Bible Study Romans 5: 1-21

 

Commentary of the Book of the Romans

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Romans 5: 1-21

Text:

Results of Justification by Faith

5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and [b]we boast in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but [c]we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not put to shame, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man, [d]though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified [e]by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved [f]by His life. 11 And not only this, [g]but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

The Gift of Righteousness in Christ

12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 for [h]until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the trespass of Adam, who is a [i]type of Him who was to come.

15 But [j]the gracious gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression [k]resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the gracious gift arose from many transgressions [l]resulting in justification. 17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

18 So then as through one transgression [m]there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness [n]there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were appointed sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be appointed righteous. 20 Now [o]the Law came in so that the transgression would increase, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 1: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Justification is a singular legal declaration with ongoing consequences, not a continuous process. It is like a final ruling in a court case. This results in an objective, external "peace with God," rather than an internal feeling of calm. Due to humanity's sinful rebellion, God has historically been at war with every person. However, the primary outcome of justification is the permanent cessation of this conflict, referred to in Scripture as reconciliation with God.

Verse 2: “through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we boast in hope of the glory of God.”

The term "obtained our introduction" consistently denotes a believer's direct approach to God through the Lord Jesus Christ. This concept, once unimaginable for an Old Testament Jew, is now freely available to all who seek it. The word "stand" signifies the lasting and secure position believers hold within God’s grace. New Testament hope is a certainty, not a mere wish. It is the assurance of future experiences, guaranteed by the love of God, which the Holy Spirit instills in the hearts of believers. This divine love ensures that such hope will never be disappointed.

Verse 3: “And not only this, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction brings about perseverance;”

“Afflictions” signifies pressure, akin to the pressing of olives or grapes to extract liquid. In this context, it refers not to the usual challenges of life but to the inevitable difficulties faced by Christ's followers due to their relationship with Him. These hardships yield significant spiritual benefits (verses 3, 4). The first benefit is perseverance. Sometimes translated as "patience," this word denotes endurance, that is the capacity to remain steadfast under immense weight and pressure without yielding.

Verse 4: “and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;”

From “perseverance, we encounter the benefits of "proven character" and "hope." Our "character" serves to confirm our assurance that the glory we anticipate will indeed be realized in due time.

Verse 5: “and hope does not put to shame, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

God's abundant love for us, as highlighted in verse 8, has been generously poured into our hearts, overflowing within us. Paul shifts from the objective security we have in Christ to the more internal, subjective evidence of our belonging to Him. This evidence is implanted within our hearts: we love the One who first loved us. The Spirit given to us serves as a wonderful testament to this love. He loved us first because we were incapable of loving Him until our hearts had been changed by an act of grace. 

Verse 6: “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

The depth of God's love, as revealed in the Cross, is evident in Christ's death. This event occurred "at the right time," aligning with both divine prophecy and humanity's greatest need. Paul emphasizes this by noting that Christ died for us "still weak" , "still sinners", and "while we were enemies", highlighting the boundless nature of this love. Paul’s consistent theme is man’s inability to come to Christ until the Holy Spirit enabled us to come. He changed us first so that we would want to come to Him in repentance and faith.

Verse 7: “For one will hardly die for a righteous man, though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.”

Paul emphasizes the rarity of such a sacrifice by stating that we were neither righteous nor good people, yet Christ died for us.

Verse 8: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Through Christ's sacrifice, God's love was revealed, removing the guilt of sin. Consequently, God now saves us by grace, extending His arms to offer salvation today to His elect.

Verse 9: “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.”

Paul explains that if God went to the extreme of reconciling us through the suffering and death of His Son, He will certainly grant us final salvation through Christ's mediation and "his blood." God's continued love for those already justified ensures their final salvation. Christ's reconciling death was the ultimate and most costly expression of this love, guaranteeing the justification and glorification of those for whom He died.

Verse 10: “ For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

Paul uniquely describes Christ's sin-bearing work as reconciliation in the New Testament, an idea already present in the Old Testament, particularly in Hosea. God's alienation from humanity is ended by the removal of sin, guilt, and condemnation through Christ's death. This reconciliation is objective. However, it requires reception  through repentance and faith in Christ, which involves setting aside our own alienation and hostility. Salvation is 100% of the Lord but man has a responsibility to repent and have faith. For example, if I offer you a gift of $10000 if you will be at Main Street and Elm at 2:00pm tomorrow, while the money is a gift, you have to be at Main Street and Elm tomorrow to receive the free gift. That is how man’s responsibility is explained. You show up in repentance and faith. 

Verse 11: “And not only this, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

This means that, at this very moment, regardless of your current circumstances or challenges, you are able to find joy and rejoice in God. Consider this: you can rejoice in His existence and in His divine nature. You can also rejoice because He has provided salvation for us and is prepared to save us, sinners that we are, and ultimately bring us into His presence. He has devised a plan for our salvation, motivated by His profound love for us. Is this not sufficient cause for rejoicing? Indeed, a child of God ought to possess joy in their heart.

Verse 12: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—”

Paul begins a comparison between Adam and the Lord Jesus Christ that will not end until verse 21. Death was not natural to humanity, but was the direct result of sin. He is talking about the sin nature not individual acts of sin. Sin has two parts: its nature and the acts committed.  The universal reign of death is the consequence of sin. Paul does not explain how all mankind was involved with Adam in his sinning, but simply asserts the fact. All sinned in the sin of Adam. 

Verse 13: “for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.”

Paul's use of "Therefore" in verse 12 signifies a direct connection to previous statements. He further elaborates on these points by comparing and contrasting Adam and Christ. Paul consistently emphasizes the "one man" throughout verses 12, 15-17, and 19, underscoring his belief that both Adam and Christ were historical figures. The central focus regarding Adam is his "one man’s disobedience", through which all were deemed "sinners" (verse 19). This highlights their unity with Adam as their representative before God, resulting in their sinful state when Adam committed his transgression.

Verse 14: “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the trespass of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.”

Before the Mosaic law, all people were subject to death. Adam, as the first man and the divinely appointed head of humanity, acted as a foreshadowing of the one to come. Through his sin, Adam forfeited righteousness for all whom he represented. Similarly, God appointed Christ as the representative head of a new humanity. Through Christ's obedience, even unto death, justification was made possible for them. This teaching implies that the restoration offered through salvation mirrors the original constitution of humanity before God, but with a reversal of its initial content.

Verse 15: “But the gracious gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.”

Paul, in Romans 5:15-17, contrasts Christ and Adam. Their actions are diametrically opposed, and Christ's work, characterized by grace, surpasses Adam's sin, judgment, and condemnation. This grace brings justification, righteousness, and life to those who were spiritually ruined.

Verse 16: “And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the gracious gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.”

Salvation is a gift received through grace. Justification is the divine verdict of "not guilty," in contrast to "condemnation," which is the divine verdict of "guilty." Adam's single act of willful disobedience brought condemnation upon all humanity. Conversely, Christ's sacrifice delivers the elect from the condemnation resulting from numerous offenses.

Verse 17: “For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

Adam's sin led to universal death, a stark contrast to the outcome he anticipated and the promise Satan made: "You will be like God" (Gen. 3:5). In opposition to this, Christ's sacrifice secured eternal salvation for believers. Unlike Adam's action, Christ's act has achieved, and will continue to achieve, precisely what He intended.

Verse 18: “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.”

The federal headship of humanity, represented by Adam and Christ, establishes the foundational principle for the imputation of both sin and righteousness.

Verse 19: “For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were appointed sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be appointed righteous.”

Paul highlights the parallel between Adam and Christ: both figures directly caused condemnation or justification through their actions. Adam, as the representative and physical forefather of all humanity, led to sin and the fall for many through his transgression. Conversely, through Christ's obedience, those He represents are made righteous. Christ is the spiritual head of a new humanity, offering new birth and a living hope through His resurrection.

Verse 20: “Now the Law came in so that the transgression would increase, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,”

The law was introduced after the Fall to highlight sin as a transgression against a divine standard, thereby increasing its prevalence. While sin existed prior to the law, the law specifically revealed sin as a lapse from God's requirements. These transgressions "abounded" as the law's demands stirred up sinful desires within people's hearts. However, despite this increase in sin, "grace abounded all the more," not merely matching the offense, but surpassing it through the gracious salvation achieved by Christ.

Verse 21: “so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

This concludes the summary of the analogy between Adam and Christ.