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. (Romans 6:4)
Gr. zōē. Note that Paul does not use the word bios, which signifies the manner of life, and is translated “life” or “living” in Mark 12:44; Luke 8:14; 1 Tim. 2:2; 2 Tim. 2:4; 1 John 2:16; etc. Zōē denotes the principle of life, and is the word used in Matt. 19:16; Luke 1:75; 12:15; John 1:4; 3:16; 5:26; Rom. 11:15; Rev. 22:1; etc. The conduct of day-by-day living has already been referred to as “walking.” When the believer has been born again of the Holy Spirit, he is henceforward animated by a new vital element (see Rom. 8:9-11). Thus, to “walk in newness of life” is to walk “after the Spirit” (v. 4). Hence, the daily conduct of the Christian will reveal the presence and effect of the Spirit of life (see Col. 3:1-3; 6T 98, 99).
The glory of God represents all the divine perfection and excellence (see on ch. 3:23). It was the attribute of power that was especially manifested in the resurrection of Christ (see Rom. 1:4; 1 Cor. 6:14; 2 Cor. 13:4; Eph. 1:19, 20). Concerning the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus declared, “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (John 11:40).
Was raised.
It is important to recognize that baptism symbolizes not only death and burial but also resurrection. The rite points in two directions, back to our death to sin and forward to our new life in Christ. As the death of Christ had the resurrection in view (see ch. 4:25), so also the work of grace does not end with the believer’s death to sin. Rather, this death to sin looks forward to a higher, holier, and brighter life. Justification anticipates the Christian’s complete sanctification.
Into death.
This phrase may be connected either with “buried” or with “baptism” (cf. v. 3). The difference is not important. Paul’s point is that immersion represents that the believer’s death to sin is as real and complete as was Christ’s death when He lay in the tomb. And if it is so complete, then surely it should mark the end of the old way of life and the beginning of the new. It is a denial of the meaning and purpose of baptism for the old life of sin to be continued thereafter. As burial (or total immersion) in the baptismal water is followed by total emergence, so death with Christ to sin, which that immersion symbolizes, is to be followed by resurrection with Him to a new way of life.
Baptism.
Gr. baptismos, from baptizō, meaning “to dip,”“to immerse” (see on Matt. 3:6).
Are buried.
Rather, “were buried.” The Gr. sunthaptō means, literally, “to bury together.” Paul’s description of baptism as representing burial is evidence that it was the practice of the early Christians to baptize by immersion (see on Matt. 3:6). If Paul had been referring to one of the other forms of baptism that have become popular in more recent centuries, his symbolism in this verse would have been rather strained, if not pointless.