Romans 6: 5 Commentary

Planting via baptism does not seem to suggest an agricultural term to me. It is more like a naval thing. Adding water baptism to this section of Scripture is obviously removing the agricultural connotation of the word sumphutos. And as suggested that is an easy way to deceive the reader and take the key of knowledge from them thus hindering them from entering the kingdom of heaven.

What is so much more important than all of this is our need to be crucified with Jesus (Rom. 6:5-6). Baptism being an outward confirmation of this spiritual event (Gal. 2:20; 5:25; 6:14). Being outwardly baptized without God crucifying you with Christ seems to fall short of what Romans 6:4-6 is all about. It can seen that many baptized believers have missed their crucifixion out of their gospel message and replaced this with something more palatable; such as a bath! To be baptized without being crucified with Jesus is just a bath! Surely true baptism is pointing to this amazing operation of God, which is likened after the circumcision of Christ (Col. 1:12-11). Herein I love water baptism.

By Brother Philip (wrote 8 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 1/6/2009 23:51 pm

It is important to point out that the phrase “planted together” comes from the Greek word sumphutos which is an agricultural term related to the word phuo that is used for “spring up” in the parable of the sower, and that sumphutos is a compound, sum=together and phutos=to plant. This is important because many translations merely translate the “sum” part of sumphutos, thus saying “united” rather than “planted together” which they do specifically out of bias against the obvious connotation that “planted together” has of baptism by immersion, and the clear connection that would be evoked to Matthew 15:13 “But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up” which connection being made we will understand that the Father plants his plants via baptism. Removing the obvious agricultural connotation of the word sumphutos is an easy way to deceive the reader and take the key of knowledge from them thus hindering them from entering the kingdom of heaven, and this is why many modern translations do this. See also Luke 7:29-30.

By rey (wrote 36 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 12/18/2008 04:24 am