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Faith Brings Joy

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace[a] with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Adam and Christ Contrasted

12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. 5:1 Some manuscripts read let us have peace.

Results of Justification

Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our [a]hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power]. And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly. Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to willingly give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a good man [one who is noble and selfless and worthy] someone might even dare to die. But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the [b]wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today]. 11 Not only that, but we also rejoice in God [rejoicing in His love and perfection] through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received and enjoy our reconciliation [with God].(A)

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to all people [no one being able to stop it or escape its power], because they all sinned. 13 Sin was [committed] in the world before the Law [was given], but sin is not charged [against anyone] when there is no law [against it]. 14 Yet death ruled [over mankind] from Adam to Moses [the Lawgiver], even over those who had not sinned [c]as Adam did. Adam is a type of Him (Christ) who was to come [but in reverse—Adam brought destruction, Christ brought salvation].(B)

15 But the free gift [of God] is not like the trespass [because the gift of grace overwhelms the fall of man]. For if many died by one man’s trespass [Adam’s sin], much more [abundantly] did God’s grace and the gift [that comes] by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to [benefit] the many. 16 Nor is the gift [of grace] like that which came through the one who sinned. For on the one hand the judgment [following the sin] resulted from one trespass and brought condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift resulted from many trespasses and brought justification [the release from sin’s penalty for those who believe]. 17 For if by the trespass of the one (Adam), death reigned through the one (Adam), much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in [eternal] life through the One, Jesus Christ.

18 So then as through one trespass [Adam’s sin] there resulted condemnation for all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to [d]all men. 19 For just as through one man’s disobedience [his failure to hear, his carelessness] the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of the one Man the many will be made righteous and acceptable to God and brought into right standing with Him. 20 But the Law came to increase and expand [the awareness of] the trespass [by defining and unmasking sin]. But where sin increased, [God’s remarkable, gracious gift of] grace [His unmerited favor] has surpassed it and increased all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, so also grace would reign through righteousness which brings eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 5:2 In the NT the word “hope” expresses a cherished desire along with the confident assurance of obtaining that which is longed for.
  2. Romans 5:9 The “wrath of God,” with the definite article in Greek, anticipates the outpouring of God’s wrath on rebellious sinners in the tribulation period (cf Rev 6:16, 17).
  3. Romans 5:14 Lit in the likeness of Adam’s transgression.
  4. Romans 5:18 Salvation is available to all people who respond and place their personal trust in Christ.

Faith Triumphs

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith,(A) we have peace[a] with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.(B) We have also obtained access through Him(C) by faith[b] into this grace in which we stand,(D) and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that,(E) but we also rejoice in our afflictions,(F) because we know that affliction produces endurance,(G) endurance produces proven character,(H) and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us,(I) because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts(J) through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Those Declared Righteous Are Reconciled

For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment,(K) Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves(L) His own love for us(M) in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood,(N) we will be saved through Him from wrath.(O) 10 For if, while we were enemies,(P) we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life!(Q) 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have now received this reconciliation through Him.(R)

Death through Adam and Life through Christ

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man,(S) and death through sin,(T) in this way death spread to all men,(U) because all sinned.[c] 13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law.(V) 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression.(W) He is a prototype[d] of the Coming One.(X)

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift overflowed to the many by the grace of the one man,(Y) Jesus Christ. 16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment,(Z) resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification.[e] 17 Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life(AA) through the one man, Jesus Christ.

18 So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification[f](AB) for everyone. 19 For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners,(AC) so also through the one man’s obedience(AD) the many will be made righteous. 20 The law came along to multiply the trespass.(AE) But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more(AF) 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death,(AG) so also grace will reign(AH) through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 5:1 Other mss read faith, let us have peace, which can also be translated faith, let us grasp the fact that we have peace
  2. Romans 5:2 Other mss omit by faith
  3. Romans 5:12 Or have sinned
  4. Romans 5:14 Or figure, or pattern; = an OT person or thing that prefigures a NT person or thing
  5. Romans 5:16 Or acquittal
  6. Romans 5:18 Lit is justification of life

Faith Triumphs in Trouble

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

Christ in Our Place

For when we were still without strength, [d]in due time (K)Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But (L)God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified (M)by His blood, we shall be saved (N)from wrath through Him. 10 For (O)if when we were enemies (P)we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved (Q)by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also (R)rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Death in Adam, Life in Christ(S)

12 Therefore, just as (T)through one man sin entered the world, and (U)death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but (V)sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, (W)who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the [e]offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded (X)to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many [f]offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s [g]offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

18 Therefore, as through [h]one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through (Y)one[i] Man’s righteous act the free gift came (Z)to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by (AA)one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

20 Moreover (AB)the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace (AC)abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 5:1 Some ancient mss. let us have
  2. Romans 5:3 endurance
  3. Romans 5:4 approved character
  4. Romans 5:6 at the right time
  5. Romans 5:15 trespass or false step
  6. Romans 5:16 trespasses
  7. Romans 5:17 trespass
  8. Romans 5:18 Or one trespass
  9. Romans 5:18 Or one righteous act