Devine Scripture

Colossians 2:12

What does Colossians 2:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 2:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 2:12 means

Baptism signifies being buried with Christ and raised with Him through faith in God’s powerful working, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. It is not a self-generated transformation but a sharing in Christ’s death and life. As believers trust God, He unites them to His Son’s saving acts. The old life is counted dead; a new life has begun. The emphasis on faith guards against treating baptism as a mere ritual. It is a sign that points to God’s action in uniting us to Christ. Thus, the believer’s identity and hope rest in what God has done, not in human additions.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Having been put to death with him in baptism, by which you came to life again with him, through faith in the working of God, who made him come back from the dead.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

being buried with him in the baptism, in which also ye rose with <FI>him<Fi> through the faith of the working of God, who did raise him out of the dead.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Buried with him in baptism: in whom also you are risen again by the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him up from the dead.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

buried with him in baptism, in which ye have been also raised with [him] through faith of the working ofGod who raised him from among the dead.

Context

Expanding the union theme of verse 11, this verse uses baptism to portray participation in Christ’s death and resurrection. It underscores faith in God’s power as central. Verses 13–15 will explain the results of this union: from death to life, forgiveness of sins, the canceling of the hostile record, and Christ’s triumph over the powers. These outcomes further prove that believers need no supplementary rules or mediators.

v.11in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;

v.12This passage

v.13And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, I say, did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 12:2

    looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  • John 1:12

    But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:

  • Acts 2:24

    whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:20

    But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.

  • Ephesians 1:19

    and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might

  • Galatians 3:27

    For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.

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