Colossians 2:12

And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Colossians, moving from their circumcision in Christ (v. 11) to their burial and raising in baptism (v. 12), then to being made alive (v. 13). The moment is a theological recap of what has already happened to them, not a command to act.

The words — συνταφέντες (suntaphentes), aorist participle of συνταφῶ, carries the prefix σύν- ("together with"), making the sense "having been buried together with" Him. The aorist marks a completed, definitive act, not an ongoing process.

The thread — Romans 6:3 states the same union: baptized into Christ's death. 1 Peter 3:21 clarifies that the water is not the saving agent but the pledge, echoing Paul's "through your faith in the power of God."

Why it lands — The verse asks the reader to locate their resurrection not in the water or the ritual but in the power that raised Christ, with faith as the means of participation. It removes ambiguity: the raising is God's act, received by faith, not produced by the act of baptism itself.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Romans 6:3 Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
1 Peter 3:21 And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 2:4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
Colossians 3:1 Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Acts 2:24 But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep Him in its grip.
Ephesians 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Romans 4:24 but also for us, to whom righteousness will be credited—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
Romans 6:8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.
Ephesians 1:19 and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength,