{For if we have become united with him by the likeness of his
death} (ei gar sumphutoi gegonamen t(9369) homoi(936d)ati tou thanatou
autou). Condition of the first class, assumed to be true.
Sumphutoi is old verbal adjective from sumphu(935c), to grow
together. Baptism as a picture of death and burial symbolizes our
likeness to Christ in his death. {We shall be also united in the
likeness of his resurrection} (alla kai t(8873) anastase(9373)
esometha). The conclusion to the previous condition introduced
by alla kai as often and 	oi homoi(936d)ati (in the likeness)
must be understood before 	(8873) anastase(9373) (of his resurrection).
Baptism is a picture of the past and of the present and a
prophecy of the future, the matchless preacher of the new life in
Christ.