Romans 5

Romans Chapter 5 Commentary

Overview

Romans chapter 5 deals with the grace given to believers and its blessed results. The Apostle Paul proclaims that those who have been justified by faith can enjoy peace with God, rejoice in hope, and even rejoice in tribulations. This is made even clearer by contrasting the power of sin and death brought about by Adam's sin with the victory of Christ and the abundance of grace that has been given through Him.

Structure of the Text

5:1-11: Explains the peace enjoyed by those justified by faith, steadfastness in grace, hope for God's glory, joy in tribulations, and the confirmation of God's love through the Holy Spirit.

5:12-21: Emphasizes the greatness of Christ's redemptive work by contrasting the entrance of sin and death into the world through one man, Adam, with the overflowing grace and righteousness of God through one man, Christ.

Key Themes

Justification by Faith: Justification is a gift of God's grace received not through human works but solely through faith.

Peace with God: Those who are justified are freed from enmity with God and enjoy peace.

Steadfastness in Grace and Hope: Believers stand firm in the grace given through Christ, looking forward to God's glory and rejoicing in hope.

Victory of Redemption Through Christ: The power of death resulting from Adam's sin has been overcome by the righteousness and life of Christ.

Sectional Commentary

5:1-11: The Blessed Results of Justification by Faith

5:1: "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

The Reformed tradition emphasizes that justification is given by faith, which makes peace with God possible. This is based solely on Christ's atoning work, not on human effort or merit.

The Baptist tradition also clarifies that justification by faith is the foundation of peace with God, emphasizing that this peace is a gift from God.

The Methodist tradition explains that through justification, sinners are freed from enmity with God and enjoy peace.

The Anglican tradition views justification as occurring through union with Christ, making one accepted before God.

The Lutheran tradition states that justification is given by God's grace, through which the sinner is declared righteous before God.

The Puritan tradition explains that justification brings the remission of the guilt of sin and establishes peace with God, emphasizing that this is possible only through the mediatorial work of Jesus Christ.

5:2: "through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God."

The Reformed tradition explains that by faith, we stand firm in God's grace and rejoice in the hope of God's glory.

The Methodist tradition states that through Christ, we have gained access to the throne of grace and rejoice in anticipation of the glory we will receive.

The Evangelical tradition emphasizes steadfastness in grace and the hope of the kingdom of God that are given as a result of justification.

5:3-5: "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

The Reformed tradition explains the causal relationship where suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character (experience), and character produces hope, emphasizing this as the process of sanctification for believers.

The Methodist tradition explains that we can rejoice even in suffering because this process makes us stronger and solidifies our hope.

The Lutheran tradition views suffering as refining the believer's faith and deepening their hope in God's promises.

The Anglican tradition explains that suffering brings perseverance, perseverance brings mature experience, and experience brings unshakeable hope.

The Evangelical tradition sees suffering as a trial of faith, through which patience and character are developed, ultimately strengthening the hope of God's glory.

5:5: "And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

The Reformed tradition explains that hope does not put us to shame because the Holy Spirit pours God's love into our hearts.

The Methodist tradition emphasizes that through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God's love fills us abundantly, ensuring that our hope is never in vain.

The Anglican tradition highlights the special work of the Holy Spirit in overflowing God's love within us, viewing it as the source of joy derived from fellowship with Christ.

The Evangelical tradition states that the Holy Spirit is the channel through which God's love is poured into our hearts, and this love confirms our hope.

5:6-11: The Death of Christ at the Appointed Time and God's Love

The Reformed tradition emphasizes that Christ died for us while we were still sinners, thereby confirming God's love.

The Methodist tradition explains that Christ died for us when we were weak and helpless, thereby demonstrating God's love.

The Baptist tradition emphasizes that God's love was manifested through Christ's death when we were sinners, stating that this is the basis of our salvation.

The Lutheran tradition views Christ's death as evidence of God's love, which occurred while we were still sinners.

The Evangelical tradition emphasizes that Christ's death for us while we were still sinners dramatically demonstrated God's love.

5:12-21: Contrast Between Adam and Christ

5:12: "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—"

The Reformed tradition clearly states that Adam's sin was imputed to all humanity, bringing sin and death into the world. This is the core of the doctrine of original sin.

The Baptist tradition emphasizes that sin and death entered the world through Adam's disobedience, placing all humanity under sin.

The Lutheran tradition acknowledges the universality of sin and death resulting from Adam's sin, explaining that this has become the essential state of humanity.

The Puritan tradition emphasizes the ripple effect of Adam's sin on all humanity, making it clear that all are under sin.

The Pietist tradition acknowledges the universal advent of sin and death due to Adam's fall.

5:15-19: Contrast Between Adam's Transgression and Christ's Righteousness

The Reformed tradition emphasizes that the abundance of life through Christ's righteousness is far greater than the abundance of death through Adam's transgression. This shows that God's grace is far more powerful than sin.

The Methodist tradition explains that the grace resulting from Christ's obedience is far more abundant than the consequences of Adam's sin, making salvation possible.

The Baptist tradition emphasizes that the grace of life through Christ's righteousness is far greater than the influence of death resulting from Adam's sin, demonstrating the certainty of salvation.

The Anglican tradition emphasizes the superiority of Christ's redemptive work by comparing death resulting from Adam's sin with life resulting from Christ's righteousness.

The Lutheran tradition emphasizes that the grace of life through Christ's righteousness is far superior to the power of death resulting from Adam's sin.

The Evangelical tradition contrasts the spread of sin and death caused by Adam's transgression with the fullness of life and grace through Christ's righteousness, emphasizing that Christ's redemption brought a far greater victory than Adam's fall.

Original Language Insights

5:1: "εἰρήνην" (eirēnēn) - Peace. This signifies not merely the absence of conflict but complete rest and reconciliation resulting from the restoration of the relationship with God.

5:2: "εἰς τὴν χάριν" (eis tēn charin) - Into grace. This signifies entering into the realm of God's grace and standing firm within that grace.

5:12: "εἰσῆλθεν" (eisēlthen) - Entered. This signifies sin's infiltration into the world, followed by death as a consequence.

5:17: "περισσεύσῃ" (perisseusē) - To abound. This emphasizes that the life through Christ's grace and righteousness will far more abundantly overflow than the dominion of death through sin.

Theological Perspectives — Comparison by Tradition

Justification: Most traditions, including Reformed, Lutheran, Baptist, Anglican, Methodist, and Puritan, accept justification by faith as a core doctrine. However, there may be slight differences in the emphasis on the nature and results of justification.

Original Sin: The Reformed, Baptist, Puritan, and Pietist traditions strongly support the doctrine of original sin, where Adam's sin is imputed to all humanity. This significantly influences the interpretation of 5:12.

Atonement of Christ: All traditions acknowledge that Christ's death is a vicarious atonement for the sins of humanity. The verses in 5:6-11 show how God's love was confirmed through the sacrifice of Christ for sinners.

Role of the Holy Spirit: The Methodist, Anglican, and Evangelical traditions, among others, emphasize the indwelling and work of the Holy Spirit through the verse in 5:5, "God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit."

Cross-References

Romans 3:21-26: Provides the foundation for the teaching on righteousness through faith.

Romans Chapter 4: Explains the doctrine of justification by faith in detail, using the example of Abraham.

Romans Chapter 6: Deals with life after justification, i.e., dying to sin and living to righteousness.

Romans Chapter 8: Further elaborates on life in the Spirit and assurance in God's love.

Genesis Chapter 3: Provides the background for Adam's fall and the origin of sin and death.

Sermon/Application Points

Enjoy Peace with God: We are no longer enemies under sin and death, but children enjoying peace with God through Jesus Christ. Enjoy this peace with gratitude.

Stand Firm in Grace and Rejoice in Hope: Our salvation is built on the unshakeable grace of God. Persevere through suffering and rejoice in hope, looking to God's promises.

Remember Christ's Victory: The life brought by Christ's righteousness is far more powerful than the death brought by Adam's sin. Cling to this victory by faith and live boldly.

Be Assured of God's Love: Our hope is never in vain because the Holy Spirit pours God's love into our hearts. Remember God's unfailing love and offer thanks and praise.