(12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, ha. * Seeing that the design and nature of the gospel are such as stated in the pre- ceding section, those who profess to have embraced that system, or to be united to Christ, should show the evidence of their union by holiness of life.' To reign, of course, signifies to exercise uncontrolled autho- rity. The exhortation is, that Christians should not recognise or yield to this authority of sin. The words mortal body admit of various interpre- tations. They may be a mere paraphrase for you, ' Let not sin reign in you.' So, in the next verse, your members may stand for yourselves. 2. Others take the word mortal in the same figurative sense in which the word dead is used, i. e. for corrupt. But, in this sense, mortal nowhere else occurs. 3. Others again take body, in the sense o^ flesh, for corrupt nature. But this also is contrary to usage. It is most proba- ble, therefore, that the words are to be retained in their literal and proper meaning. " Let not sin reign in or over your body." This includes the idea that the body is the instrument of sin ; or that it is by the ac- tions of the body that the existence and dominion of indwelling sin is, in a great measure, manifested ; and especially that a great part of sin consists in yielding to the appetites or desires of the body. This latter idea is clearly expressed in the following clause, that ye should obey it (sin) in the lusts thereof (the body). We should not allow sin to reign ; that is, we should not obey it, by yielding to the desires of the body.
(13) Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, &c. The word rendered to yield unto means, to give up to the use and control of; see Matt. 26 ; 53. The word members includes the faculties of the mind as well as the members of the body ; compare Col. 3 : 5, "Mortify your members which are upon the earth," &c. The expression is a paraphrase for yourselves ; which word is substituted for it in the next clause. There is, however, an obvious reference to the preceding verse and the expression your body. The exhortation, there- fore, is not to yield ourselves up to sin as instruments for doing evil. The word rendered instruments, though it most frequently means arms, is used for implements of any kind and for any purpose.
But yield yourselves unto God, give yourselves up to the use and con- trol of God. As those that are alive from the dead. This clause, which is descriptive both of the state and character of believers, is evidently derived from the preceding representation of Christians as being dead with Christ unto sin, and living with him unto God. They are required to act as those who are partakers of the life of Christ; as those whom God has quickened and made to sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus, Eph. 2 : 5, 6. And your members, your faculties of mind