What Does “Likeness of His Death” Mean in Romans 6:5? A Fresh Look at an Old Debate

What is it about?

This article explores how to understand a specific phrase in Romans 6:5, where the apostle Paul says that believers have become united with the “likeness of Christ’s death.” A key question is what Paul means by the word “likeness” (Greek: homoiōma). Scholars debate whether this word means a copy, a form, or an actual sharing in Christ’s death. By reviewing how the word was used in ancient Greek writings, including the Greek Old Testament, and by examining how early Christian thinkers interpreted the passage, the article argues that “likeness” means something that resembles but is not identical to Christ’s death. In other words, Paul is not saying that Christians die with Christ in the same exact way he died, but that their spiritual death to sin is similar to his death. This interpretation helps clarify what it means for believers to live a new life in Christ.

Featured Image

Photo by Bill Gullo on Unsplash

Photo by Bill Gullo on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Romans 6:5 is a key verse in understanding how believers share in Christ’s death and resurrection, yet the meaning of “likeness” (homoiōma) has long been debated. This article brings clarity by drawing on a wide range of historical and linguistic evidence and highlights a well-attested but often overlooked interpretation: that Paul is referring not to Christ’s death itself, but to the believer’s own death to sin. This perspective helps sharpen our understanding of Christian identity and sanctification, and it recovers insights held by many early Christian interpreters that have been lost in recent discussions of Romans.