What did Paul teach in Romans 6 about how justification was accomplished?
Paul taught in Romans 6 that justification was fully accomplished when Christ died on the cross, was buried, and rose again. This enlarged the justification by faith theme already established in Romans 4 and 5, where Abraham believed God, righteousness was accounted to him, and believers justified by faith have peace with God.
Les teaches that Romans 6 comes after Paul has already proven the whole race utterly sinful and rebellious in the first three chapters, concluding that all have sinned and come short in glory, with no difference among the gross immoral person, the moral person, and the religious person. Les then traces Paul's argument: chapter 4 lays out justification by faith, as Abraham believed God and it was accounted unto him for righteousness; chapter 5 declares, "therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God"; and chapter 6 enlarges on justification, showing it was all accomplished when Christ died on that cross, was buried, and rose again. Only after that does Paul move into chapter 7, where he explains the dilemma and cries, "Oh wretch that I am!"