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.

COLOSSIANS 2:12KJV
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Colossians 2:12 (KJV)

What does Colossians 2:12 mean?

Colossians 2:12 describes how believers are united with Christ by being "buried with him in baptism" and also "risen with him" through faith in God's power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. The verse uses the image of baptism to show a deep spiritual connection to Jesus’ death and resurrection, emphasizing trust in what God has done.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Colossae, reminding them that their new life is rooted in what God accomplished through Jesus. The verse highlights that baptism is not just a ritual but a sign of sharing in Christ’s death and resurrection, made real by faith in God’s powerful work.

The Greek behind Colossians 2:12

  • "Baptism" (βάπτισμα, baptisma): This word means immersion or dipping, and here it points to the act of being fully identified with Jesus’ death and resurrection, not just a surface-level ritual.
  • "Operation" (ἐνέργεια, energeia): This Greek word means active power or working. Paul is stressing that it is God’s active power, not human effort, that brings about new life.
  • "Risen with" (συνεγείρω, sunegeirō): This word means to be raised together with someone. Paul uses it to show that believers share in Jesus’ resurrection, not just as a future hope but as a present spiritual reality.

Why Colossians 2:12 matters

  • Colossians 2:12 clarifies that baptism is a symbol of a real spiritual change, not just an outward tradition, because it is tied to faith in God’s power.
  • The verse connects the believer’s story directly to Jesus’ death and resurrection, showing that Christian life is about sharing in both.
  • This verse helps explain the wider passage, where Paul warns against relying on human rules or rituals, by focusing attention on what God has already accomplished through Christ.

Where else these words appear

“with” Greek G4916 · used in 2 verses

  • Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

“with” Greek G4891 · used in 3 verses

  • Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
  • Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

“operation” Greek G1753 · used in 8 verses

  • Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
  • Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
  • Colossians 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

“baptism” Greek G908 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
  • Mark 11:30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.
  • Acts 13:24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.