Death Could Not Hold Him: The Victory of Christ in Romans 6:9

"We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him." — Romans 6:9 (ESV)

One of the most glorious truths in all of Scripture is the absolute victory of Jesus Christ over sin and death. When Paul declares in Romans 6:9 that Christ will “never die again” and that “death no longer has dominion over Him,” he is making a statement that not only speaks to the resurrection of Christ but also to the eternal security of those who belong to Him.

This is not merely a theological abstraction. This is the foundation of the Christian life. The resurrection of Christ is not just proof of His divinity—it is the guarantee of our own triumph over sin. If we are united to Him, then the grip of death is broken for us as well. The resurrection is not just history; it is power.

The Death of Death in the Death of Christ

John Owen famously wrote a book titled The Death of Death in the Death of Christ, a phrase that perfectly summarizes the meaning of Romans 6:9. Death is no longer a master. The dominion it held over mankind since the fall—wielding fear, corruption, and judgment—has been crushed under the weight of Christ’s victory.

Death could not hold Him because Christ’s sacrifice was perfect. Unlike the Old Testament sacrifices, which had to be repeated year after year, Christ’s atoning work was final (Hebrews 10:10). His resurrection was the Father’s divine declaration that justice had been satisfied. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), but Christ paid that debt in full.

This is why the t-shirt design at 5 Alone Threads is such a powerful statement of biblical truth. Death Could Not Hold Him is not just a phrase—it is the entire hope of the believer. Christ did not stay in the grave. And if we are in Christ, neither will we.

Union with Christ: The Power Over Sin

For the believer, Romans 6:9 is not just a declaration about Christ—it is a reality that transforms us. Paul’s argument in Romans 6 is that we have been united with Christ in both His death and His resurrection (Romans 6:5). This means that just as death no longer has dominion over Him, sin no longer has dominion over us (Romans 6:14).

This is where many modern Christians falter. We affirm Christ’s victory but live as if sin still holds the throne. The Reformers, echoing Scripture, remind us that our sanctification flows from this union with Christ. John Piper puts it this way:

“The power of sin to damn you and destroy you is gone. Christ is risen, and by faith in Him, you are risen.”

This is why we do not “continue in sin that grace may abound” (Romans 6:1). The believer is not just forgiven—he is transformed. Christ’s resurrection ensures not only our justification but also our sanctification. If Christ has been raised never to die again, then we, too, walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).

Living as Those Who Cannot Be Held by Death

Voddie Baucham often reminds us that the Christian life is one of warfare. The battle against sin is real, but the outcome has already been determined. Because Christ has triumphed over death, we fight from victory, not for victory. The resurrection guarantees that no matter how dark the battle, the light has already won.

Wearing a shirt that proclaims Death Could Not Hold Him is not just about making a statement. It’s about declaring your allegiance. It’s about remembering that Christ’s triumph is your triumph.

When the world sees a Christian standing firm in holiness, unmoved by fear, and unshaken by the threats of this dying world, it sees the evidence of Romans 6:9 at work.

So, Christian, live in light of this truth. Christ is risen. Death has no hold on Him. And because you are in Him, it has no hold on you.

Soli Deo Gloria.

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