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.

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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

Results of Justification

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,(A) 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.(B) And not only that, but we[d] also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance,(C) and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.(D)

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.(E) 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.(F)

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Footnotes

  1. 5.1 Other ancient authorities read let us
  2. 5.2 Other ancient authorities add by faith
  3. 5.2 Or let us
  4. 5.3 Or let us

Being justified therefore by faith, let us have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access through faith into this grace, wherein we stand, and glory in the hope of the glory of the sons of God.

And not only so; but we glory also in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience trial; and trial hope;

And hope confoundeth not: because the charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, who is given to us.

For why did Christ, when as yet we were weak, according to the time, die for the ungodly?

For scarce for a just man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man some one would dare to die.

But God commendeth his charity towards us; because when as yet we were sinners, according to the time,

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Developing Patience

1-2 By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

3-5 There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

6-8 Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.

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