The Mortification of Sin

by John Owen

Putting to death is the killing of the indwelling sin remaining in our mortal bodies so that it doesn’t have life or power to bring forth the deeds of the body. “If…you put to death” is a metaphorical expression that is supposed to make us think of killing anything that’s alive. To kill a man, or any other living thing, is to take away the force that gives him all his strength, vigor, and power, so that he can’t take any action or do anything – that is, he’s dead. So it is here. Indwelling sin is compared to a person, a living person, called the “old self,” with his abilities, attributes, wisdom, skill, subtlety, and strength. This, Paul says, must be killed – put to death – that is, to have the power, life force, vigor and strength it needs to produce its effects destroyed and taken away by the Holy Spirit. Sin has already been killed meritoriously and by example when Christ died on the cross. That is, its ability to