Reflections on Being "In Christ"

Ἐν Χριστῷ (en Cristō) are two simple words, and yet their impact on the Christian life is too immense to realize fully. They appear a total of 83 times in the New Testament, 15 of which occurrences are in the book of Romans. With such a concentration of occurrences in Romans, this author will focus on the significance the idea has on the theology of Romans, a theologically rich book. First, we shall consider the weight of the Greek words "ἐν Χριστῷ" and then consider the significance they have in the Book of Romans. Finally, this author will draw some conclusions about the overall significance. It is important to note that this author has included any occurrence that the word ἐν is proceeded by the names "Christ, Jesus, Jesus Christ, or Christ Jesus."

Looking at the Greek

Most English readers would read over the phrase "in Christ" without giving it much more thought, merely concluding that such and such blessing is given because Christ died for our sins or that such and such worker was saved. However, this phrase has much more depth, and the Greek helps one understand this significance.

ἐν

The Greek preposition ἐν (en), like most Greek prepositions, has an extensive range of meanings, from its most common use of "in" it may also mean such things as: "upon," "among," "before," (pertaining to being in the presence of) "during," or even "possessed by." (1) Generally, when proceeded by Christ, the most accurate definition is a "marker of close association within a limit, in." (2) This is the idea that one is intimately associated with the sphere in which they are "in" that the distinction between the two becomes blurred. This author believes this is the association that Christ's first followers had when they were first called "Christians" or " little Christs." This is the relationship that defines the character of the believer, not just the title of their belief but rather the very core of their existence. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (3) It is not faith, granted it is faith that allows man to be 'in Christ,' which causes old things to pass away but rather it is being 'in Christ' that causes this regeneration.

Χριστὀς

The second main word that is being considered is, "Χριστῷ" the lexical form of Cristō is "Χριστός" simply, "the Christ or the Anointed One" (4) However, it later gained use as a personal name that was ascribed to Jesus, in fact, that was how most Gentiles thought of the word. (5) Cristos being a much more pointed word, makes its meaning much more precise and harder to misunderstand, clearly indicating the Messiah born of the virgin Mary.

The Theology of Romans

The book of Romans has 15 occurrences of en Cristō with particular concentrations in chapters 3, 6, 8, and 16. 4 of the occurrences in Romans appearing in chapter 16, as Paul concludes his letter. He requests that the recipients greet individual workers who are "in Christ" with the idea that they are saved, much like most people would use the term "Christian" today.

Chapter 3

The phrase appears once in chapter 3, in verse 24, while many English translations will

probably have the phrase occur a total of three times translating διἀ πίστεως as "through faith in Jesus Christ” (6) in verse 24 and ἐκ πίστεως Ἱησοῦ as "of the one who has faith in Jesus." (7) in verse 26. For the sake of developing a full view of this idea of "in Christ," this author will not consider those passages as they deal with faith placed in Christ rather than a believer being in the sphere of "Christ."

"Rom. 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth tobe a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." (8)

The idea of "in Christ" in verse 24 has to deal with the legal imagery that Paul sets up in this passage. Paul is discussing the futility of trying to be declared righteous (9) by fulfilling the law and stating that the law was not to tell mankind how to gain entry to heaven by being righteous, but rather to illuminate in the minds of men the sin that is present with them. Paul then puts the Jews and Gentiles on the same level with verse 23, stating that all have sinned. Then in verse 24, Paul states that all may be justified, that is our work δικαιὀω, freely by God's grace, and this justification is done through the redemption that is in Christ. When we are in Christ, we have the redemption that is also in Christ.

Romans 8

After Paul addresses the struggle of the flesh and the Spirit and then declares the law to be good and the inevitable failure to live a perfect, sinless life, in Romans 7:14-25. He then moves on to what has been divided into chapter 8. Declaring, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (10) Here Paul addresses the freedom that comes from being justified in Christ. Because we have been placed in Him, we are no longer under condemnation, neither are we slaves to the flesh (11) but instead to the Spirit. Colin Kruse states the idea of being 'in Christ' very simply and impactfully, "To be 'in Christ' means to belong to Christ and to live in the realm (12) where his power and lordship are experienced." (13)

Concluding Thoughts

The phrase 'in Christ' is often overlooked, and that is extremely unfortunate; this author believes that many Christians would benefit from knowing what exactly is 'in Christ' entail. It means justification (3:24,26), redemption (3:24), freedom from sin (6:6), freedom from condemnation (8:1), equality of all men, (3:22-23) eternal life, (6:23) and ultimately, it means a closeness with Christ. To be 'in Christ' means a fresh start where all of your sins, past, present, and future have been paid in full. The simplest, clearest, and most modern vernacular that this author could find of a definition of what it means to be 'in Christ' was stated by John R.W. Stott, "To be 'in Christ' is to find personal fulfillment, to enjoy brotherly unity, and to experience a radical transformation." (14)

1) ANALYTICAL GREEK LEXICON. (New York: Samuel Bagster and Sons Limited, n.d.) 137.

2) W. Bauer et al., eds., BDAG, 3d, Accordance electronic ed., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 327.

3) 2 Cor. 5:17 KJV

4) ANALYTICAL GREEK LEXICON, 439

5) BDAG, 1091.

6) NKJV

7) Ibid

8) Rom. 3:20-26 KJV

9) The Greek word for justified is δικαιόω meaning "to pronounce righteous, or justify."

10) Rom. 8:1 KJV

11) Paul talks about the change of the ownership of the slave that is every man from sin to the Spirit in Rom. 6.

12) Or sphere as this author described it.

13) Colin G. Kruse, Paul’s Letter to the Romans, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2012), 323.

14) John R.W. Stott, “‘In Christ’ The Meaning and Implications of The Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Knowing & Doing, no. Summer 2007 (1983), accessed August 14, 2020, https:// www.cslewisinstitute.org/In_Christ_page3.