Romans 6:5

KJV

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection:

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} if {G1487} we have been {G1096} planted together {G4854} in the likeness {G3667} of his {G846} death {G2288}, we shall be {G2071} also {G235}{G2532} in the likeness of his resurrection {G386}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Berean Standard Bible

For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.

American Standard Version

For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 6:5 profoundly articulates the believer's organic and inseparable union with Jesus Christ, asserting that just as believers have been intimately joined with Him in the spiritual reality of His death—symbolized by baptism—they are equally guaranteed to share in the power and newness of His resurrection life. This verse serves as a foundational declaration of the believer's transformed identity, moving from bondage to sin to a life empowered by Christ's victory over death, establishing the theological basis for sanctification and new living.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 6:5 is a crucial link in Paul's sustained argument in [Romans 6](/romans/6 "Romans 6 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ"), which directly addresses and refutes the antinomian misunderstanding that grace abounds where sin increases (cf. [Romans 5:20](/romans/5-20 "Romans 5:20 - Where Sin Increased, Grace Abounded")). Having established the overwhelming abundance of grace through Christ's sacrifice in [Romans 5](/romans/5 "Romans 5 - Justification by Faith"), Paul anticipates the logical question: "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" ([Romans 6:1](/romans/6-1 "Romans 6:1 - Shall We Continue in Sin?")). His emphatic "God forbid!" ([Romans 6:2](/romans/6-2 "Romans 6:2 - By No Means!")) sets the stage for explaining the radical break from sin's dominion that occurs at conversion. Verses [Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Romans 6:3-4 - Buried with Christ in Baptism") introduce baptism as the outward sign and spiritual reality of this co-death and co-burial with Christ, leading directly into verse 5, which declares the inevitable outcome: a sharing in His resurrection life. Thus, verse 5 functions as the theological bedrock for the call to "walk in newness of life" ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Walking in Newness of Life")) and to "reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" ([Romans 6:11](/romans/6-11 "Romans 6:11 - Dead to Sin, Alive to God")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, baptism (from the Greek *baptizō*, meaning "to immerse") was a common practice, used for purification rituals, initiation into mystery cults, and even in some Jewish sects (like the Qumran community). However, Christian baptism, as understood by Paul, took on a profoundly new theological significance. It was not merely a symbolic washing but a public declaration and spiritual identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. For early believers, many of whom were converts from paganism or Judaism, this act marked a definitive break from their former way of life and allegiance. Furthermore, the concept of "likeness" (Greek *homoíōma*) would have resonated with philosophical ideas of imitation or conformity, but Paul elevates it to a spiritual, ontological union, not just a moral resemblance. The Roman context, with its emphasis on legal status and allegiance, also provides a backdrop for understanding the believer's new "status" in Christ, having been transferred from the dominion of sin to the realm of righteousness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans and Pauline theology. It deeply underscores the theme of **Union with Christ**, presenting the believer's relationship with Jesus not as a distant admiration but as an organic, vital connection, likened to a plant "grown together" with another. This union is dual-faceted: **Identification with Christ's Death** means that believers spiritually participated in His crucifixion, leading to a definitive break from the power and dominion of sin, as explored in [Romans 6:6-7](/romans/6-6-7 "Romans 6:6-7 - Our Old Self Crucified"). Consequently, the verse highlights **Participation in Christ's Resurrection**, asserting that this co-death guarantees a sharing in His resurrection power and life. This participation is both a present reality, enabling believers to live a **New Life in Christ** freed from sin's bondage (cf. [Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Walking in Newness of Life")), and a future hope, culminating in bodily resurrection (cf. [Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - Spirit Gives Life to Mortal Bodies")). The entire chapter of [Romans 6](/romans/6 "Romans 6 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ") is dedicated to explaining the practical implications of this profound theological reality.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **planted together (Greek, _sýmphytos'_):** From G4854, meaning "grown along with (connate), i.e. (figuratively) closely united to." This is a powerful botanical metaphor, suggesting an organic, inseparable union. It implies a deep, vital connection, much like two plants whose roots have intertwined or a graft that has successfully taken hold, making them one living entity. This word emphasizes the intimate and real nature of the believer's spiritual union with Christ.
* **likeness (Greek, _homoíōma'_):** From G3667, meaning "a form; abstractly, resemblance." This term signifies not an identical replication, but a true and genuine correspondence or similitude. In the context of Christ's death, it means that while believers do not physically die on a cross, they spiritually participate in the *nature* and *effect* of His death—death to sin. Similarly, their resurrection life is in the *likeness* of His, sharing in its power and newness, though not yet in its full glorified state.
* **resurrection (Greek, _anástasis'_):** From G386, meaning "a standing up again, i.e. (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive case or by implication, (its author)), or (figuratively) a (moral) recovery (of spiritual truth)." This word encompasses both the physical raising of Christ from the dead and the spiritual new life believers experience now, as well as the future bodily resurrection. It signifies a triumph over death and a new existence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death,"**: The conjunction "for" (G1063, *gár*) introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding statements about baptism and walking in newness of life. The phrase "planted together" (G4854, *sýmphytos*) uses a vivid botanical metaphor to describe the profound, organic, and inseparable union between believers and Christ. This union is "in the likeness" (G3667, *homoíōma*) of His death, indicating that while believers do not experience a physical crucifixion, they spiritually participate in the decisive break from the power and dominion of sin that Christ's death accomplished. This co-death is a spiritual reality, made effective by faith, signifying the end of the old life under sin's reign.
* **"we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection:"**: This clause presents the glorious, guaranteed consequence of the believer's union with Christ in His death. The future tense "shall be" (G2071, *ésomai*) emphasizes the certainty of this outcome. Just as the union with His death is in "likeness," so too is the union with His resurrection. This means believers will certainly share in the power, victory, and newness of Christ's resurrected life. This participation is twofold: a present reality of living a life free from sin's bondage and empowered by the Spirit, and a future hope of bodily resurrection and glorification. The "also" (G2532, *kaí*) highlights the direct correspondence and inseparable nature of these two aspects of the believer's union with Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in Romans 6:5 to convey profound theological truths. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically the botanical imagery of being "planted together" (*sýmphytos*). This vivid image of roots intertwining or a graft taking hold effectively communicates an organic, inseparable, and vital union between the believer and Christ, far beyond mere imitation or association. This metaphor underscores the depth of spiritual reality. Additionally, Paul utilizes **Parallelism** to structure his argument, presenting a clear "if... then..." relationship: if union in death, then union in resurrection. This balanced structure emphasizes the inseparable nature of these two aspects of Christ's work and the believer's experience. Finally, the repeated use of **Likeness** (*homoíōma*) serves as a crucial qualifier. It clarifies that while the believer's experience is genuinely united with Christ's, it is a spiritual participation in the *nature* and *effect* of His death and resurrection, rather than an identical physical replication. This device allows for the spiritual reality of co-crucifixion and co-resurrection without literal physical death and resurrection in the same manner as Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 6:5 is a cornerstone for understanding the believer's new identity in Christ, moving beyond mere justification to the process of sanctification. It asserts that our justification by faith (declared righteous) is inextricably linked to a spiritual transformation (made righteous). This verse highlights that the same divine power that raised Christ from the dead is now at work in believers, enabling them to live a new life free from the dominion of sin. It underscores the profound truth that our union with Christ is not merely forensic (legal declaration) but also ontological (a change in being). This shared death and resurrection with Christ forms the basis for breaking sin's power in daily life, allowing believers to walk in newness of life and pursue righteousness, reflecting the very life of the resurrected Christ.

* [Colossians 2:12](/colossians/2-12 "Colossians 2:12 - Buried and Raised with Christ")
* [Galatians 2:20](/galatians/2-20 "Galatians 2:20 - Crucified with Christ, Living by Faith")
* [Philippians 3:10](/philippians/3-10 "Philippians 3:10 - Knowing Christ and the Power of His Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 6:5 calls us to a radical reorientation of our understanding of self and sin. If we have truly been "planted together" with Christ in His death, it means the old self, enslaved to sin, has been decisively dealt with. We are no longer defined by our past failures or the power of sin, but by our new identity in Christ. This truth liberates us from the despair of repeated sin and empowers us to live righteously. It's not about trying harder to be good, but about recognizing who we are in Christ and living from that reality. The "likeness of his resurrection" means we have access to His life-giving power *now*. This power enables us to overcome temptation, cultivate spiritual disciplines, and walk in obedience. Living in light of this verse means actively reckoning ourselves dead to sin and alive to God, consciously choosing to yield our members as instruments of righteousness rather than unrighteousness. It is a call to continuous transformation, empowered by the Spirit who raised Christ from the dead.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding your "planted together" union with Christ's death change your perspective on your struggle with sin?**
* **In what practical ways can you "walk in the likeness of His resurrection" in your daily life this week?**
* **What specific areas of your life need to be more fully surrendered to the reality of your death to sin and new life in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Does the "likeness" in Romans 6:5 imply that our death and resurrection with Christ are not real, but merely symbolic?**

Answer: No, the "likeness" (Greek *homoíōma*) does not imply that the spiritual reality is any less real; rather, it clarifies the *nature* of the union. It signifies a genuine correspondence and participation, not a mere symbolic act or a literal, identical replication of Christ's physical experience. When we are "planted together in the likeness of his death," it means we spiritually participate in the decisive break from sin's dominion that Christ's death achieved. Our old self is genuinely crucified with Him ([Romans 6:6](/romans/6-6 "Our Old Man Crucified")), leading to a true freedom from sin's mastery. Similarly, our participation in His resurrection is a real, spiritual impartation of new life and power, enabling us to walk "in newness of life" ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Walking in Newness of Life")). While Christ's physical death and resurrection are unique and historical, our union with them is a profound spiritual reality that transforms our identity and empowers our daily living.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 6:5 finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the prototype and source of this profound spiritual reality. Christ's death was not merely an event but a substitutionary act that dealt a decisive blow to the power of sin and death. His resurrection was the triumphant vindication of His sacrifice and the inauguration of a new creation. In Him, the believer's death to sin and new life in righteousness are made possible. Christ is the "firstfruits" of those who sleep ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ the Firstfruits")), and because He lives, we also shall live ([John 14:19](/john/14-19 "John 14:19 - Because I Live, You Also Will Live")). Our "planted together" union with Him means that His victory over sin and death is imputed to us and worked out in us. He is the "new man" ([Ephesians 4:24](/ephesians/4-24 "Ephesians 4:24 - Put on the New Man")), and by being "in Christ," believers become "a new creature" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Thus, Romans 6:5 powerfully declares that the believer's transformation is not merely an imitation of Christ, but a participation in His very life, flowing directly from His finished work on the cross and His glorious resurrection. He is the Vine, and we are the branches, drawing life from Him ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - I Am the Vine")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Philippians 3:10

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Philippians 3:11

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

2 Corinthians 4:10

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Colossians 2:12

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Romans 6:8

Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

Romans 6:12

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

Colossians 3:1

¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.