Colossians 2:12 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →In baptism we are joined to Christ's own death and resurrection, going down with Him and rising to new life by the power of God.
The Context of Colossians 2:12
Paul is showing the Colossians what already belongs to them in Christ, against teachers who wanted to add rules and rituals. He points them back to their baptism and what it pictures.
What Does Colossians 2:12 Mean?
Paul reads baptism as a picture of a real burial and a real rising. Going down into the water is being "buried with him," the old life laid to rest with Christ in His grave. Coming up is being "risen with him," sharing already in the resurrection life He poured out. It is a vivid image: the same movement Jesus made, down into death and up into life, traced over our own lives. And Paul is careful to say where the power comes from. Beyond the water and beyond our effort, it is "the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
The God who had the power to raise Jesus is the same God now at work in us, and we lay hold of it "through faith." This means our new life is as sure as Christ's resurrection, founded on what God did rather than on what we manage to keep. For anyone weary of trying to earn their standing, this is rest: we have already died and risen with Him, and the One who raised Jesus holds us still.
Colossians 2:12 in the Original Language
energeia (ἐνέργεια), 'operation' -- active power at work, God's effective working.
How to Apply Colossians 2:12 Today
Our new life rests on the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, steady and secure no matter how well we perform. For anyone weary of trying to earn their place, this verse offers rest: we have already been buried and raised with Christ, and the God who did it holds us still.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colossians 2:12
What does Colossians 2:12 mean?
In baptism we are joined to Christ's own death and resurrection, going down with Him and rising to new life by the power of God.
What is the context of Colossians 2:12?
Paul is showing the Colossians what already belongs to them in Christ, against teachers who wanted to add rules and rituals. He points them back to their baptism and what it pictures.
How can I apply Colossians 2:12 today?
Our new life rests on the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, steady and secure no matter how well we perform. For anyone weary of trying to earn their place, this verse offers rest: we have already been buried and raised with Christ, and the God who did it holds us still.