things intimately united, as things growing together, to branches of the same tree, limbs of the same body, &c. &c. The idea, therefore, here expressed by it, is an intimate and vital union with Christ, such as exists between a vine and its branches. Compare John 15 : 1 — 8.
In the likeness of his death ,■ i. e. in a death similar to his. We die as he died. This results from the fact of our intimate union with him. Hence, in v. 6, we are said " to be crucified with him ;" and, in v. 8, "to be dead with him." If we are so united to Christ as to die with him (i. e. to obtain the benefits of his death), we also die as he died. This accounts for the introduction of the word likeness, expressive of a comparison between our death to sin and the death of Christ. But we experience this similar or spiritual death only because of the union with Christ, in virtue of which his death was, in the sight of God, equivalent to our death.
We shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. The future tense, shall, does not here express obligation merely, but also and mainly the certainty of the result. 'If united to Christ in his death, we shall be also in his resurrection. That is, we shall experience a resurrection similar to his, viz. an entrance on a new, glorious, and perpetual life.' That a spiritual resurrection is here principally intended, seems very plain, both from the preceding and succeeding context. And yet the idea of the future resurrection of the body is not to be entirely excluded. Paul, in ch. 8:11, brings the resurrection of the body forward as a ne- cessary consequence of our union with Christ, or of our having the Spirit of life dwelling in us. The meaning probably is, that if we are true Christians, baptized into the death of Christ, united and conformed to him in this respect, the necessary result will be that the life of Christ will be manifested in us by a holy and devoted life here, by a life of glo- rious immortality, and by the resurrection of the body hereafter. All this is included in the life consequent on our union with Christ.
(6) Knowing this, that our old man was crucified, with him, &c. This verse is either an amplification or confirmation of the preceding. * If united with the Lord Jesus,' says the apostle, ' in his death, we shall be in his life, for we know that we are crucified with him for this very reason, viz. that the body of sin might be destroyed.' In this view of the passage it is little more than an amplification of v. 5. But it may also be viewed thus, ' We are sure we shall be conformed to the life of Christ, because we know that our old corruptions have been destroyed by his death, in order that we should no longer serve them.' This verse ^hen assigns the reason for the assertion contained in the last clause of the fifth.
The phrase old man generally means the natural corruption, or unholy aflfections of men. See E ph. 4 : 22, " Put ye off the old man which is cor- rupt ;" Col. 3:9, " Lie not one to another, seeing ye have put oflf the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man." The apostle then says, that Christians know that the effect of union with Christ is the de-