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Romans 6:8

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

Now {G1161} if {G1487} we be dead {G599} with {G4862} Christ {G5547}, we believe {G4100} that {G3754} we shall {G4800} also {G2532} live {G4800} with him {G846}:

Now since we died with the Messiah, we trust that we will also live with him.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.

But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him;

Commentary

Romans 6:8 (KJV): "Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:"

Context

This verse is part of Paul's extended argument in Romans chapter 6, building upon the declaration of justification by faith in chapter 5. Having established that grace abounds where sin increased, Paul addresses the potential misunderstanding that believers might continue in sin so that grace might increase (Romans 6:1). He forcefully rejects this idea, explaining that believers have been fundamentally changed through their identification with Christ's death and resurrection. Baptism is used as a picture of this spiritual reality – dying to sin and being raised to walk in newness of life. Verse 8 reinforces this spiritual union, stating the consequence of being "dead with Christ."

Key Themes

  • Identification with Christ: The core idea is the believer's spiritual union with Jesus Christ, specifically in His death and resurrection. Our death to sin is linked to His death.
  • Death to Sin: Being "dead with Christ" means the power and dominion of sin over the believer's life have been broken. The old self, enslaved to sin, has been crucified with Him. See also Romans 6:6.
  • New Life in Christ: The logical consequence of dying with Christ is living with Him. This refers to both present spiritual life—a life free from sin's tyranny and lived for God—and future eternal life, including resurrection glory.
  • Assurance of Future Life: The verse expresses a strong belief ("we believe that we shall also live with him"), rooted in the reality of our union with Christ's death. Because we shared in His death, we are certain to share in His life.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "live with him" translates the Greek word syzeo (συζάω), which means "to live together with." This emphasizes the shared existence and destiny believers have with Christ. It's not just about receiving life *from* Him, but about living *in union with* Him, sharing in His resurrection life now and eternally.

Related Scriptures

The concept of being united with Christ in His death and resurrection is central to Paul's theology. This spiritual reality is pictured in baptism (Romans 6:3-4). Paul also speaks of the believer's identity as being crucified with Christ, so that Christ lives in them (Galatians 2:20). The future aspect of living with Him is tied to the hope of resurrection and sharing in His glory (Colossians 3:1-4).

Practical Application

This verse provides a powerful foundation for Christian living. If we have truly died to sin's power through our union with Christ, then we are no longer obligated to obey sin. The belief that we shall live with Him fuels hope and motivates us to live lives that reflect our new identity. It means we are called to reckon ourselves dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:11). This truth gives assurance of future glory and empowers a transformed life in the present.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Timothy 2:11 (12 votes)

    [It is] a faithful saying: For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]:

  • 2 Timothy 2:12 (12 votes)

    If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:

  • Colossians 3:3 (8 votes)

    For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

  • Colossians 3:4 (8 votes)

    When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:10 (6 votes)

    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.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:14 (6 votes)

    Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present [us] with you.

  • 2 Corinthians 13:4 (5 votes)

    For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.