Colossians 2:12
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.
Original Language Analysis
συνταφέντες
Buried with
G4916
συνταφέντες
Buried with
Strong's:
G4916
Word #:
1 of 22
to inter in company with, i.e., (figuratively) to assimilate spiritually (to christ by a sepulcher as to sin)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 22
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
τῶν
who
G3588
τῶν
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ᾧ
G3739
ᾧ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
7 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
συνηγέρθητε
ye are risen with
G4891
συνηγέρθητε
ye are risen with
Strong's:
G4891
Word #:
9 of 22
to rouse (from death) in company with, i.e., (figuratively) to revivify (spirtually) in resemblance to
διὰ
him through
G1223
διὰ
him through
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
10 of 22
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῶν
who
G3588
τῶν
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστεως
the faith
G4102
πίστεως
the faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
12 of 22
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
τῶν
who
G3588
τῶν
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
who
G3588
τῶν
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
16 of 22
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τῶν
who
G3588
τῶν
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐγείραντος
hath raised
G1453
ἐγείραντος
hath raised
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
18 of 22
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 22
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
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
20 of 22
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
Cross References
1 Peter 3:21The 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:Galatians 3:27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.Acts 2:24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.Romans 4:24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;Ephesians 2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Ephesians 3:17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,Ephesians 4:5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,1 Corinthians 15:20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.Hebrews 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.Hebrews 6:2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- Does your baptism remain vivid reality—your identification with Christ's death and resurrection—or distant memory?
- How does faith in God's resurrection power affect your confidence in spiritual transformation?
- What needs to 'die' in your life so that resurrection life can flourish more fully?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.