1 WHAT shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we [ Paul is speaking here. ] are buried with him by baptism into death: [ "are buried" immersed. What Is the Symbolism of Baptism? “Baptism cannot be by any other means than immersion of the entire body in water, for the following reasons: “1. It is in the similitude of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and of all others who have received the resurrection. “2. Baptism is also a birth and is performed in the similitude of the birth of a child into this world. “3. Baptism is not only a figure of the resurrection, but also is literally a transplanting or resurrection from one life to another. …” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:323–24.)] that like as Christ was raised up from the dead [ We come up out of the font with a newness of life. Or we laid down the old person to death and came forth a new person. ] by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, [ Baptism is put upon us in the likeness of the death of the Savior(to be buried in the earth, so then the water represents the dirt, it is not there to cleanse us, but to bury us). For this reason the font is usually below ground to represent the grave. (D&C 76:51)] we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [ So that we might come forth like the Savior in resurrection. ]

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, [ Or the one who had not made a covenant to be obedient and change his character. ] that the body of sin might be destroyed, [ So baptism is a burial of the old man, of his sins. So the immersion is that the entire body is placed under the earth, it is not that the water cleanses the body, but that the sins are buried in the earth. (vs 5) Recall the story of the flood with Noah. ] that henceforth we should not serve sin. [ That we will change our character. Alma said in Mosiah 18 If you want to live the law of the gospel then what do you have against being baptized as a witness before God that you are willing to do so. ]

7  For he that is dead [ Or the one who has laid the old person down. vs 6. ] is freed from sin.

8 Now if we be dead with Christ, [ If he laid the old man down in a spirit to change his character. ] we believe that we shall also live with him: [ Then the atonement/resurrection will take over for that person. Or we will live like him. ]

9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. [ In our baptismal covenant we are doing all that we can to become like he is, to have a character like he does. ]

11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. [ So this then is the purpose of this baptism, or re-baptism for some since they were baptised unto John. Exercising faith unto the change of character, and then we enter into a covenant internally and externally to follow God and that covenant is aided by the gift of the Holy Ghost.]

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, [ What master do you submit your character too. To whom you yield you will become. ] his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. [ You worked to change your character to become righteous. ]

19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. [ You did not walk in a righteous way, your were un-righteous. ]

21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. [ Or since you changed your character, those sins are dead to you they no longer apply to you. ]

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, [ Or your righteous character gives you forgiviness of sins in the past. ] and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.