Why was the old man crucified with Christ?
The old man (the Adamic nature) was crucified with Christ because God decreed it must die, and so that the body of sin—the controlling factor of old Adam—might be destroyed or put out of commission. That nature had already sinned before we knew what was what.
Les explains that the old man is the old Adam, the Adamic nature every child of Adam is born with, which is bent to rebellion. He illustrates that even a sweet, innocent newborn will sin as soon as they can, showing fits of anger, lying, or bad language without being taught, because the old nature is present. That nature has already sinned before we are old enough to know what's what. So God's decree is that it must die. Romans 6:6 declares our old man is crucified, put to death, died with Christ, so that the body of sin—the controlling factor of old Adam—might be destroyed or put out of commission.
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
What does it mean to be crucified with Christ?
To be crucified with Christ means God has reckoned believers as put to death in Christ. Crucifixion only puts to death, and because every sinner must die under God's law, Christ died in our place. Believers experience that same death in Him, which is called substitution.
What does it mean that our 'old man' was crucified with Christ?
The old man being crucified with Christ means the old man was put to death, killed, just as crucifixion kills. This death is a planting in the likeness of Christ's death, guaranteeing that we shall also share in the likeness of His resurrection, as shown in verse 6 and John 12.
More Questions
What does it mean that our old man is crucified with Christ in Romans 6:6?
Our old man was crucified with Christ, and crucifixion puts to death, so the old man is killed.