What does ‘in Christ’ mean?

What does ἐν Χριστῷ—‘in Christ’— mean?

Previous posts outlined the foundation; now, we examine the structure. Eventually, we will explore how to live well ‘in Christ.’

This installment introduces you to the meaning of ‘in Christ.’

Some statistics

In Greek, the specific phrase we are examining is ‘in Christ’ (en Christō), which occurs 76 times in the New Testament (NT), three occurring in 1 Peter (3:16; 5:10, 14), and the remainder in Paul’s letters. At least 90 times, Paul also uses equivalent terms such as “in him,” “in the One he loves,” and closely related expressions like “through Christ” and “with Christ.”

John also takes up this vital concept of being ‘in Christ.’ For example, John recounts the last evening, when the Lord declares, “I am the true vine,” then adds (15:1-17):

Remain/abide in [en] me … Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain/abide in [en] me.

The number of times ‘in Christ’ or an equivalent term is used in the NT by multiple writers should lead us to conclude that the concept is highly significant.

Some grammar

There are times when knowing some grammar helps. Don’t worry, I’ll try to keep it short and valuable.

The phrase ‘in Christ’ (en Christō) combines a preposition and the dative case of Christos. Let me briefly explain the significance of our preposition (en).

Prepositions are words such as above, below, around, through, out, and in. They indicate a relationship with a noun or pronoun (i.e., a person, place, or thing). For instance, in the sentence “The woman walked in the park,” the preposition “in” tells us about the relationship between the woman and the park.

Greek language expert Daniel Wallace explains that “en is the workhorse of prepositions in the NT, occurring more frequently and in more varied situations than any other.” He then lists ten general categories in which en is used.

Three of these categories are of particular importance to our phrase, en Christō:

• Spatial/sphere (in) refers to where something is or where something is being done. So, “Linda is located in Christ,” which is probably best understood as being in the sphere or domain of Christ.
• Instrumental (by, with) refers to what is being done. So, “God forgives us in Christ” is what God does with or for us “in Christ.”
• Association (with) often refers to the who of close personal relationships.

Much more is involved in being ‘in Christ,’ but awareness of these categories will help us as we learn more about this concept.

That’s enough grammar for now. Hopefully, it wasn’t too bad.

Some thoughts

We might need to amend these preliminary observations as we examine more ‘in Christ’ texts.

Metaphors:

In addition to the frequency of ‘in Christ’ and its equivalent phrases, several metaphors help illustrate the realities of being ‘in Christ.’ Such metaphors include:

• body (e.g., 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:7-16), 
• temple (e.g., Ephesians 2:19-22), and
• marriage (e.g., Ephesians 5:22-32).

Visualizing:

Although the metaphors of body and temple relate to physical objects, we need to think beyond the physical for what it means to be ‘in Christ.’

Kevin Vanhoozer helpfully notes:

To be sure: believers are not in Christ spatially the way coins are in a piggy bank, but rather spherically, that is, “in the sphere of Christ’s control.” … and in a participative sense inasmuch as what we do is enact heaven—his reign—on earth.

Again, remember our grammar lesson: spherical (where), instrumental (what), and association (who).

Parallels:

Although contrasted, there are parallels between ‘in Adam’ and ‘in Christ.’

As noted in an earlier post:

Adam’s descendants may have been taller or shorter, lighter or darker, more intelligent or less—BUT essentially no different than what Adam had become.

In the same way, those who have received Jesus Christ—those who are ‘in Christ’—are distinct individuals with their own mental and physical characteristics, distinct personal histories and abilities, and so much more. Does this mean that we are like Jesus Christ?

In part, this leads us to the next point.

Identity:

Grant Macaskill, in Living in Union with Christ, provides this insight:

Our new moral life, then, is a matter not of becoming better versions of ourselves, whatever gender we might be, but of participating in him. It is sonly identity, and this is what the Spirit works to realize within us.

Not only are we ‘in Christ,’ but Christ is in us so that we can say with Paul (Galatians 2:20):

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Some definitions

We now attempt to define the term ‘in Christ.’ As with our observations, these definitions are also preliminary. They might need to be amended or expanded as we progress.

Constantine Campbell, in Paul and Union with Christ, employs four elements to define being ‘in Christ’:

To do justice to the full spectrum of Paul’s thought and language, the terms union, participation, identification, incorporation are adopted.

Vanhoozer proposes his working hypothesis as:  

To be in Christ is to commune with Christ and other communicants in the commune that is Jesus Christ.

He explains that “to commune” (verb) is an action “that embraces the ‘doing’ of participation and the ‘being’ of union. … A commune (noun) is a group of people who live together in community, sharing privileges, possessions, and responsibilities.”

Macaskill provides more of a description than a definition when he writes:

We are redefined, re-identified by our incorporation into Christ. This is the basis for his righteousness being imputed to us; it is not a transaction that occurs between external parties, Jesus and the Father, but an incorporation into a person whose relationship with God is perfect. And the Spirit who inhabits us is not an energizing infusion of power; he is very specifically Christ’s Spirit, who makes his goodness a reality in our limbs. Entry into the kingdom and moral identity within the kingdom are both defined and constituted by the identity of Jesus. The same gospel rules both.

In the final analysis, Kevin Vanhoozer admits,

While the reality of union with Christ may be simple, attempts to describe this reality are anything but.

Where to from here? 

So far, our definition of ‘in Christ’ has been general, perhaps even abstract. What will shine light on what it means to be ‘in Christ’ are specific uses and illustrations.

I propose we look at Ephesians 1:3-14, where we discover no fewer than nine references. So, let’s look at some specific references in context and attempt to discern the meaning and relevance of ‘in Christ’ for our lives.

Meanwhile, here are two things I encourage you to do:

1.    Send me your preliminary definitions of ‘in Christ.’

2.    Take some time to read Ephesians, especially 1:3-14, and identify the ‘in Christ’ references.

You can reach me using this link.

FORWARD TO the next post in this series

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References:

• Daniel B. Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996), 372.
• Kevin J. Vanhoozer, “From ‘blessed in Christ’ to ‘being in Christ,’” in “In Christ” in Paul, ed. Michael J. Thate, et al. (Tübingen, Ger.: Mohr Siebeck, 2014), 11.
• Constantine R. Campbell, Paul and Union with Christ (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2012), 29.
• Grant Macaskill, Living in Union with Christ (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2019), 112, 56

Image credit: John B. MacDonald © 2024