King James Version

What Does Romans 6:3 Mean?

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? were: or, are were: or, are”

Context

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

God forbid . How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein ?

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

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.

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

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **Know ye not.**—It should be as in the Greek, *Or know ye not.* Do you not admit this principle; or am I to suppose that you are ignorant? &c. **Were baptized into Jesus Christ**—*i.e.,* “into communion with Him and incorporation in His mystical body” (Ellicott on Galatians 3:27). “As many of you as have been baptised in Christ have put on Christ.” Your baptism signified an intimately close and indissoluble attachment to Christ. **Were baptized into his death.**—And this attachment had a special relation to His death. It involved a communion or fellowship with His death. This fellowship is ethical, *i.e.,* it implies a moral conduct corresponding to that relation to Christ which it assumes. Why has baptism this special connection with the *death* of Christ? In the first place, the death of Christ is the central and cardinal fact of the Christian scheme. It is specially related to justification, and justification proceeds from faith, which is ratified in baptism. In the second place, the symbolism of baptism was such as naturally to harmonise with the symbolism of death. It was the final close of one period, and the beginning of another—the complete stripping off of the past and putting on of the “new man.”

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Romans 6:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.