In this passage, the apostle Paul is speaking about the profound spiritual transformation that takes place when a person puts their faith in Jesus Christ and is baptized. Through baptism, the believer becomes united with Christ in a symbolic representation of his death and resurrection. This union with Christ is what enables the believer to overcome sin and live a new life in Christ.
The phrase "united with him in the likeness of his death" refers to the idea that through baptism, the believer shares in Christ's death and is freed from the power of sin. Paul explains that "our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin." In other words, the believer's old sinful nature is put to death through baptism, and a new nature is born through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul emphasizes the freedom that comes from this new life in Christ, declaring that "he who has died has been freed from sin." This does not mean that Christians will never sin again, but rather that they are no longer under the dominion of sin. They have been set free from its power and are now able to live a life that is pleasing to God.
Paul also speaks about the believer's hope of resurrection, declaring that "if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him." The believer's union with Christ not only enables them to overcome sin in the present, but also ensures their future resurrection and eternal life in Christ. Paul explains that "knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him!" This means that the believer's hope of resurrection and eternal life is based on the fact that Christ has already conquered death and lives forever.
In conclusion, Romans 6:5-9 speaks to the profound transformation that takes place in the life of the believer through baptism and union with Christ. This transformation enables the believer to overcome sin and live a new life in Christ, free from the dominion of sin. It also provides the believer with the hope of resurrection and eternal life in Christ, based on the fact that Christ has already conquered death and lives forever. As Christians, we are called to live in light of this reality, seeking to honor God in all that we do and putting to death the old sinful nature that once enslaved us.
See also: vs 11
Romans 6:5-9. If we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection; knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him; knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him!