Charles Ellicott Commentary Colossians 2:12

"having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead." — Colossians 2:12 (ASV)

Buried with him in baptism . . .—It is very interesting to compare this passage with Romans 6:4, Therefore we are buried with Him in baptism unto death, that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. In the former clause both are identical. In the latter clause this Epistle is stronger. What in the earlier Epistle is the likeness of His Resurrection is here the participation of it, You are risen with Him.

Similarly, instead of the simple allusion to “Christ’s being raised from the dead,” we have here through faith in the operation of God, who raised Him from the dead. Here, as in the more detailed passage of the Ephesian Epistle (Colossians 1:19–23; Colossians 2:5–7), the “operation,” the energy of the mighty power of God, is conceived as actually working both in the Head and in the Body, so that we through it partake of the resurrection, the ascension, and the glorified majesty of Christ. The comparison shows an instructive development in this Epistle of the consequences of the unity with Christ.

This passage is also notable for the obvious contrast of baptism, as a spiritual reality, with circumcision as a symbolic form. Each is the entrance into a covenant with God; but the one into a covenant of the letter, and the other into a covenant of the spirit. (See the contrast between the covenants drawn out in 2 Corinthians 3:6–18; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:28.) In the earlier Epistles circumcision is contrasted with spiritual regeneration (Galatians 6:15), as shown by various signs, such as faith working by love (Romans 4:9–12; Galatians 5:6), or keeping the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 7:19).

Here this contrast is still as strong as ever; but baptism being (as always) looked upon as the means of such spiritual regeneration, is brought out emphatically as “the circumcision of the Spirit.” As baptised into Christ, we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit (Philippians 3:3).