To address the claim that Romans 6:7 and Romans 6:23 support Jehovah’s
Witnesses' teaching that sins committed in this life are wiped clean at death
and that future judgment will be based solely on deeds performed after
resurrection, a more in-depth examination of the biblical text and context is
necessary.
1. Romans 6:7 – A
Misinterpretation of Spiritual Death
Jehovah’s Witnesses interpret Romans 6:7 as implying that a person’s
physical death wipes away their sins: “For he who has died has been
acquitted from sin.” The Watchtower Society teaches that this
applies to all humanity, suggesting that physical death erases one’s sinful
record, providing a “clean slate” at resurrection. However, this interpretation
misreads the intent of Paul’s letter and its context.
Paul’s discussion in Romans 6 is focused on spiritual death to sin,
not physical death. The surrounding verses, such as Romans 6:4, explain that
believers have been “buried with [Christ] through baptism into death”
and should “walk in newness of life.” This clearly indicates a spiritual
transformation—a death to the old sinful self through baptism and a rebirth
into new life in Christ. The death mentioned in Romans 6:7 is not a physical
death that wipes sins away, but a symbolic, spiritual death that signifies freedom
from the power of sin for those united with Christ. This is confirmed by
earlier verses like Romans 6:2, where Paul asks, “How shall we who died to
sin still live in it?” This shows that Paul is addressing believers who are
spiritually dead to sin.
2. Romans 6:23 – The
Consequences of Sin
Romans 6:23 further reinforces this interpretation: “For the wages of sin
is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This verse contrasts eternal death (as the result of sin) with eternal
life (as the gift of God through Christ). It doesn’t suggest that death
automatically acquits one of sin; rather, it highlights that only through
Christ can one receive eternal life. Physical death alone does not erase the
guilt of sin, as the gift of salvation and acquittal from sin comes only through
union with Christ.
3. Hebrews 9:27 – Judgment
After Death
Jehovah’s Witnesses’ interpretation of Romans 6:7 contradicts Hebrews
9:27, which states, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but
after this the judgment.” This verse explicitly teaches that judgment
follows death, indicating that death does not erase sins or provide a clean
slate. Instead, individuals are accountable for their deeds in life, and
judgment is rendered after death.
It’s important to note that the New World Translation (NWT) of the
Jehovah's Witnesses misleadingly translates this verse: “And just as it is
reserved for men to die once for all time, but after this to receive a
judgment”. The
phrase “for all time” is not present in the original Greek. Most mainstream
Bible translations such as the New International Version (NIV)
or English Standard Version (ESV)
translate the verse more plainly: "Just as people are destined to die
once, and after that to face judgment." The inclusion of “for all
time” in the NWT adds a layer of meaning that is not inherent in the
original text, potentially suggesting an extended, indefinite period before
final judgment, a teaching aligned with their belief in progressive judgment during the millennial reign.
In traditional translations, Hebrews 9:27 is understood as
stating that after death, all humans will face immediate judgment for their
actions during their earthly life. For example, the NIV says: "...after that to face
judgment." The NWT rendering, "to
receive a judgment," seems to subtly imply an expectation of a future,
unspecified judgment, rather than a definitive, once-for-all evaluation. This
change shifts the emphasis away from the traditional Christian teaching of a
single final judgment after death, toward a more continuous or phased process,
which matches the Watchtower’s doctrine
that individuals may have the opportunity to prove themselves worthy in a
post-resurrection period.
The original Greek for Hebrews 9:27 is: „kai kath’ hoson
apokeitai tois anthropois hapax apothanein, meta de touto krisis”. Translated
literally, this means: “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once,
and after this, judgment.” There is no mention of the added phrases like “for
all time” or “to receive a judgment” as found in the NWT.
Hebrews 9:27 clearly establishes a one-time
death followed by immediate judgment. The NWT translation of Hebrews 9:27 misrepresents the
immediate, once-for-all nature of human judgment after death, aligning instead
with Jehovah’s Witnesses' unique theology. In contrast, the broader Christian
understanding, based on a more accurate reading of the original Greek and
supported by other scriptural passages like 2 Corinthians 5:10 and Revelation
20:12, affirms that individuals are judged immediately
after death for the deeds they committed in this life, not for post-resurrection actions or
during some indefinite future judgment period. This is an essential point in
rejecting the Jehovah's Witnesses’ interpretation
that physical death "wipes the slate clean" and that judgment is
based solely on post-resurrection deeds.
4. 2 Corinthians 5:10 –
Accountability for Deeds in This Life
2 Corinthians 5:10 further
refutes the idea that one’s sins are wiped clean by death, stating, “For we
must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may
receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
This verse emphasizes that individuals will be judged based on their actions during
their lifetime—what was done “in the body.” It does not support the notion
that post-resurrection deeds alone determine one’s judgment. Instead, the Bible
clearly teaches that everyone is accountable for their deeds during their
earthly life, and judgment will be based on these deeds, not on
post-resurrection actions.
5. Revelation 20 and the
Misinterpretation of the “Books”
Jehovah’s Witnesses also misinterpret Revelation 20:12, which speaks
of books being opened and the dead being judged according to their deeds. They
claim that these “books” contain new laws or instructions for the resurrected
to follow, allowing them to earn life through post-resurrection deeds. However,
this is a misreading of the text.
Revelation 20:12 says, “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing
before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which
is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books,
according to what they had done.” The books in this passage contain
records of deeds committed in this life, not laws or instructions for
the resurrected. The “book of life” determines who has received eternal
life based on their faith in Christ, while the other books record the deeds of
the dead, based on which they are judged. Nowhere does this passage
suggest that individuals are judged based on post-resurrection deeds, nor that
death erases past sins.
6. The Necessity of Christ’s
Atonement
Finally, the Watchtower’s teaching that personal death provides
acquittal of sin diminishes the significance of Christ’s atonement. The
Bible repeatedly emphasizes that only the sacrifice of Christ can bring
forgiveness of sins. 1 John 1:7 states, “The blood of Jesus, his Son,
purifies us from all sin.” Similarly, Romans 5:9 declares that we
are “justified by His blood.” It is through Christ’s sacrifice alone
that sins are forgiven, not through personal death. The Watchtower’s
doctrine undermines this essential Christian teaching, implying that death
can accomplish what only Christ’s sacrifice can truly do.
Conclusion
The Jehovah’s Witnesses' interpretation of Romans 6:7 and Romans
6:23 is deeply flawed and inconsistent with the broader teaching of
Scripture. Romans 6:7 refers to spiritual death to sin for
believers through union with Christ, not to physical death erasing sins. Romans
6:23 contrasts the consequences of sin with the gift of eternal life
through Christ, not implying that death itself wipes away sin. Moreover, Hebrews
9:27, 2 Corinthians 5:10, and Revelation 20:12 all affirm
that judgment follows death and is based on one’s deeds in life, not on
post-resurrection actions. Ultimately, it is Christ’s atonement alone
that provides forgiveness, not physical death.
