What Is the 'Old Man' in Romans 6:6?

Direct Answer

The 'old man' in Romans 6:6 is the old Adamic sin nature that every person is born with.

Les Feldick identifies the 'old man' as 'old Adam,' the inborn sin nature that rules every human being before salvation. Romans 6:6 says this old man was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed and we should no longer serve sin.

Key Scriptures

Romans 6:6 — This is the exact verse where the phrase 'old man' appears and states it is crucified with Christ.

What Does Scripture Say About the Old Man?

Romans 6:6 (KJV) reads: '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.' The verse calls it 'our old man' and declares him crucified. It does not say the old man is merely weakened or reformed; it says he is crucified. The purpose of that crucifixion is that the 'body of sin' might be destroyed and that believers would no longer serve sin. Romans 6:7 (KJV) adds: 'For he that is dead is freed from sin.' This shows the old man's death results in freedom from sin's dominion. Scripture presents this as God's work, not a human achievement.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About the Old Man in Romans 6:6?

Les Feldick consistently teaches that the 'old man' is the old Adam, the sin nature that every human being is born with. He points to Ephesians 2, where Paul describes people as 'by nature disobedient' and under the control of the sin nature. According to Les, Romans 6:6 means that when Christ was crucified, that old Adam was also crucified—put to death and put out of commission. Les stresses the words 'with him' in Romans 6:6. The old man was crucified when Christ was crucified. This is not something a believer does by human effort; it is an act of God done the moment a person believes. The purpose is that the body of sin—the controlling influence of old Adam—might be destroyed, so the believer no longer serves sin.

Why Does Les Feldick Call the Old Man 'Old Adam'?

Les equates the 'old man' in Romans 6:6 with 'old Adam'—the sin nature we are born with. He says this is the nature Ephesians 2 describes, the one that made us 'by nature disobedient' and 'under the control of the sin nature.' It is not a habit or behavior pattern; it is the Adamic nature inherited from the first man.

What Does 'Crucified with Him' Mean?

For Les, the words 'with him' are the crucial part. The old Adam was crucified when Christ was crucified. Crucifixion kills. God killed the old Adam and put him out of commission so that the body of sin might be destroyed. Les also emphasizes that this entire work is an act of God, not a human accomplishment.

Why Does the Old Man Have to Be Put to Death?

According to Les, as long as old Adam is alive, he reigns as a king and controls the person. The only way to break his control is to put him to death. Once old Adam dies, he loses that control, and the believer is freed—'For he that is dead is freed from sin.'

Is This the Same Kind of Death as Physical Death?

Les distinguishes this from physical death. Physical death comes to every human being as a result of Adam's fall. The death of the old man is different—it is the crucifixion of the old Adamic nature, a work of God that places old Adam on the cross. It is not something a person does in his own strength.

From the Teaching

All Acts of God

Les explains that everything God does at salvation is an instantaneous act of God; no human effort is involved.

Old Man Defined

Les explicitly defines the old man as the sin nature, the old Adam, the nature we are born with.

Crucified with Him

Les highlights that our old Adam was crucified when Christ was, and the phrase 'with him' is crucial.

Work of God, Not Human Effort

Les clarifies that old Adam must be placed on the cross by God; humans cannot do this in themselves.

Crucifixion Kills

Les teaches that crucifixion kills, and God kills the old Adam, putting him out of commission so the body of sin is destroyed.

Born with Old Adam

Les repeats that the old man is the old Adam we are born with.

Old Adam Must Be Put to Death

Les states that the old sin nature, old Adam, was crucified and had to be put to death.

Death Breaks Adam's Control

Les explains that only by putting Adam to death can we separate from him, and once he dies he loses control over us.

Bible Verses

Romans 6:6: 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.

The key verse that names the 'old man' and states he was crucified with Christ.

Romans 6:7: For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Shows the result of the old man's death: freedom from sin's control.

Ephesians 2:3: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Paul's description of the natural condition Les links to the old Adam nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 'old man' the same as the sin nature?

Yes. Les Feldick identifies the 'old man' in Romans 6:6 as the sin nature, which he calls old Adam, the nature every person is born with.

Was the old man crucified at Calvary or at our conversion?

Les teaches the old man was crucified when Christ was crucified. He also says this was an act of God applied to the believer at the moment of salvation.

Does the old man still have power after being crucified?

Les explains that before death old Adam reigns as a king, but once he is put to death through crucifixion with Christ, he loses control over the believer.

What is the 'body of sin' in Romans 6:6?

Les says the body of sin is the controlling influence of old Adam, and it is to be destroyed or put out of commission through the crucifixion of the old man.

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Source Video

Watch the Teaching: What Does It Mean to Be Crucified With Christ?