UNROLL
A short Roman sword laid down in tall grass in a quiet field at dawn, dew on the blade.

The Book of

Romans 5

The war is over. Paul shows what it means to be at peace with God, and how far back the trouble began.

21 verses≈ 4 min2 peopleBSB

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1–3:20The problemEveryone needs the gospel
  2. 3:21–5The answerRight with God by faithChapter 5
  3. 6–8New lifeFree in Christ, led by the Spirit
  4. 9–11God and IsraelHis promises stand
  5. 12–16Living itLove in a church of Jews and Gentiles

The Triumph of Faith

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Romans 5:1

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through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

The chain

producesbecauseSuffering“rejoice in oursufferings”Perseverancestaying under the load(5:3)Characterproven, tested faith(5:4)Hope“hope does notdisappoint us”God’s lovepoured out“through the HolySpirit” (5:5)

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Paul links suffering to hope, one step at a time. Hard things, met with faith, produce perseverance, then proven character, then hope. And that hope is sure, not because we are strong, but “because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”

Reflect

Peace with God

Paul says that “since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God.” Not a feeling that comes and goes, but a settled fact. Where do you still live as if God were against you? What hard thing in your life right now might God be using to produce perseverance, character and hope?

Christ’s Sacrifice for the Ungodly

Dark storm clouds over a deep rocky valley breaking open, with shafts of early light falling into it.

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For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Romans Road · 2 of 5

But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!

For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Question

Quick question

Paul says God proved His love for us at a particular moment.

According to 5:8, when did Christ die for us?

Death in Adam, Life in Christ

Paul

But the gift is not like the trespass.

Romans 5:15

Adam and Christ

“a pattern”Adam“one trespass” (5:18)Condemnation“the many were madesinners”Death reigned“sin reigned in death”(5:21)Christ“one act ofrighteousness”Justificationthe many “maderighteous”Grace reignsto bring “eternallife” (5:21)

Whiteboard

Two men, two acts, two outcomes. Through Adam’s one trespass came condemnation and death. Through Christ’s “one act of righteousness” came justification and life. Adam is “a pattern of the One to come,” but the gift is far greater than the trespass: “how much more.”

So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

where sin increased, grace increased all the more

Romans 5:20

Pray

Grace all the more

Thank God that “where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” Name before Him whatever makes you feel your sin is too much for His grace. Then thank Him that through the obedience of Jesus “the many will be made righteous,” and that grace now reigns “to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

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Romans 5

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A verse to carry with you

But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

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