Romans 6 5

Romans 6:5 kjv

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

Romans 6:5 nkjv

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

Romans 6:5 niv

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Romans 6:5 esv

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Romans 6:5 nlt

Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.

Romans 6 verses

Romans 6 5 Meaning

Romans 6:5 proclaims that through belief in Christ, believers enter a profound, inseparable union with Him. This union entails a spiritual participation in the likeness of His death, signifying a definitive break from the power and dominion of sin, and, as an assured consequence, a participation in the likeness of His resurrection, leading to a new life lived under God's righteousness. This verse highlights that the believer's identity is fundamentally transformed, moving from slavery to sin to a dynamic, Christ-empowered existence.

Romans 6 5 Context

The context of Romans 6:5 begins with Paul addressing the rhetorical question, "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?" (Rom 6:1), an emphatic "By no means!" being his reply. He firmly establishes that believers, by definition, have "died to sin" (Rom 6:2). Verses 3-4 then introduce baptism as the outward symbol of an inward spiritual reality: identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Verse 5 deepens this understanding by explaining how this is true—through an organic, profound union with Christ Himself. This entire passage grounds the imperative for righteous living (sanctification) in the accomplished fact of justification and spiritual identification, counteracting any potential misinterpretation that grace leads to license.

Historically and culturally, Paul addressed a church in Rome composed of both Jewish and Gentile converts. Jewish believers understood a covenant identity through law and ritual, while Gentiles often came from diverse pagan cults without a concept of such a radical moral and ontological transformation. Paul's emphasis on union with a resurrected Lord, not merely an abstract moral code, presented a radically new basis for identity and conduct. The horticultural metaphor of "grown together" (symphytoi) provides an organic, vital understanding that transcends mere imitation or intellectual assent, affirming a new spiritual lineage in Christ.

Romans 6 5 Word analysis

• For if (εἰ γὰρ, ei gar)
  • This conjunction initiates a conditional clause, establishing a foundational truth upon which the subsequent statement rests. It signifies a logical consequence or a further explanation based on what has already been introduced.
• we have been united (σύμφυτοι γεγόναμεν, symphytoi gegonamen)
  • Symphytoi (σύμφυτοι): Means "grown together," "planted together," "intrinsically linked," "united with." It is a vivid botanical metaphor, suggesting an organic, deep, and inseparable connection, like plants sharing the same root system. This term emphasizes a profound, essential identification, not a superficial resemblance or association.
  • Gegonamen (γεγόναμεν): This verb is in the perfect tense, indicating an action completed in the past with ongoing and abiding results. The union is not potential or fleeting but an established, permanent reality for the believer.
• with him
  • This refers exclusively and emphatically to Jesus Christ, highlighting that this profound union is personal and relational.
• in a death like his (τῷ ὁμοιώματι τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ, tō homoiōmati tou thanatou autou)
  • Homoiōmati (ὁμοιώματι): This term signifies "likeness," "form," "resemblance," or "pattern." It's critical; our participation is in the likeness of Christ's death. This means it's not a physical crucifixion, but a spiritual identification with the decisive character and outcome of His death – a decisive break from the power and reign of sin. It is a participation in the efficacy of His death, making it effective in our lives for ending the dominion of the "old self."
  • Thanatou (θανάτου): This refers to Christ's actual physical death on the cross, the historical and redemptive act that broke sin's power and established the new covenant.
  • Word Group: united... in a death like his: This phrase denotes an active, spiritual identification. Because we are inextricably "grown together" with Christ, His death for sin becomes our death to sin. This means our former self, enslaved to sin, has definitively died with Christ on the cross in principle, leading to a spiritual reality where sin no longer has dominion. It signifies an end to our old life.
• we will certainly also be united (ἀλλὰ καὶ τῆς ἀναστάσεως ἐσόμεθα, alla kai tēs anastaseōs esometha)
  • Alla kai (ἀλλὰ καί): Translated as "but also" or "certainly also," this strong conjunction emphasizes that the second part of the union is an assured, necessary consequence of the first. Because of union in His death, union in His resurrection is absolutely guaranteed by divine will.
  • Esometha (ἐσόμεθα): This is a future indicative verb ("we shall be," "we will be"), denoting an absolute certainty regarding future fulfillment. The term "united" (from symphytoi) is understood to carry over from the first clause, signifying the continuation of this organic bond. The Greek phrase technically says, "we shall be of the resurrection," emphasizing possession or participation in its essence.
• in a resurrection like his (τῆς ἀναστάσεως ἐσόμεθα, tēs anastaseōs esometha)
  • Anastaseōs (ἀναστάσεως): This refers to Christ's bodily resurrection, signifying His triumph over death, sin, and the grave, and His inauguration of new, eternal life.
  • Word Group: will certainly also be united... in a resurrection like his: This emphasizes that just as we spiritually identified with His death, we are equally identified with His victorious resurrection. Our "likeness" to His resurrection implies sharing in its power, character, and life-giving reality. This results in a present "newness of life" (Rom 6:4), marked by freedom from sin's bondage and the ability to walk in righteousness, as well as assuring our future bodily resurrection and glorification. It is the necessary and joyful outcome of being dead to sin with Christ.

Romans 6 5 Bonus section

The truth presented in Romans 6:5 bridges the theological concepts of "justification" and "sanctification." While justification (being declared righteous) is an instantaneous, one-time act of God based on Christ's work, sanctification (growing in holiness) is an ongoing process throughout the believer's life. This verse shows that sanctification is firmly rooted in the believer's definitive union with Christ's death and resurrection, making it an already-not yet reality. The "already" refers to the completed fact of having "been united" (perfect tense), marking the end of the old self's dominion. The "not yet" speaks to the continuous appropriation of "resurrection like his" which matures into the future physical resurrection. The Holy Spirit plays a vital role, making this mystical union a present experiential reality, empowering believers daily to reckon themselves "dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Rom 6:11). This theological truth transforms Christianity from a set of rules into a vibrant, living relationship.

Romans 6 5 Commentary

Romans 6:5 articulates a pivotal truth in Christian theology: believers are not just forgiven by Christ, but profoundly joined with Christ. This union is not merely symbolic but a radical, spiritual reality, enabling participation in His finished work. The "death like his" refers to an effective, spiritual cessation from sin's mastery, allowing the believer to break free from their former life of habitual sin. Consequentially, the "resurrection like his" signifies an empowerment for a new kind of life—one marked by divine energy and righteousness. This isn't just moral effort; it's the natural outflow of an altered identity, where Christ's life becomes our life. This foundational union underscores that justification by faith does not lead to lawlessness, but instead creates an inner reality that demands a transformed outward expression. For example, understanding this union helps believers actively choose holiness, not out of legalistic obligation, but as a genuine reflection of their new, Christ-empowered nature.