Romans 6:3

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 6:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Romans 6:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Know ye not that so many of us as, etc.] You must know this, you cannot be ignorant of it, that whoever were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death: and therefore must be dead to sin, and consequently ought not to live, nor can they live in sin. This does not suppose, that some of this church were baptized persons, and others not; but that some might be baptized in water who were not baptized into Christ: there is a difference between being baptized in water in the name of Christ, and being baptized into Christ, which believers in their baptism are; by which is meant, not a being brought by it into union with Christ, which is either secretly from eternity, or openly at…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ--compare Co1 10:2. were baptized into his death?--sealed with the seal of heaven, and as it were formally entered and articled, to all the benefits and all the obligations of Christian discipleship in general, and of His death in particular. And since He was "made sin" and "a curse for us" (Co2 5:21; Gal 5:13), "bearing our sins in His own body on the tree," and "rising again for our justification" (Rom 4:25; Pe1 2:24), our whole sinful case and condition, thus taken up into His Person, has been brought to an end in His death. Whoso, then, has been baptized into Christ's death has formally surrendered the whole state and life…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Know ye not - This is a further appeal to the Christian profession, and the principles involved in it, in answer to the objection. The simple argument in this verse and the two following is, that by our very profession made in baptism, we have renounced sin, and have pledged ourselves to live to God. So many of us ... - All who were baptized; that is, all professed Christians. As this renunciation of sin had been thus made by all who professed religion, so the objection could not have reference to Christianity in any manner. Were baptized - The act of baptism denotes dedication to the service of him in whose name we are baptized. One of its designs is to dedicate or consecrate us to the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“As many as have been baptized into Jesus Christ have been baptized into his death - In baptism we, through faith, are ingrafted into Christ; and we draw new spiritual life from this new root, through his Spirit, who fashions us like unto him, and particularly with regard to his death and resurrection. Romans 6:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:3 Baptism is the rite of initiation into the Christian faith (see Acts 2:38, 41). It sometimes symbolizes the entire conversion experience, so Paul refers to baptism as the means through which believers are joined to Christ in his death and resurrection (see also Rom 6:4). However, baptism has no value apart from faith.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Know: Rom 6:16, Rom 7:1; Co1 3:16, Co1 5:6, Co1 6:2, Co1 6:3, Co1 6:9, Co1 6:15, Co1 6:16, Co1 6:19, Co1 9:13, Co1 9:24; Co2 13:5; Jam 4:4 as were: or, as are, Mat 28:19; Co1 12:13; Gal 3:27; Pe1 3:21 were: Rom 6:4, Rom 6:5, Rom 6:8; Co1 15:29; Gal 2:20, Gal 2:21 Romans 6:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification