[Greek] συνθάπτω (synthaptō), [Latin] sepelire: to bury together with; Rom.6:4, Col.2:12
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to bury together and to join in burying. Lycurgus’ Against Alecestis 150 states “With the bodies of these men was buried the freedom of every other Greek. They were fighting for not private ends but facing danger for our common liberty.” Euripides’ Alcestics 149 states “The finery in which her husband will bury her is ready.” Sophocles’ Ajax 1378 states “And now I announce that from this point on I am ready to be friends as much as I was his enemy. I would like to join in the burying of your dead and share in your labors.”
New Testament: This term means a burying together with. This burial implies a real death of the sinful life. Through this death we grow in union with Christ. This baptism becomes an entry or participation in the newness of life. This baptism corresponds with being raised with Him through the activity of God. Jesus’ death on the cross is a curse on this sin. Those who are dead (outside of Christ) are made alive again through the remission of sins. This remission of sins removes the dominion of the cosmos and demonic world.
Scripture:
“You were buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Col.2:12
This baptism implies a real death of the sinful life through the power of God.
Conclusion:
Sepulcher, sepulcher, epitaph
It was interesting to discover that this term has a metaphorical sense (burying one’s freedom). I was also surprised that there was Latin form of this term.
In the New Testament, it was also interesting to learn that baptism can be also be used in a metaphorical, yet efficacious sense. This baptism into death plunges one into a new life with Christ. This baptism brings about a new person in Christ.
I did not realize that sepulcher can also be used as a verb (to lay or bury one in a small room (sepulcher).
This post is another example where I often hade to ‘bury” my preconceived notion of what I knew about this term.