Charles Ellicott Commentary Romans 6:5

"For if we have become united with [him] in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of his resurrection;" — Romans 6:5 (ASV)

If we have been planted together.—“If (as surely as) we have grown into—become conjoined with.” The metaphor is taken from the parasitic growth of a plant, but applies to natural growth, not “planted together with,” as in the Authorized Version. The idea would correspond to the growth of a bud or graft regarded as part of that of the stock in which it is inserted. But without reference to the operation of budding or grafting. It is used here to express the closest intimacy and union.

In the likeness of his death.—Not here “His death itself,” but “the likeness of His death,” i.e., an ethical condition corresponding to, or conformable to, the death of Christ. If our nature has grown “into conformity with” His death, it will also be conformable to His resurrection.

This conformity means, of course, dying to trespasses and sins, being completely removed from the sphere of their influence, and entering a new sphere corresponding to the glorified life of the Redeemer. The ethical resurrection of the Christian begins (or is ideally supposed to begin, and with the early Christian usually did begin) in baptism, is continued through life, and is completed with his physical resurrection.