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Romans 6:4

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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.

Therefore {G3767} we are buried with {G4916} him {G846} by {G1223} baptism {G908} into {G1519} death {G2288}: that {G2443} like as {G5618} Christ {G5547} was raised up {G1453} from {G1537} the dead {G3498} by {G1223} the glory {G1391} of the Father {G3962}, even so {G3779} we {G2249} also {G2532} should walk {G4043} in {G1722} newness {G2538} of life {G2222}.

Through immersion into his death we were buried with him; so that just as, through the glory of the Father, the Messiah was raised from the dead, likewise we too might live a new life.

We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.

We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.

Commentary

Romans 6:4 is a foundational verse in Paul's explanation of the believer's relationship with sin and the new life in Christ, often symbolized by baptism.

Context

This verse is part of Paul's response to the hypothetical question posed in Romans 6:1: "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" He emphatically states that believers, having died to sin (Romans 6:2), cannot continue living in it. Verse 3 introduces the concept of being baptized into Christ's death. Romans 6:4 builds upon this, explaining the purpose and outcome of this identification with Christ's death and burial—leading to a spiritual resurrection and a new way of life.

Key Themes

  • Identification with Christ: The verse highlights the believer's profound union with Christ, sharing in His death, burial, and resurrection.
  • Baptism as Symbol: Baptism serves as a powerful, visible representation of this spiritual reality—the immersion symbolizing burial with Christ's death and the emergence symbolizing resurrection to new life.
  • Freedom from Sin's Reign: Being "buried with him into death" signifies the believer's break from the dominion and power of sin in their life.
  • Newness of Life: Just as Christ was raised by the Father's power, believers are spiritually raised to walk in a fundamentally new way of living, marked by righteousness and obedience to God.

Linguistic Insights

The word translated "baptism" (Greek: baptisma, related to the verb baptizō used in verse 3) inherently involves immersion or identification. To be "buried with him by baptism into death" means that through this spiritual identification (symbolized by water baptism), the believer is united with Christ in His death to the extent of being buried with Him. "Newness" (Greek: kainotēs) denotes something qualitatively new and different, not merely recent. It describes a fresh, transformed existence empowered by God.

Reflection and Application

Romans 6:4 provides deep insight into the believer's standing before God and their capability for righteous living. It teaches that our ability to overcome sin isn't based on self-effort but on our spiritual union with Christ's completed work on the cross. Our baptism (whether water baptism as an outward sign or the inner spiritual reality) signifies this death to the old self and resurrection to a new life. The call to "walk in newness of life" is an exhortation to live consistently with this new identity and reality, empowered by the same divine "glory of the Father" that raised Christ (compare with Romans 8:11). It encourages believers to continually yield to God and live out the freedom from sin purchased by Christ.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 (43 votes)

    Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

  • Colossians 3:10 (33 votes)

    And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

  • Ephesians 4:22 (27 votes)

    That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

  • Ephesians 4:24 (27 votes)

    And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

  • Romans 7:6 (24 votes)

    But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not [in] the oldness of the letter.

  • 1 Peter 3:21 (21 votes)

    ¶ The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

  • Romans 6:9 (19 votes)

    Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.