ἐβαπτίσθημεν εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν … σύμφυτοι γεγόναμεν τῷ ὁμοιώματι (6:3–5)

Says ὅσοι ἐβαπτίσθημεν (ebaptisthēmen) εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν were baptized εἰς τὸν θάνατον αὐτοῦ, and συνετάφημεν (synetaphēmen, "we were buried with") him διὰ τοῦ βαπτίσματος, so that we too might walk ἐν καινότητι ζωῆς (kainotēti zōēs, "newness of life"). Abbott-Smith lists βαπτίζω εἰς here as "of the element, purpose or result" (also Gal 3:27; 1 Cor 12:13), and συνθάπτω as "in symbolical sense, of baptism" (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12). Nothing about mode is drawn from the verb.

Uncertain What chiefly is in view. One reading: the water rite, from διὰ τοῦ βαπτίσματος, the burial picture, and Col 2:12. Another: Spirit baptism, union with Christ, from εἰς Χριστόν as in Gal 3:27 and 1 Cor 12:13 ("in one Spirit … baptized into one body"), and 6:5 restating it as union. This note takes no lean; how the rite relates to what it signifies is for the exegetical notes.

Uncertain σύμφυτοι (symphytoi, 6:5). This note leans to "united with, grown together": Abbott-Smith derives it from συμφύω and glosses "grown along with, united with" (Rom 6:5). The alternative, "planted together" (KJV), links it with φυτεύω, "to plant." ὁμοίωμα (homoiōma) is "likeness" (5:14; 8:3).

Uncertain ἀλλὰ καὶ τῆς ἀναστάσεως ἐσόμεθα (esometha). This note leans to a real future, the bodily resurrection: 6:8 πιστεύομεν ὅτι … συζήσομεν speaks of what is believed and awaited, and 8:11 promises it. The alternative is a logical future, new life now: 6:4 περιπατήσωμεν and 6:11.

Implies Believers are united with Christ in his death and resurrection (6:3–5, 8).