Romans 5 Explained – Verse by Verse Commentary

The True Meaning of Romans 5

The Epistle to the Romans, believed to be written by the apostle Paul, is a profound theological treatise that delves into the fundamental aspects of Christian faith. Paul expounds on the blessings and assurances that believers can find in their relationship with God through Jesus Christ in this particular chapter.

The chapter begins by highlighting the peace and hope that come from justification by faith, a central theme in Paul’s teachings. He then goes on to explore the concept of suffering and its role in the life of a believer, drawing parallels to the experiences of the early Christian community. Importantly, Paul reminds his readers of the love of God, which is poured out through the Holy Spirit, and the ultimate triumph of grace over sin, as foreshadowed in the life and work of Jesus Christ.

Throughout this passage, Paul makes references to other key biblical narratives, such as the story of Adam and the promise of redemption found in the Gospels. He paints a comprehensive picture of God’s plan for humanity and the transformative power of faith in Christ by weaving these threads together.

Romans 5:1-5

The apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:1-5 that we have been justified through faith, and we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, gaining access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. 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 overarching theme of this passage is the progression from justification through faith to the ultimate hope of salvation in Christ. Paul starts by emphasizing the peace that comes from being justified through faith in Jesus Christ. Justification is the act of God declaring a sinner righteous before Him because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. This justification grants believers peace with God, reconciling them to Him and removing the enmity caused by sin. This peace is not transient but a secure and unchanging state resulting from the work of Christ.

Paul then introduces the concept of boasting in the hope of the glory of God. This hope is not a wishful thinking but a confident expectation of the future glory that believers will experience in the presence of God. It is a hope that is certain because it is based on the promises of God and the work of Christ. Throughout the Bible, hope is presented as an anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19), something believers can hold onto amidst life’s trials.

The apostle Paul delves into the idea of glorying in sufferings, which might seem paradoxical. However, he explains that suffering plays a crucial role in the life of a believer. Suffering produces perseverance, the quality of enduring hardship with patience and steadfastness. Perseverance, in turn, refines character, shaping believers to reflect the image of Christ more fully. This character development leads to a deepened hope, a hope that is steadfast and unwavering because it is rooted in God’s faithfulness and love.

Central to this passage is the concept of God’s love being poured out into the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit. This outpouring of love is a tangible demonstration of God’s presence and care for His people. The Holy Spirit, given to believers as a seal of their salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14), is the source of strength, comfort, and guidance in their lives. Romans 5:1-5 beautifully encapsulates the journey of a Christian from justification through faith, to hope in the glory of God, to perseverance through suffering, to the transformation of character, and ultimately to the assurance of God’s love through the Holy Spirit. It reminds believers that while suffering is a part of the Christian walk, it is not in vain, but a means through which God refines and shapes them for His purposes, ultimately leading to a deepened hope and assurance in His love.

Romans 5:6-11

Jesus Christ made an incredible act of love and sacrifice for humanity in Romans 5:6-11. Let’s break down this powerful verse into sections and explore their significance:

1. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”

2. This section emphasizes the timing of Jesus’ sacrifice, highlighting that it was not random or arbitrary but perfectly orchestrated by God. It underscores the state of humanity before Christ’s sacrifice – powerless and ungodly, in need of a savior. This act of selfless love by Christ, dying for the ungodly, signifies the depth of God’s grace and mercy towards all people, regardless of their sins or shortcomings. This sacrificial act embodies the core message of Christianity – that salvation is offered to all through faith in Christ, not based on our own merit or righteousness.

3. “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

4. This section contrasts human love and divine love, illustrating the depth and uniqueness of God’s love for mankind. Human nature tends to show love towards those who are considered deserving or righteous, but God’s love transcends human comprehension by extending to sinners. This act of sacrificial love is unparalleled and serves as a powerful demonstration of God’s unconditional love towards humanity. This verse echoes the sentiment in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

5. “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”

6. This section delves into the concepts of justification and salvation through Christ’s sacrifice. Justification refers to being declared righteous before God through faith in Jesus Christ and his shed blood. We are saved from the wrath of God by accepting Christ as our Savior. The reconciliation mentioned here signifies the restoration of the broken relationship between humanity and God through Jesus’ death on the cross. The mention of being saved through Christ’s life emphasizes the ongoing work of Christ in our lives, not just in our initial salvation but in our daily walk with Him. This passage reinforces the idea of salvation being a gift from God, not earned through works, as declared in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

7. “Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

8. This final section encourages believers to boast in God and in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Instead of boasting in our own achievements or abilities, we are called to exalt God for His amazing grace and the reconciliation we have received through Christ. This reconciliation not only mends our relationship with God but also has the power to transform our lives and relationships with others. It reminds us that our identity is found in Christ and our salvation is a result of His redemptive work on the cross. Romans 5:6-11 highlights the profound love, grace, and salvation that God offers to humanity through Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the undeserved nature of God’s love, the significance of Christ’s sacrifice, and the eternal impact of reconciliation with God. This passage serves as a reminder of the core tenets of the Christian faith – love, redemption, and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:12-14

The passage in Romans 5:12-14 discusses the impact of sin and salvation through Adam and Jesus Christ. Let’s break this section down into key components for deeper analysis. Verse 12 states, “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.”” This verse is referring to the story of Adam in the book of Genesis. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden by eating the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, sin entered the world. This act of rebellion brought about the consequence of death not only on them but on all their descendants. This event is crucial in understanding the foundation of sin and its universal effect on humanity. It shows the connection between Adam’s sin and the fallen nature of humanity, highlighting the need for salvation.

Moving on to verse 13, it reads, “To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.” This verse emphasizes the period before the Law of Moses was given to the Israelites. It acknowledges that sin existed even before the Mosaic law was established. However, sin is not imputed where there is no law. This highlights the idea that sin is ultimately disobedience to God’s commands, whether explicit or implicit. The law serves to reveal and define sin, making people aware of their transgressions. This concept underscores the importance of God’s law in exposing human sinfulness and pointing towards the need for a Savior.

Finally, in verse 14, it mentions, “Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.” This verse draws a comparison between Adam and Jesus Christ. Adam’s transgression brought sin and death into the world, affecting all humanity. Even before the Law was given through Moses, death still reigned because of the inherited sin nature from Adam. However, Adam is described as a type, a foreshadowing of the One to come, referring to Jesus Christ. While Adam’s sin had devastating consequences, Christ, through His obedience and sacrificial death on the cross, brought the gift of salvation and reconciliation with God. Romans 5:12-14 delves into the theological significance of the fall of man through Adam’s sin and the redemption brought by Jesus Christ. It underscores the universal impact of sin and death, as well as the pivotal role of Christ in offering forgiveness and eternal life. This passage highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between sin and redemption, emphasizing the need for faith in Christ as the remedy for the sin problem inherited from Adam. It sets the stage for the discussion on the contrasting effects of Adam’s disobedience and Christ’s obedience seen throughout the rest of Romans 5.

Romans 5:15-17

The verses in Romans 5:15-17 talk about the contrast between the consequences of Adam’s sin and the gift of grace through Jesus Christ. Let’s break it down further:

“But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.” (Romans 5:15)

This verse emphasizes the difference between the impact of Adam’s sin and the gift of grace through Jesus Christ. It highlights that through Adam’s sin, many experienced death and separation from God. However, the grace of God and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is abundant and available to many. This verse underscores the immense grace and love of God in providing a pathway to reconciliation and redemption for humanity through Jesus Christ. This idea of the redemption through Christ contrasts with the fall through Adam mentioned in earlier verses in Romans 5:12-14.

“And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:16-17)

These verses deepen the comparison between Adam and Jesus. Adam’s sin brought condemnation and death to all, highlighting the consequences of humanity’s fall into sin. The free gift of grace through Jesus Christ brings justification and righteousness, enabling believers to reign in life. The abounding grace of God far surpasses the impact of sin, offering believers not just forgiveness but also the gift of righteousness and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. This passage underscores the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice and the new life that believers can experience through Him.

The contrast between Adam and Jesus Christ is a recurring theme in the Bible, especially in the New Testament. The verse in 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”” This verse echoes the sentiment of Romans 5, emphasizing the universal impact of Adam’s sin and the universal salvation offered through Jesus Christ. The verses in Romans 5:15-17 serve as a powerful reminder of the magnitude of God’s grace and the redemptive work accomplished through Jesus Christ, highlighting the hope and new life that believers receive through Him.

Romans 5:18-21

Romans 5:18-21 is a powerful passage that delves into the concept of sin and salvation. Let’s break it down section by section:

1. “Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.”

This section draws a parallel between the impact of Adam’s sin on all humanity and the impact of Jesus’ righteousness. The one trespass of Adam brought condemnation to all, emphasizing the universal effect of sin. This echoes back to the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis where their disobedience in eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil led to the introduction of sin into the world. The contrast is then made with Jesus’ righteous act (His sacrificial death on the cross) which brings justification and life to all who believe in Him. This highlights the central theme of salvation through faith in Christ and the immense grace of God in providing a way for humanity to be reconciled to Him.

1. “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.”

Here, the impact of Adam’s disobedience and Jesus’ obedience is compared. Through Adam’s disobedience, sin entered the world, and all people were made sinners because of his actions. This points to the sin nature inherited by all humanity as a result of Adam’s sin. However, through the obedience of Jesus in fulfilling the will of the Father and offering Himself as a sacrifice for sin, the many can be made righteous. This draws a parallel between Adam as the representative of the old humanity, and Jesus as the representative of the new humanity. Through faith in Jesus, believers are no longer identified with Adam’s sin, but are now identified with Christ and His righteousness.

1. “The law was brought in so that the trespass might 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. This section emphasizes the role of the law in relation to sin and grace. The law, given through Moses, exposed the extent of human sinfulness and the need for a Savior. The law highlighted human inability to attain righteousness on their own and pointed to the necessity of grace for salvation. The contrast between sin and grace is starkly presented – where sin increased due to the law revealing human inadequacy, grace abounded even more. This highlights the extravagant nature of God’s grace and His desire for all to come to repentance and experience His mercy. Through the righteousness of Christ, grace reigns, offering eternal life to those who believe. This section underscores the triumph of grace over sin and the hope found in Christ for all who put their trust in Him. Romans 5:18-21 encapsulates the profound theological truths of sin, salvation, and grace. It emphasizes the universal effects of Adam’s sin and the universal offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The passage underscores the need for a Savior, the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, and the abundance of God’s grace. It serves as a reminder of the foundational principles of Christian faith and the redemptive work of Christ for all who believe.

After Romans 5

We learned about the power of God’s love and grace to bring us salvation in Romans 5. Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we have been justified and reconciled to God. This chapter reminds us of the depth of God’s love for us and the hope we have in Him. Let us reflect on the truths revealed in Romans 5 as we hold fast to our faith and trust in God’s plan for our lives. The assurance of our salvation and the peace that comes from knowing we are loved by our Heavenly Father should encourage us. In the next chapter, we will delve deeper into the concept of grace and explore how it transforms our lives. Let us continue seeking God’s presence and guidance as we journey through the pages of Romans.