What does Romans 6:5 explain about our union with Christ in death and resurrection?

Romans 6:5 is a profound verse that reveals the depth of our union with Christ in both His death and resurrection. The Apostle Paul writes, "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, ESV). This verse serves as a cornerstone for understanding the transformative power of the Gospel in the life of a believer, emphasizing not only the significance of Christ's sacrifice but also the hope and promise of eternal life through His resurrection.

To fully grasp the meaning of Romans 6:5, it is essential to consider the broader context of Paul's letter to the Romans. In the preceding chapters, Paul meticulously lays out the universality of sin and the necessity of justification by faith. By the time we arrive at chapter 6, Paul is addressing the implications of this justification for the believer's daily life. Specifically, he is concerned with how believers should relate to sin now that they are in Christ.

Romans 6 begins with a rhetorical question: "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, ESV). Paul emphatically answers, "By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:2, ESV). Here, Paul introduces the concept of dying to sin, which he further elaborates on in verse 5. The key idea is that through faith, believers are united with Christ in His death, which signifies a definitive break from the power of sin.

The term "united" in Romans 6:5 is translated from the Greek word "σύμφυτοι" (symphytoi), which carries the connotation of being grown together or intimately connected. This union is not merely symbolic but is a mystical and spiritual reality. When Christ died on the cross, He bore the penalty for our sins, and in a very real sense, we died with Him. This death is not a physical death but a death to the old self, the sinful nature that once dominated our lives.

Paul's assertion that "we have been united with him in a death like his" means that just as Christ's death was a once-for-all event that conquered sin, our union with Him in His death signifies that we are no longer slaves to sin. This is further elucidated in Romans 6:6-7: "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin" (ESV). The crucifixion of our old self means that the power of sin has been broken, and we are liberated to live a new life in Christ.

However, Paul does not stop at our union with Christ in His death. The second part of Romans 6:5 promises that "we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." This statement is both a present reality and a future hope. In the present sense, believers experience a newness of life through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This is what Paul means when he says, "So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:11, ESV). The resurrection power of Christ enables us to live victoriously over sin and to walk in righteousness.

The future aspect of this promise points to the eschatological hope of the bodily resurrection. Just as Christ was raised from the dead, believers too will be raised to eternal life. This is a central tenet of Christian hope and is affirmed throughout the New Testament. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, Paul writes, "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive" (ESV). Our union with Christ guarantees that death is not the end, but rather the gateway to eternal life with God.

The theological implications of Romans 6:5 are vast and deeply comforting. First, it assures us of our complete identification with Christ. Our old self, with its sinful inclinations, has been crucified with Him, and we are now new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new identity should shape our daily conduct, motivating us to live in a manner worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1).

Second, Romans 6:5 provides a robust foundation for sanctification. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us, enabling us to overcome sin and grow in holiness. This is not achieved through our own efforts but through the grace of God working in us. As Paul writes in Philippians 2:12-13, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (ESV).

Third, the promise of resurrection assures us of our future glory. This hope sustains us through trials and tribulations, knowing that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). The certainty of our resurrection with Christ provides a perspective that transcends our temporal struggles, anchoring us in the eternal promises of God.

In addition to the scriptural insights, Christian literature offers rich reflections on this union with Christ. John Calvin, in his "Institutes of the Christian Religion," emphasizes the importance of being united with Christ in His death and resurrection. He writes, "We must understand that as long as Christ remains outside of us, and we are separated from him, all that he has suffered and done for the salvation of the human race remains useless and of no value for us" (Book III, Chapter 1). Calvin underscores that our union with Christ is the means by which we receive all the benefits of His redemptive work.

Similarly, in his book "The Normal Christian Life," Watchman Nee expounds on the practical implications of being crucified and resurrected with Christ. He states, "Our old history ends with the Cross; our new history begins with the resurrection" (Chapter 1). Nee's writings encourage believers to live out this new history by relying on the resurrection power of Christ to overcome sin and live victoriously.

In conclusion, Romans 6:5 is a profound declaration of the believer's union with Christ in both His death and resurrection. This union signifies a decisive break from the power of sin and the beginning of a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. It assures us of our identity in Christ, provides the foundation for our sanctification, and anchors us in the hope of future resurrection and eternal glory. As we meditate on this truth, let us live in the reality of our union with Christ, walking in the newness of life that He has graciously given us.