Overview
This teaching traces a single Greek word, sun, meaning “together,” through 21 different appearances across the New Testament to show what it means to be identified with Christ. The idea can be summed up simply: we became as he was, so that we are now his and will become as he is. Working through Romans, Colossians, Galatians, Ephesians, and Thessalonians, the teaching moves through six “togethers” rooted in the past (what Christ accomplished for us), six in the present (what we enjoy now as his), and five in the future (what awaits us when he returns), closing with two original poems that gather the whole journey into a single refrain.
Teaching
The Journey We’re Taking Together
There are two aspects to a journey: the route and the milestones. The route is the roadmap, the way to get there. The milestones are the stages, marking forward progress. Those who are born again of God’s spirit are on a heaven-bound journey, and Jesus Christ, our big brother, has mapped everything out so that all we need do is follow in his footsteps. At the end of the road we’ll be safe and sound, reunited with the family at large.
The word “together” underscores the biblical truth of our identification with Christ, summed up in this statement: we became as he was, so that we are now his and will become as he is. The Greek word for “together” is sun, pronounced “soon.” At times it stands alone; in other instances it appears in a compound word. This teaching focuses on 21 different “togethers” across the New Testament.
The route is: we became as he was to become as he is. The milestones are: we became as he was (past), we are now his (present), we will become as he is (future).
We Suffered, and Will Be Glorified, Together With Him
In the book of Romans, we learn that in our identification with Christ, not only have we suffered with him, but we will also be glorified together with him. Romans 8:17 says, And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer together with him, that we may be also glorified together. At times we may groan in these mortal, earthly bodies. Jesus Christ did too, but he was able to endure for the joy that was set before him. Whenever God’s Word makes reference to Christ’s sufferings, it also makes mention of the glory that will follow; we are on the same trajectory, counting the sufferings of the present time as insignificant next to the glory of Christ.
Colossians 3:4 says, When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear together with him in glory. At present, though we are born again of God’s spirit, we are still here in mortal bodies. We eagerly await the day when our hidden life will be fully revealed and we shall be like him, seeing him as he is.
Planted Together: A Single Vine
A pivotal verse in setting forth our identification with Christ is Romans 6:5: For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Different Bible translations render this a wide array of ways: the King James says “planted together,” the ESV says “united with him,” Darby says “become identified with him,” Weymouth says “become one with him by sharing,” and Segond says “become one and the same plant with him.” The underlying Greek word carries a multiplicity of meanings, and each translation tells part of the story.
The essence can be pictured as a pair of vines planted next to the same stake driven into the soil. Both grow up together, heavenward. Both become entwined. Finally the two intertwine to become a single vine, and the vine bears fruit abundantly. In this way, we have been planted together as a single plant, have become one with him by sharing, have been united with him, and have become identified with him, together with him and together with each other.
This idea is captured in a short refrain: Planted together, a single vine. Rooted together, in growth divine. Grounded together, our life entwined. Fruited together, like him for all time.
We Became As He Was: Six “Togethers” From the Past
The next six “togethers” deal with past-tense realities based on all that Christ accomplished for us by his life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
We were crucified together with him. Galatians 2:20 says, I am crucified together with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. Having been staked together with him on the cross, we have renounced the world and cleave to our new life in Christ.
We died together with him. Romans 6:8 says, Now if we be dead together with Christ in his sufferings, we believe that we shall also live together with him in his glory. Having died together with him, we can consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus because of the coming glory.
We were buried together with him. Romans 6:4 says, Therefore we are buried together with him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Jesus Christ was immersed into death, and because he emerged victorious, so did and so will we.
We were quickened, made alive, together with him. Ephesians 2:5 says, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved. God is the One who makes the dead man spiritually alive together with Christ. Colossians 1:15 and 1:18 teach that Christ is the firstborn of every creature and the firstborn from the dead, the first to have a spiritual, imperishable resurrection body. In like manner, we who are born again await the redemption of our bodies, when we too will have such bodies.
We were raised up, awakened, together with him. Ephesians 2:6a says, And hath raised us up together. The words “raised up” should be translated “roused” or “awakened.” Being awakened involves two actions, being roused from sleep and then actually getting up, and there may be an interval between the two. Today, in this life, we have already been roused, we’re born again and we know it. Our arising from our mortal, perishable state awaits the day of Christ’s return.
We were made to sit together with him. Ephesians 2:6b says, and made us sit together with him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ conquered death and is now ascendant, sitting at the right hand of the throne of God, and how astonishing to learn that we are seated together with him. We do not yet occupy our heavenly seat in our new bodies, since that is still future, but we can enjoy today here on earth all that heavenly standing procures for us.
We Are Now His: Six “Togethers” in the Present
Our identification with Christ has secured solid benefits for us in our lives today. The following six “togethers” deal with present-tense realities we can enjoy while still living on this earth.
We are citizens together. Ephesians 2:19 says, Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Fellow citizens are citizens together, freemen in a free city with all the attendant privileges. In the meantime we are all sojourners here, just passing through.
We are fitly framed together. Ephesians 2:21 says, In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. “Joined together” indicates that the parts are fitted to each other so there are no gaps or structural deficiencies; the key is in the interconnections, and it all works because the parts have been designed to be joined together perfectly.
We are builded together. Ephesians 2:22 says, In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. God’s Church, the Church of the body, is His dwelling place, not a building, not a place, but a people, being built together on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone.
We are heirs together. Ephesians 3:6a says, That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, heirs together. As a son of Adam, Abraham, and David, Jesus at birth was already heir of universal dominion, of the land, and of the throne; as the Son of God, Christ is heir to all things, and this is now also our portion as co-inheritors with him.
We are of the same body together. Ephesians 3:6b says, and of the same body together. The body of Christ is like no other body that has ever existed. Christ is the head, and we, some having been of Israel, some having been Gentiles, are the members; that two should become one that way could only be a miracle.
We are partakers together. Ephesians 3:6c says, and partakers together of his promise in Christ by the gospel. We partake in a common lot with every born-again believer, regardless of whether we were formerly of Israel or of the Gentiles, forming one body together, partaking as partners together in a common share as our inheritance.
We Will Become As He Is: Five “Togethers” in the Future
The final five “togethers” depict the amazing future God has in store for us when Christ returns to gather the saints.
We will be caught up together. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says, Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. The words “caught up together” are the same expression used in Acts when Paul’s ship was caught up in a gale and driven off course, describing action both sudden and forceful.
We will be fashioned like him together. Philippians 3:21 says, Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. We will be transformed together to be like him; the bodies we have today are lowly, earthy, one day they will take an entirely new form: his.
We will be gathered unto him together. 2 Thessalonians 2:1 says, Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him. The words “gathered together” are the same expression used in the Gospels when Jesus laments how often he would have gathered the inhabitants of Jerusalem as a hen gathers her brood under her wings. The gathering together is not the final endpoint of our journey, but the start of our perfect, new life with Christ.
We will reign with him together. 2 Timothy 2:12a says, If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. At the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus’s face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light; we too will be radiant as we reign with him in the future.
We will ever be with him together. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 continues, and so shall we ever be together with the Lord. There is one with whom we desire to always be together, and that is the Lord. God’s purpose of the ages is that our desire to be with His Son is fulfilled, starting at Christ’s return, and that fellowship, as well as our fellowship with His Father, God, will have no end.
“Entwined Together With Christ” — A Poem in Eight Stanzas
Destination
From sufferings to glory, concealed to revealed. We suffered together, will be glorified together, made manifest together, hidden life bursting forth, on display for all to see.
Identification
Planted together, a single vine. Rooted together, in growth divine. Grounded together, our life entwined. Fruited together, like him for all time.
Immersion
Immersed, dipped, crucified together. Submerged, plunged, died together. Sunk, expunged, buried together.
Sprouting
Emerging, poked up, made alive together. Roused, stirred up, awakened together. Exalted, ensconced, seated together.
Rooting
One body, homeward bound, sojourning as freemen together. One dwelling, mosaic marvel, interlocked stones together. One habitation, grounded, built up, established, erected together.
Repatriation
Joint-possessors, common lot, receiving the full portion together. New day, new creation, forming one body together. Joint-partakers, common share, partaking as partners together.
Transformation
Carried away in one fell swoop, snatched up and away together. As he is, conformed to his image, transformed to be like him, together. At rest ‘neath the shadow of his wings, gathered securely together.
Transfiguration
Glorious array like the King of kings, reigning as rulers together. One Head uniting both heaven and earth, redeemed and angelic together. God’s own, aloft, with the Lord of lords, with him, forever together.
Key Takeaways
- Our identification with Christ can be summed up simply: we became as he was, so that we are now his and will become as he is.
- The Greek word sun, “together,” appears 21 times across the New Testament to describe this identification, spanning six past-tense, six present-tense, and five future-tense realities, plus four additional foundational “togethers” in Romans and Colossians.
- Past: we were crucified, died, buried, quickened, raised up, and seated together with Christ, all of it already accomplished in him.
- Present: we are citizens, fitly framed, builded, heirs, of the same body, and partakers together with all believers, regardless of background.
- Future: we will be caught up, fashioned like him, gathered unto him, reign with him, and ever be with him together, when Christ returns.
- The gathering together at Christ’s return is not the end of the journey but the start of our perfect, new, eternal life with him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that we are “planted together” with Christ?
The essence can be pictured as a pair of vines planted next to the same stake driven into the soil. Both grow up together, heavenward, both become entwined, and finally the two intertwine to become a single vine, and the vine bears fruit abundantly.
What are the past, present, and future “togethers” this teaching covers?
The route is: we became as he was to become as he is. The milestones are: we became as he was, in the past; we are now his, in the present; and we will become as he is, in the future, moving through six past-tense, six present-tense, and five future-tense “togethers” drawn from Romans, Ephesians, Philippians, and Thessalonians.
What does “gathered together unto him” mean in 2 Thessalonians 2:1?
The words “gathered together” are the same expression used in the Gospels when Jesus laments how often he would have gathered the inhabitants of Jerusalem as a hen gathers her brood under her wings. The gathering together is not the final endpoint of our journey, but the start of our perfect, new life with Christ.
Scripture References
Romans 8:17; Colossians 3:4; Romans 6:5; Colossians 1:15, 1:18; Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:8; Romans 6:4; Ephesians 2:5, 2:6, 2:19, 2:21, 2:22; Ephesians 3:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Philippians 3:21; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; 2 Timothy 2:12
