Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Romans: Chapter 6].
verb to bury together with, in N.T. only here and Col 2:12.
With associative instrumental case (\aut•i\) and "by means of
baptism unto death" as in verse 3. {In newness of life} (\en
kainot•ti z••s\). The picture in baptism points two ways,
backwards to Christ's death and burial and to our death to sin
(verse 1), forwards to Christ's resurrection from the dead and
to our new life pledged by the coming out of the watery grave to
walk on the other side of the baptismal grave (F. B. Meyer).
There is the further picture of our own resurrection from the
grave. It is a tragedy that Paul's majestic picture here has been
so blurred by controversy that some refuse to see it. It should
be said also that a symbol is not the reality, but the picture of
the reality.
6:5 {For if we have become united with him by the likeness of his
death} (\ei gar sumphutoi gegonamen t•i homoi•mati tou thanatou
autou\). Condition of the first class, assumed to be true.
\Sumphutoi\ is old verbal adjective from \sumphu•\, to grow
together. Baptism as a picture of death and burial symbolizes our
likeness to Christ in his death. {We shall be also united in the
likeness of his resurrection} (\alla kai t•s anastase•s
esometha\). The conclusion to the previous condition introduced
by \alla kai\ as often and \toi homoi•mati\ (in the likeness)
must be understood before \t•s anastase•s\ (of his resurrection).
Baptism is a picture of the past and of the present and a
prophecy of the future, the matchless preacher of the new life in
Christ.
6:6 {Our old man} (\ho palaios h•m•n anthr•pos\). Only in Paul
(here, Col 3:9; Eph 4:22). {Was crucified with him}
(\sunestaur•th•\). See on ¯Ga 2:19 for this boldly picturesque
word. This took place not at baptism, but only pictured there. It
took place when "we died to sin" (verse 1). {The body of sin}
(\to s•ma t•s hamartias\). "The body of which sin has taken
possession" (Sanday and Headlam), the body marked by sin. {That
so we should no longer be in bondage to sin} (\tou m•keti
douleuein h•mas t•i hamarti•i\). Purpose clause with \tou\ and
the present active infinitive of \douleu•\, continue serving sin
(as slaves). Adds "slavery" to living in sin (verse 2).
6:7 {Is justified} (\dedikai•tai\). Perfect passive indicative of
\dikaio•\, stands justified, set free from, adding this great
word to death and life of verses 1,2.
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