King James Version

What Does Colossians 2:12 Mean?

Colossians 2:12 in the King James Version says “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raise...” — study this verse from Colossians chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Colossians 2:12 · KJV

Faith

Context

10

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

11

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

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.

13

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Read Colossians 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Baptism symbolizes union with Christ's death and resurrection. "Buried with him" (syntaphentes autō, συνταφέντες αὐτῷ) indicates definitive participation in Christ's burial—immersion pictures this burial. "Risen with him" (synēgerthēte, συνηγέρθητε) parallels resurrection, emergence from water symbolizing new life.

This occurs "through the faith of the operation of God" (dia tēs pisteōs tēs energeias tou theou, διὰ τῆς πίστεως τῆς ἐνεργείας τοῦ θεοῦ), literally "through faith in the working of God." Faith's object is God's power demonstrated in raising Christ. The same resurrection power that raised Jesus operates in believers, regenerating spiritually dead sinners into new life. Baptism doesn't accomplish this mechanically but symbolizes and testifies to spiritual reality wrought by faith in God's power.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Early Christian baptism by immersion powerfully visualized death and resurrection. Candidates descended into water (burial), submerged (death), emerged (resurrection). This dramatic enactment testified to profound spiritual transaction already accomplished through faith. Understanding baptism as participation in Christ's death/resurrection distinguished Christian baptism from Jewish proselyte baptism or John's baptism, connecting it directly to Christ's once-for-all redemptive work.

Reflection Questions

  1. Does your baptism remain vivid reality—your identification with Christ's death and resurrection—or distant memory?
  2. How does faith in God's resurrection power affect your confidence in spiritual transformation?
  3. What needs to 'die' in your life so that resurrection life can flourish more fully?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
συνταφέντες1 of 22

“Buried with”

G4916

to inter in company with, i.e., (figuratively) to assimilate spiritually (to christ by a sepulcher as to sin)

αὐτὸν2 of 22

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐν3 of 22

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῶν4 of 22

“who”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βαπτίσματι,5 of 22

“baptism”

G908

baptism (technically or figuratively)

ἐν6 of 22

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ᾧ7 of 22
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

καὶ8 of 22

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

συνηγέρθητε9 of 22

“ye are risen with”

G4891

to rouse (from death) in company with, i.e., (figuratively) to revivify (spirtually) in resemblance to

διὰ10 of 22

“him through”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τῶν11 of 22

“who”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστεως12 of 22

“the faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

τῶν13 of 22

“who”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐνεργείας14 of 22

“of the operation”

G1753

efficiency ("energy")

τῶν15 of 22

“who”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ16 of 22

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

τῶν17 of 22

“who”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐγείραντος18 of 22

“hath raised”

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

αὐτὸν19 of 22

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐκ20 of 22

“from”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῶν21 of 22

“who”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νεκρῶν·22 of 22

“the dead”

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Colossians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Colossians 2:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Colossians 2:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 6:3-51 Peter 3:21Galatians 3:27Ephesians 2:4-6Colossians 3:1-2Acts 2:24

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