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Chapter 5

Faith, Hope, and Love.[a] Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace[b] with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,(A) through whom we have gained access [by faith] to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.(B) Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope,(C) and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.(D) For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die.[c] But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.(E) How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath.(F) 10 Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life.(G) 11 Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Humanity’s Sin Through Adam. 12 [d]Therefore, just as through one person sin entered the world,(H) and through sin, death, and thus death came to all, inasmuch as all sinned[e] 13 for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law.(I) 14 But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who was to come.(J)

Grace and Life Through Christ. 15 But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by that one person’s transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one person Jesus Christ overflow for the many. 16 And the gift is not like the result of the one person’s sinning. For after one sin there was the judgment that brought condemnation; but the gift, after many transgressions, brought acquittal. 17 For if, by the transgression of one person, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one person Jesus Christ. 18 In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all.(K) 19 For just as through the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous.(L) 20 The law entered in[f] so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more,(M) 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.(N)

Footnotes

  1. 5:1–11 Popular piety frequently construed reverses and troubles as punishment for sin; cf. Jn 9:2. Paul therefore assures believers that God’s justifying action in Jesus Christ is a declaration of peace. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ displays God’s initiative in certifying humanity for unimpeded access into the divine presence. Reconciliation is God’s gift of pardon to the entire human race. Through faith one benefits personally from this pardon or, in Paul’s term, is justified. The ultimate aim of God is to liberate believers from the pre-Christian self as described in Rom 1–3. Since this liberation will first find completion in the believer’s resurrection, salvation is described as future in Rom 5:10. Because this fullness of salvation belongs to the future it is called the Christian hope. Paul’s Greek term for hope does not, however, suggest a note of uncertainty, to the effect: “I wonder whether God really means it.” Rather, God’s promise in the gospel fills believers with expectation and anticipation for the climactic gift of unalloyed commitment in the holy Spirit to the performance of the will of God. The persecutions that attend Christian commitment are to teach believers patience and to strengthen this hope, which will not disappoint them because the holy Spirit dwells in their hearts and imbues them with God’s love (Rom 5:5).
  2. 5:1 We have peace: a number of manuscripts, versions, and church Fathers read “Let us have peace”; cf. Rom 14:19.
  3. 5:7 In the world of Paul’s time the good person is especially one who is magnanimous to others.
  4. 5:12–21 Paul reflects on the sin of Adam (Gn 3:1–13) in the light of the redemptive mystery of Christ. Sin, as used in the singular by Paul, refers to the dreadful power that has gripped humanity, which is now in revolt against the Creator and engaged in the exaltation of its own desires and interests. But no one has a right to say, “Adam made me do it,” for all are culpable (Rom 5:12): Gentiles under the demands of the law written in their hearts (Rom 2:14–15), and Jews under the Mosaic covenant. Through the Old Testament law, the sinfulness of humanity that was operative from the beginning (Rom 5:13) found further stimulation, with the result that sins were generated in even greater abundance. According to Rom 5:15–21, God’s act in Christ is in total contrast to the disastrous effects of the virus of sin that invaded humanity through Adam’s crime.
  5. 5:12 Inasmuch as all sinned: others translate “because all sinned,” and understand Rom 5:13 as a parenthetical remark. Unlike Wis 2:24, Paul does not ascribe the entry of death to the devil.
  6. 5:20 The law entered in: sin had made its entrance (Rom 5:12); now the law comes in alongside sin. See notes on Rom 1:18–32; 5:12–21. Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more: Paul declares that grace outmatches the productivity of sin.

Results of Justification

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access[b] to this grace in which we stand; and we[c] boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we[d] also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God.[e] 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Adam and Christ

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned— 13 sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. 14 Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. 16 And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. 17 If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

18 Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. 19 For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification[f] leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 5:1 Other ancient authorities read let us
  2. Romans 5:2 Other ancient authorities add by faith
  3. Romans 5:2 Or let us
  4. Romans 5:3 Or let us
  5. Romans 5:9 Gk the wrath
  6. Romans 5:21 Or righteousness

Right with God

Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He has brought us by faith into this experience of God's grace, in which we now live. And so we boast[b] of the hope we have of sharing God's glory! We also boast[c] of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God's approval, and his approval creates hope. This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to us.

For when we were still helpless, Christ died for the wicked at the time that God chose. It is a difficult thing for someone to die for a righteous person. It may even be that someone might dare to die for a good person. But God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! By his blood[d] we are now put right with God; how much more, then, will we be saved by him from God's anger! 10 We were God's enemies, but he made us his friends through the death of his Son. Now that we are God's friends, how much more will we be saved by Christ's life! 11 But that is not all; we rejoice because of what God has done through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has now made us God's friends.

Adam and Christ

12 (A)Sin came into the world through one man, and his sin brought death with it. As a result, death has spread to the whole human race because everyone has sinned. 13 There was sin in the world before the Law was given; but where there is no law, no account is kept of sins. 14 But from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, death ruled over all human beings, even over those who did not sin in the same way that Adam did when he disobeyed God's command.

Adam was a figure of the one who was to come. 15 But the two are not the same, because God's free gift is not like Adam's sin. It is true that many people died because of the sin of that one man. But God's grace is much greater, and so is his free gift to so many people through the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. 16 And there is a difference between God's gift and the sin of one man. After the one sin, came the judgment of “Guilty”; but after so many sins, comes the undeserved gift of “Not guilty!” 17 It is true that through the sin of one man death began to rule because of that one man. But how much greater is the result of what was done by the one man, Jesus Christ! All who receive God's abundant grace and are freely put right with him will rule in life through Christ.

18 (B)So then, as the one sin condemned all people, in the same way the one righteous act sets all people free and gives them life. 19 And just as all people were made sinners as the result of the disobedience of one man, in the same way they will all be put right with God as the result of the obedience of the one man.

20 Law was introduced in order to increase wrongdoing; but where sin increased, God's grace increased much more. 21 So then, just as sin ruled by means of death, so also God's grace rules by means of righteousness, leading us to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 5:1 we have; some manuscripts have let us have.
  2. Romans 5:2 we boast; or let us boast.
  3. Romans 5:3 We also boast; or Let us also boast.
  4. Romans 5:9 By his blood; or By his sacrificial death.

Results of Justification

(A)Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a](B)we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have (C)obtained our introduction by faith into this grace (D)in which we stand; and [b]we celebrate in hope of the glory of God. (E)And not only this, but [c]we also (F)celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about (G)perseverance; and (H)perseverance, (I)proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope (J)does not disappoint, because the love of God has been (K)poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

For while we were still (L)helpless, (M)at the right time (N)Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous person; [d]though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die. But God (O)demonstrates (P)His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, (Q)Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified [e](R)by His blood, we shall be saved (S)from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were (T)enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved [f](U)by His life. 11 (V)And not only this, but [g]we also celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received (W)the reconciliation.

12 Therefore, just as through (X)one man sin entered into the world, and (Y)death through sin, and (Z)so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned— 13 for [h]until the Law sin was in the world, but (AA)sin is not [i]counted against anyone when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned (AB)in the likeness of the [j]violation committed by Adam, who is a [k](AC)type of Him who was to come.

15 But [l]the gracious gift is not like the offense. For if by the offense of (AD)the one (AE)the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by (AF)the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many. 16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand (AG)the judgment arose from one offense, [m]resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the gracious gift arose from many offenses, [n]resulting in justification. 17 For if by the offense of the one, death reigned (AH)through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness (AI)reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

18 So then, as through (AJ)one offense [o]the result was condemnation to all mankind, so also through one (AK)act of righteousness [p]the result was (AL)justification of life to all mankind. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience (AM)the many (AN)were made sinners, so also through (AO)the obedience of the One (AP)the many will be made righteous. 20 [q](AQ)The Law came in so that the offense would increase; but where sin increased, (AR)grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as (AS)sin reigned in death, so also (AT)grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 5:1 Two early mss let’s have
  2. Romans 5:2 Lit we boast; or let’s
  3. Romans 5:3 Lit we also boast; or let’s also boast
  4. Romans 5:7 Lit for
  5. Romans 5:9 Or in
  6. Romans 5:10 Or in
  7. Romans 5:11 Lit also boasting
  8. Romans 5:13 Or until law
  9. Romans 5:13 Lit credited to
  10. Romans 5:14 I.e., of God’s command
  11. Romans 5:14 Or foreshadowing
  12. Romans 5:15 Lit not as the offense, so also is the gracious gift
  13. Romans 5:16 Lit to condemnation
  14. Romans 5:16 Lit to an act of righteousness
  15. Romans 5:18 Lit to condemnation
  16. Romans 5:18 Lit to justification
  17. Romans 5:20 Or law

Peace and Hope

Therefore, since we have been justified(A) through faith,(B) we[a] have peace(C) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,(D) through whom we have gained access(E) by faith into this grace in which we now stand.(F) And we[b] boast in the hope(G) of the glory of God. Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings,(H) because we know that suffering produces perseverance;(I) perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope(J) does not put us to shame, because God’s love(K) has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,(L) who has been given to us.

You see, at just the right time,(M) when we were still powerless,(N) Christ died for the ungodly.(O) 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.(P)

Since we have now been justified(Q) by his blood,(R) how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath(S) through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies,(T) we were reconciled(U) to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!(V) 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.(W)

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man,(X) and death through sin,(Y) and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned(Z)

13 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.(AA) 14 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,(AB) who is a pattern of the one to come.(AC)

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man,(AD) how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,(AE) overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death(AF) reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life(AG) through the one man, Jesus Christ!

18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people,(AH) so also one righteous act resulted in justification(AI) and life(AJ) for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man(AK) the many were made sinners,(AL) so also through the obedience(AM) of the one man the many will be made righteous.

20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.(AN) But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,(AO) 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death,(AP) so also grace(AQ) might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life(AR) through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 5:1 Many manuscripts let us
  2. Romans 5:2 Or let us
  3. Romans 5:3 Or let us