6:3a–c

Or: This word probably introduces another way (after 6:2) to strengthen Paul’s point about not continuing in sin (6:1).

aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that the believers in Rome know that all believers are baptized into his death or that they should easily agree with Paul’s words here. It is not a rebuke. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Have you forgotten that when we were baptized into union with Christ Jesus we were baptized into his death? (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Maybe you do not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

• As a statement. For example:

You cannot have forgotten that all of us, when we were baptised into Christ Jesus, were baptised into his death. (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Maybe you do not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death.

• As a command. For example:

Do not forget that all of us, when we were baptized into Christ Jesus, were baptized into his death.
-or-
You must remember that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death.

6:3b

all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus: Here the word who introduces something more that Paul wanted to say about the phrase all of us. It does not separate some believers from other believers. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

All of us have been baptized into Christ Jesus. Do you not know that we were baptized into his death?

who were baptized: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. Refer generally to other believers baptizing them. For example:

whom ⌊someone/they⌋ baptized

into Christ Jesus: Usually, the phrase after “baptized” is “in the name of Jesus Christ.” Here it is likely that Paul meant something different than “in the name of,” which refers to his authority. Here into probably indicates that believers have a strong relationship with Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

into union with Christ Jesus (Good News Translation)
-or-
joined with Christ Jesus (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
united/tied-together with Jesu-Cristo
-or-
in our connection with Kristus Yesus

Christ Jesus: The order of the words Christ Jesus emphasizes that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah. See how you translated this phrase in 1:1.

6:3c

were baptized into His death: This refers to the same baptism as in 6:3b. It is not a separate baptism. In some languages this clause must be translated differently to indicate that. For example:

⌊it/they⌋ baptized ⌊us⌋ into his death
-or-

⌊that baptism also⌋ baptized ⌊us⌋ into his death

were baptized: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. See the examples above.

into His death: Here into probably indicates that believers have a strong connection with Jesus’ death. It implies that believers are dead to sin’s rule in their lives. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

into union with his death (Good News Translation)
-or-
joined him in his death (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
united/tied-together with him in his death
-or-
died together with Him

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