'crucified with Him'; 'like as Christ'; and 'the likeness' of His death.

Union with Christ is the very essence of sanctification:

'For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are All Of

One ... as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also

Himself likewise took part of the same' (Heb. 2:11-14).

He was made 'in the likeness of men' (Phil. 2:7).

We have seen that sanctification has a sphere -- 'newness of life', and

a condition -- 'unity with the likeness of His death and resurrection'; we

now proceed to the consideration of a third feature, a state -- 'liberty'.

Verse 6, where our study is resumed, ends with the words: 'that

henceforth we should not serve sin'.  From this point to the close of the

chapter we have many references to 'servants' (literally 'slaves') who were

once under an awful dominion, but are now 'free'.  With chapter 7 comes a

change of figure, from that of a slave to that of a married woman under the

law, who is set 'free' from her marriage and all its obligations by the death

of her husband.  This is appropriately brought to a conclusion in verse 6

with service 'in newness of spirit'.

The following passages will help us to see how prominently 'freedom'

and 'servitude' figure in these chapters; in each case one of the verbal

forms of eleutheros is used:

'Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of

righteousness' (Rom. 6:18).

'For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness'

'But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God' (6:22).

'If her husband be dead, she is free from that law' (7:3).

'For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free

from the law of sin and death' (8:2).

'Because the creature itself also shall be set free from the bondage of

corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God' (8:21

author's translation).

We must now look at the various derivations of the word translated

'That henceforth we should not serve sin' (Rom. 6:6).

'Servants to obey, his servants ye are' (6:16).

'Ye were the servants of sin' (6:17).

'Ye became the servants of righteousness' (6:18).

'Servants to uncleanness ... servants to righteousness unto

holiness' (6:19).

'When ye were the servants of sin' (6:20).

'Now ... (having) become servants to God' (6:22).

'We should serve in newness of spirit' (7:6).

'With the mind I myself serve the law of God' (7 25).

'Ye have not received the spirit of bondage' (8:15).

'Shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption' (8:21).