Colossians 2:12a – Pickles

…  having been buried with him in baptism …

Summary: Paul uses a turn of phrase that opens the door to understanding a deeper meaning of baptism and how God uses it to change us. 

Paul’s use of language is unusual. Who thinks of a baptism as a burial? 

Maybe God does …

Baptism, after all, represents a kind of cleansing. Right? 

In answer to that question, I am including a quote from an explanatory note found under the definition of Strong’s G907, baptízō, the Greek word for “baptize:”

“The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words. Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be ‘dipped’ (baptô) into boiling water and then ‘baptised’ (baptizô) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change.”*

Scripture uses the term “baptism” in several different ways.

The first one to come to mind is called “John’s baptism” (Luke 20:4, Acts 19:4). This is known as a “baptism of repentance.” It is also known as a water baptism. 

The second baptism that comes to mind is called the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4, 1 Cor 12:13 — can also be referred to as a baptism by fire). This baptism is spiritual and comes from God. 

The third type of baptism mentioned is metaphorical. This is often called a “baptism of suffering” (Mark 10:38-39, Luke 12:50). Being metaphorical doesn’t mean the suffering isn’t real. Jesus’ death on the cross was real suffering as well as a baptism of suffering. 

So, what kind of baptism is Paul talking about? 

Like the pickle in Strong’s definition of baptízō, being buried with Christ in baptism is more than simply being dipped in water. Jesus’ death and burial changed him. In a similar way, being buried in baptism changes us. 

When Paul says we are buried with Jesus in baptism, his words speak to the death of our old self (See Romans 6:1-14). This is the self that thinks only of itself. 

You might say, once baptized, we are “pickled” in the Holy Spirit. Over time the presence of God’s Spirit changes us. The old is dead, the new “self” is born again (John 3:3). 

Application: Next time you’re in a pickle, remember — you are one!  

Food for Thought: What do baptism and being buried have in common?

*”G907 – baptizō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (niv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 23 Dec, 2024. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g907/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.

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