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"United together in the likeness of His death..."

Text: Romans 6:5

AN IMPORTANT LINE OF THOUGHT

Paul was never in doubt in his presentation of our identification with the Lord Jesus Christ, in His death, burial and resurrection.

“For if we have been united together in the likeness
of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness
of His resurrection.”
Romans 6:5

1. Understanding the word “if”

a) This word was not used to express doubt.

b) It is used in a special grammatical construction.

c) The first part is called the “protasis”.

d) It postulates a given factual position that “we have been united together in the likeness of His death”.

2. Understanding the word “certainly”

a) This word draws its strength from the conjunctions placed side by side “alla kai”.

b) The conjunction “alla” may be used in a number of ways:-

i) To express a strong adversative element (this is often translated as “But”).

ii) To express strong conclusion (as the case here).

iii) When used with the usual conjunction “kai” the translation “certainly” is well chosen.

c) The second part of the statement functions as a vital complement of the first one
(This is known as “the apodosis”).

TREMENDOUS CONFIDENCE IN OUR IDENTIFICATION WITH CHRIST

There is no doubt in Paul’s mind that we are identified with Christ! The strength lay in the significance of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection! The significance is found in:

1. Its historicity (The word “united” is a reference to the past)

2. Its significance (The future “we also shall be” draws its strength from the past)