Romans 6:4
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.
Original Language Analysis
συνετάφημεν
we are buried with
G4916
συνετάφημεν
we are buried with
Strong's:
G4916
Word #:
1 of 27
to inter in company with, i.e., (figuratively) to assimilate spiritually (to christ by a sepulcher as to sin)
οὖν
Therefore
G3767
οὖν
Therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 27
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 27
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
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
4 of 27
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 27
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θάνατον
death
G2288
θάνατον
death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
9 of 27
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
ἠγέρθη
was raised up
G1453
ἠγέρθη
was raised up
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
12 of 27
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
14 of 27
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
16 of 27
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δόξης
the glory
G1391
δόξης
the glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
18 of 27
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατρός
of the Father
G3962
πατρός
of the Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
20 of 27
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.Colossians 3:10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:Romans 7:6But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.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:Romans 6:9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.2 Corinthians 13:4For 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.Romans 6:3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?1 John 2:6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.1 Corinthians 6:14And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Historical Context
Roman burial practices included elaborate funeral processions and entombment, making burial imagery powerful. The glory (doxa) of God was a familiar Jewish concept (shekinah glory, Exodus 40:34), now revealed in resurrection power. Early Christians understood baptism as a reenactment of death-burial-resurrection, often conducted at Easter to emphasize resurrection symbolism. The ethical imperative to "walk in newness of life" reflects Jewish halakhic tradition—"walk" as metaphor for moral conduct.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific areas of your life still reflect the 'old walk' rather than newness of life in Christ?
- How does Christ's resurrection 'by the glory of the Father' assure you of power for daily sanctification?
- In what practical ways can you 'walk in newness of life' this week in relationships, work, or habits?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death—the aorist passive synetaphēmen (συνετάφημεν, "we were buried with") indicates completed action. The compound verb with syn (with) emphasizes union: not buried like Him but with Him. Immersion baptism dramatizes burial—the baptismal waters as a symbolic grave. Burial confirms death's reality; Christ was truly dead (contra-docetic heresies), and believers truly participate in that death.
That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father (hōsper ēgerthē Christos ek nekrōn dia tēs doxēs tou patros)—the parallel structure hōsper... houtōs (just as... so also) establishes correspondence: Christ's resurrection ↔ believer's new life. The glory of the Father refers to God's divine power manifested in resurrection. Walk in newness of life (en kainotēti zōēs peripatēsōmen)—kainotēs (newness) is qualitatively new, not chronologically new; peripatēsōmen (walk) is aorist subjunctive, indicating purpose: "that we might walk." Resurrection life isn't automatic but volitional—believers must walk in the new life made available through union with Christ.