Romans 6:5

Commentary on Romans 6:5

King James Version (public domain): “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)

Doctrinal Takeaway

Paul teaches that union with Jesus Christ is both real and transformative. To be “planted together” with Christ means believers truly share in his death and resurrection. This union is the foundation for sanctification: Christians are not merely forgiven; they are made new and empowered to walk in righteousness.

Exegetical Commentary

1. The immediate context: Romans 6

Romans 6[i] addresses a pastoral and theological concern: if salvation is by grace alone, does that encourage sin? Paul answers decisively.

Romans 6:1–2 (KJV): “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?”

Paul insists that grace does not lead to licence. Instead, grace unites believers to Christ in such a way that sin’s dominion is broken.

2. “Planted together” — union with Christ

The Greek term symphytoi carries the idea of being grown together, united organically, like two plants sharing one root system. Paul uses agricultural imagery to describe spiritual reality.

Believers are not merely associated with Christ; they are vitally joined to him. This union is the basis for both justification and sanctification.

3. “In the likeness of his death” — participation in Christ’s death

Paul has already explained this in Romans 6:3–4.

Romans 6:3–4 (KJV): “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptised into Jesus Christ were baptised into his death? 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.”

To be united with Christ means that his death counts as our death. The penalty of sin has been borne. The power of sin has been broken. The old self has been crucified.

4. “We shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” — present and future hope

Paul’s language includes both present sanctification and future glorification.

• Present:
  Believers already walk in “newness of life.”
• Future:
  Believers will be raised bodily when Christ returns.

Paul expands this in Romans 6:8–11.

Romans 6:8–11 (KJV): “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The resurrection life of Christ is the pattern and power of Christian living.

5. Theological significance

Romans 6:5 is a central text for the doctrine of union with Christ. It teaches:

• Justification:
  Christ’s death is counted as ours.
• Sanctification:
  Christ’s resurrection life is the source of our obedience.
• Glorification:
  Christ’s bodily resurrection guarantees ours.

This union is not metaphorical. It is spiritual, real, and effected by the Holy Spirit.

6. Christian perspective

Christian theology emphasises that sanctification flows from union with Christ, not human effort alone. Romans 6:5 supports this by grounding Christian obedience in Christ’s finished work.

John Calvin writes that believers “are so united to Christ that they become partakers of his substance.” This is not mystical speculation; it is biblical truth. The believer’s life is hidden with Christ in God.

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Practical Application for Modern Christian Living

1. You are not who you once were

Romans 6:5 teaches that the Christian’s identity is fundamentally changed. You are united to Christ. You are no longer under sin’s dominion.

This means:

• You can say “no” to sin.
• You can pursue righteousness with confidence.
• You can live with hope, not despair.

2. Sanctification is rooted in union, not self-effort

Many Christians struggle because they try to fight sin apart from Christ. Paul’s argument is the opposite: fight sin because you are united to Christ.

Your obedience is not the cause of your union with Christ; it is the fruit of it.

3. Resurrection hope shapes daily life

The promise “we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” gives strength for suffering, perseverance in trials, and courage in witness.

Your future is secure. Your present is empowered.

4. Baptism reminds us of our union

Baptism symbolises the believer’s death and resurrection with Christ. It is a visible sign of an invisible reality.

When tempted, discouraged, or spiritually dry, remember your baptism and what it signifies: you are united to Christ.

Meditation Guide

Meditation Theme: “Planted together with Christ”

1. Read and reflect

Read Romans 6:5 slowly.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Consider the imagery of being “planted together.” Imagine two plants sharing one root system. Let this picture remind you of your union with Christ.

2. Confess and rest

Confess areas where you have lived as though sin still has dominion. Rest in the truth that you are united to Christ in his death and resurrection.

3. Pray for resurrection power

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you walk in newness of life. Pray for specific areas where you need resurrection strength.

4. Look forward with hope

Meditate on the promise of bodily resurrection. Let this future hope shape your present obedience.

5. Give thanks

Thank God for the grace that unites you to Christ. Praise him for the certainty of your salvation and the power of the resurrection.

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[i] Romans 6

King James Version

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

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

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

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.

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

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.