Paul emphasizes both truths to show that God alone accomplishes justification and the death of old Adam.
Neither justification nor the death of the old sin nature can be produced by human works. Justification is a judicial decree of God that restores the believer as Adam was before the fall, and old Adam is crucified with Christ at the moment of belief. Old Adam, however, remains an influence experientially, so Paul teaches the believer to keep it under control.
Romans 6:6 — This verse states directly that our old man is crucified with Christ, showing the death of the sinful nature is God's work, not human effort.
Romans 5:16 — Paul links the free gift to justification, showing that justification comes by God's gift rather than by works.
The Bible directly connects justification and the death of the old man. Romans 6:6 states, "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." Verse 7 adds, "For he that is dead is freed from sin." Galatians 2:20 says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Scripture also connects justification to the free gift. Romans 5:16 says "the free gift is of many offences unto justification," and Romans 6:23 says "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Les Feldick stresses that Paul's repetition of these truths is meant to keep believers from ever adding human effort to what God has done. In Romans, Paul hammers the word "justification" so no one forgets that believers are justified by a judicial decree of Almighty God. Once a person believes the gospel, God sees him in Christ on the cross and restores him as Adam was before the fall. This is a declaration, not something earned. At the same time, Paul confronts the old Adam. Les defines old Adam as the Adamic nature every child of Adam inherits—a nature bent to rebellion. Scripture says that old man is crucified with Christ; God reckons him dead from the moment of belief. But experientially old Adam remains an influence in the believer's life, so Paul's teaching is that the believer must not give in to old Adam but keep it under control. Les also clarifies that being "not under the law" does not mean the Ten Commandments are thrown away; they are simply not a criterion for salvation, and believers are not under Israel's legalistic system. This is why Paul's emphasis falls on faith and on the death of the old man: both are God's work alone.
Les Feldick explains that Paul is hammering home the word "justification" throughout Romans, keeping it on the board for multiple programs. Justification is a judicial decree of Almighty God: because the person believes the gospel, God can restore him back as Adam was before he fell. This restoration does not mean the believer never sins; it means God has made compensation through Christ's advocacy at the Father's right hand.
Les says every child of Adam is born with an Adamic nature that is bent to rebellion. That old Adamic nature holds control over the sinner until he is put to death. The only way to be freed from old Adam is to have him crucified—which happens with Christ when a person believes. Once crucified, old Adam loses his power over daily behavior, though he remains an influence experientially. Paul's command is not to give in to old Adam but to keep the body under control.
Les says "we're not under the law" must be understood carefully. The Ten Commandments are not verboten or cast aside; they are simply not a criterion for salvation, and believers are not under them as Israel was under the legalistic priesthood and sacrifices. The law's basic tenets still establish a good society, but they cannot save.
Paul's repetition of justification, the crucifixion of old Adam, and freedom from the law all point to one fact: spiritual transformation cannot be produced by human effort. Justification is a judicial decree on the part of God, and the death of old Adam is something God does in Christ. The believer simply lives by the faithfulness of Christ day by day.
The Law Is Not a Criterion for Salvation
Les clarifies that being not under the law does not discard the Ten Commandments; it only removes them as a criterion for salvation and from Israel's legalistic system.
Old Adam Crucified but Still an Influence
Les teaches that at the moment of belief God sees the believer in Christ on the cross; old Adam is declared dead, yet still remains an influence in the Christian life.
Crucified With Christ and Living by Faith
Les explains that old Adam's power over daily behavior is broken, and the believer now lives by the faithfulness of Christ.
The Adamic Nature Every Child Inherits
Les defines the 'old man' as the Adamic nature that every child of Adam is born with, bent to rebellion.
Our Old Man Crucified With Christ
Les shows from Romans 6:6 that when a person believes the gospel, the old Adamic sin nature is crucified with Christ.
Keep Old Adam Under Control
Les stresses that although God reckons old Adam dead, the believer still must keep the body under control rather than giving in to old Adam.
Freedom Comes by Death
Les teaches that the only way to separate from the old Adamic nature is to put Adam to death; once dead, he loses control, fulfilling Romans 6:7.
Justification by Judicial Decree
Les explains that Paul is hammering the word justification so believers remember they are declared righteous by God's judicial decree and restored as Adam before the fall.
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.
This is the central verse connecting the death of old Adam to Christ's crucifixion.
Romans 6:7: For he that is dead is freed from sin.
This explains why the death of old Adam brings freedom from sin's control.
Galatians 2:20: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Paul personally describes the experience of being crucified with Christ and living by His faithfulness.
Romans 5:16: And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
This shows that justification comes through the free gift, not through human merit.
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
This contrasts what serves sin earns with what God freely gives through Christ.
Romans 7:17: Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Paul identifies the indwelling sin nature, which Les Feldick equates with old Adam.
Yes. Les Feldick says old Adam is the old Adamic nature that every child of Adam is born with, and he calls it the sin nature from Ephesians 2. Scripture calls it 'our old man' in Romans 6:6. It is the source of rebellion that must be crucified with Christ.
No. Les Feldick says justification restores the believer as Adam was before the fall, but 'we're still going to sin.' Old Adam remains an influence experientially even though God reckons him dead, so the believer must keep him under control.
Paul means believers are not under the Ten Commandments as a criterion for salvation nor under Israel's legalistic system. The Commandments are not cast aside—they are simply not the way to be made right with God.
Watch the Teaching: The Wages of Sin vs. the Gift of God — Romans 6:23 Explained