Romans 6:4
What does Romans 6:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 6:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 6:4 means
By baptism believers were buried with Christ into death, so that a new kind of life would follow. As Christ was raised by the Father’s glory, believers are raised to “walk in newness of life.” The burial image stresses finality—our old existence under sin’s rule is laid in the grave with Christ. The resurrection points to a present transformation, not only a future hope. Newness of life means a fresh quality and direction, empowered by God, reflecting the risen Lord’s life. This is not mere moral reform but participation in resurrection power. The gospel unites believers with both Christ’s death and his risen life, ensuring that the old dominion ends and a new walk begins.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949We have been placed with him among the dead through baptism into death: so that as Christ came again from the dead by the glory of the Father, we, in the same way, might be living in new life.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862we were buried together, then, with him through the baptism to the death, that even as Christ was raised up out of the dead through the glory of the Father, so also we in newness of life might walk.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For we are buried together with him by baptism into death: that, as Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890We have been buried therefore with him by baptism unto death, in order that, even as Christ has been raised up from among [the] dead by the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life.
Context
Verse 4 continues the baptismal imagery, moving from death to burial to resurrection. It introduces the ethical outcome—“walk in newness of life”—that will be developed in the coming exhortations (11–13). Verses 5–7 will further explain the inner solidarity believers have with Christ’s death and resurrection, while verses 8–10 point to Christ’s indestructible life as the model and source for ours. The flow is from indicative (what is true in Christ) to imperative (how we must live).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 6:9
knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over him.
- John 11:40
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
- 2 Corinthians 13:4
for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you.
- Colossians 1:9
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
- 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
- John 2:11
This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
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