Romans 6:3

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

{G2228} Know ye not {G50}, that so {G3754} many of us {G3745} as were baptized {G907} into {G1519} Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547} were baptized {G907} into {G1519} his {G846} death {G2288}?

Don’t you know that those of us who have been immersed into the Messiah Yeshua have been immersed into his death?

Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

Commentary

Romans 6:3 (KJV): "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?"

Context

This verse is part of Paul's argument in Romans chapter 6, which addresses the question raised at the end of chapter 5: "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1). Paul emphatically answers no, explaining that because believers have been united with Christ, their relationship with sin has fundamentally changed. Romans 6:3 introduces the concept of baptism as a symbol and participation in this union, specifically linking it to Christ's death.

Key Themes

  • Baptism and Identification with Christ: The verse highlights that Christian baptism signifies a deep identification with Jesus Christ. It's not merely a ritual but a powerful illustration of a spiritual reality.
  • Union with Christ's Death: The core message is that being "baptized into Jesus Christ" means being "baptized into his death." This signifies a spiritual death to the old way of life dominated by sin, mirroring Christ's physical death that broke the power of sin. This union is foundational to the believer's ability to live a new life. This concept of dying with Christ is central to Christian experience.
  • Breaking the Power of Sin: By being united with Christ in His death, believers are freed from the dominion of sin. The old self that was enslaved to sin died with Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "baptized" is baptizo (βαπτίζω), which fundamentally means to immerse, dip, or wash. In this context, it carries the sense of being fully immersed or identified with Christ's experience, specifically His death. The phrase "into Jesus Christ" (εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν, eis Christon Iesoun) implies a movement towards or union with Christ, reinforcing the idea of identification.

Reflection

Romans 6:3 challenges believers to understand the profound reality of their baptism. It's a spiritual declaration and experience of having died to sin's power through union with Christ in His death. This truth provides the basis for living a life free from sin's mastery, as Paul elaborates throughout the rest of the chapter. Because we died with Him, we are also raised to walk in newness of life.

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Cross-References

  • Galatians 3:27 (23 votes)

    For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

  • Galatians 2:20 (19 votes)

    I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

  • Galatians 2:21 (19 votes)

    I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

  • Romans 6:8 (15 votes)

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

  • 1 Corinthians 12:13 (12 votes)

    For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

  • Romans 6:4 (11 votes)

    Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

  • Romans 6:5 (11 votes)

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