Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Romans 5:1 - 5:5
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Rom_5:1-5
1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Rom_5:1 "therefore" This word often signaled
1. the summary of the theological argument up to this point
2. the conclusions based on this theological presentation
3. the presentation of new truth (cf. Rom_5:1; Rom_8:1; Rom_12:1)
▣ "having been justified" This is an aorist passive participle; God has justified believers. This is placed first in the Greek sentence (Rom_5:1-2) for emphasis. There seems to be a time sequence in Rom_5:1-11.
1. Rom_5:1-5, our current experience of grace
2. Rom_5:6-8, Christ's finished work on our behalf
3. Rom_5:9-11, our future hope and assurance of salvation
See outline, B. in Contextual Insights.
The OT background (remember the NT authors are Hebrew thinkers writing in street Greek) of the term "justified" (dikaioô) was a "straight edge" or "measuring reed." It came to be used metaphorically of God Himself. See Special Topic: Righteousness at Rom_1:17. God's character, holiness, is the only standard of judgment (cf. LXX of Lev_24:22; and theologically in Mat_5:48). Because of Jesus' sacrificial, substitutionary death (cf. Isaiah 53), believers have a legal (forensic) positional standing before God (see note at Rom_5:2). This does not imply the believer's lack of guilt, but rather something like amnesty. Someone else has paid the penalty (cf. 2Co_5:21). Believers have been declared forgiven (cf. Rom_5:9-10).
▣ "by faith" Faith is the hand that accepts the gift of God (cf. Rom_5:2; Rom_4:1 ff). Faith does not focus on the degree or intensity of the believer's commitment or resolve (cf. Mat_17:20), but on the character and promises of God (cf. Eph_2:8-9). The OT word for "faith" originally referred to one in a stable standing posture. It came to be used metaphorically for someone who was loyal, dependable, and trustworthy. Faith does not focus on our faithfulness or trustworthiness, but on God's. See Special Topic: Faith at Rom_4:5.
▣ "we have peace" There is a Greek manuscript variant here. This verb is either a present active subjunctive (echômen, MSS à cf8 i*, A, B*, C, D) or a present active indicative (echomen, MSS à cf8 i1, B2, F, G). This same grammatical ambiguity is found in Rom_5:1-3.
1. If it is the subjunctive it would be translated "let us continue enjoying peace" or "keep on enjoying peace."
2. If it is the indicative then it would be translated "we have peace."
The context of Rom_5:1-11 is not exhortation, but declaration of what believers already are and have through Christ. Therefore, the verb is probably present active indicative, "we have peace." The USB4 gives this option an "A" rating (certain).
Many of our ancient Greek manuscripts were produced by one person reading a text and several others making copies. Words that were pronounced alike were often confused. Here is where context and sometimes the writing style and usual vocabulary of the author helps make the translation decision easier.
▣ "peace" See Special Topic below.
hyperlink
▣ "with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" Jesus is the agency (dia, cf. Rom_5:2; Rom_5:9; Rom_5:11; Rom_5:17; Rom_5:21; of the Spirit in Rom_5:5) which brings peace with God. Jesus is the only way to peace with God (cf. Joh_10:7-8; Joh_14:6; Act_4:12; 1Ti_2:5). For the terms in the title "Lord Jesus Christ" see notes at Rom_1:4.
Rom_5:2 "we have obtained our introduction" This verb is perfect active indicative; it speaks of a past act which has been consummated and now results in a state of being.
The term "introduction" literally meant "access" or "admission" (prosagôgç, cf. Eph_2:18; Eph_3:12). It came to be used metaphorically for
1. being personally introduced to royalty
2. being brought safely into a harbor (cf. 1Pe_3:18)
This phrase contains a Greek manuscript variant. Some ancient manuscripts added "by faith" (cf. à cf8 i*,2, C, as well as some Old Latin, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic versions). Other manuscripts add a preposition to "by faith" (cf. à cf8 i1, A, and some Vulgate versions). However, the uncial manuscripts B, D, F, and G omit it altogether. It seems that scribes simply filled out the parallelism of Rom_5:1; Rom_4:16 (twice), 19, and 20. "By faith" is Paul's recurrent theme!
▣ "into this grace" This term (charis) meant God's undeserved, no-strings-attached, unmerited love (cf. Eph_2:4-9). It is clearly seen in Christ's death on behalf of sinful mankind (cf. Rom_5:8).
▣ "in which we stand" This is another perfect active indicative; literally "we stand and continue to stand." This reflects believers' theological position in Christ and their commitment to remain in the faith which combines the theological paradox of God's sovereignty (cf. 1Co_15:1) and human's free will (cf. Eph_6:11; Eph_6:13-14).
hyperlink
▣ "we exult" This grammatical form can be understood as (1) a present middle (deponent) indicative, "we exult" or (2) a present middle (deponent) subjunctive, "let us exult." Scholars are split on these options. If one takes "we have" in Rom_5:1 as an indicative then the translation should be consistent through Rom_5:3.
The root of the word "exult" is "boasting" (NRSV, JB). See Special Topic at Rom_2:17. Believers do not exult in themselves (cf. Rom_3:27), but in what the Lord has done for them (cf. Jer_9:23-24). This same Greek root is repeated in Rom_5:3; Rom_5:11.
▣ "in hope of" Paul often used this term in several different but related senses. See note at Rom_4:18. Often it was associated with the consummation of the believer's faith. This can be expressed as glory, eternal life, ultimate salvation, Second Coming, etc. The consummation is certain, but the time element is future and unknown. It was often associated with "faith" and "love" (cf. 1Co_13:13; Gal_5:5-6; Eph_4:2-5; 1Th_1:3; 1Th_5:8). A partial list of some of Paul's uses follows.
1. The Second Coming, Gal_5:5; Eph_1:18; Tit_2:13
2. Jesus is our hope, 1Ti_1:1
3. The believer to be presented to God, Col_1:22-23; 1Th_2:19
4. Hope laid up in heaven, Col_1:5
5. Ultimate salvation, 1Th_4:13
6. The glory of God, Rom_5:2; 2Co_3:12; Col_1:27
7. Assurance of salvation, 1Th_5:8-9
8. Eternal life, Tit_1:2; Tit_3:7
9. Results of Christian maturity, Rom_5:2-5
10. Redemption of all creation, Rom_8:20-22
11. A title for God, Rom_15:13
12. Adoption's consummation, Rom_8:23-25
13. OT as guide for NT believers, Rom_15:4
hyperlink
▣ "glory of God" This phrase is an OT idiom for the personal presence of God. This referred to the believer's standing before God in the faith-righteousness provided by Jesus on Resurrection Day (cf. 2Co_5:21). It is often called by the theological term "glorification" (cf. Rom_5:9-10; Rom_8:30). Believers will share the likeness of Jesus (cf. 1Jn_3:2; 2Pe_1:4). See Special Topic: Glory at Rom_3:23.
Rom_5:3
NASB "and not only this, but"
NKJV "and not only that, but"
NRSV "and not only that, but"
TEV-omit-
NJB "not only that"
Paul uses this combination of terms several times (cf. Rom_5:3; Rom_5:11; Rom_8:23; Rom_9:10, and 2Co_8:19).
NASB "we also exult in our tribulations"
NKJV "we also glory in tribulations"
NRSV "we also boast in our sufferings"
TEV "we also boast in our troubles"
NJB "let us exult, too, in our hardships"
If the world hated Jesus, it will hate His followers (cf. Mat_10:22; Mat_24:9; Joh_15:18-21). Jesus was matured, humanly speaking, by the things He suffered (cf. Heb_5:8). Suffering produces trust and maturity. Christlikeness is the plan of God for every believer, suffering is part of it (cf. Rom_8:17-19; Act_14:22; Jas_1:2-4; 1Pe_4:12-19)!
hyperlink
▣ "knowing" This is a perfect participle, of "oida." It is perfect in form, but it functions as a present tense. Believers' understanding of the truths of the gospel as they relate to suffering allows them to face life with a joy and confidence which is not dependent on circumstances, even during persecution (cf. Php_4:4; 1Th_5:16; 1Th_5:18). Believers exult "in" tribulations, not "because of" them!
Rom_5:3 "tribulation" See Special Topic following.
hyperlink
Rom_5:3-4 "perseverance" This term meant "voluntary," "active," "steadfast," "endurance." It was a term that related to both patience with people, as well as with circumstances. See Special Topic at Rom_8:25.
Rom_5:4
NASB "proven character"
NKJV, NRSV "character"
TEV "God's approval"
NJB "tested character"
In the LXX of Gen_23:16; 1Ki_10:18; 1Ch_28:18 this term was used of testing metals for purity and genuineness (cf. 2Co_2:9; 2Co_8:2; 2Co_9:13; 2Co_13:3; Php_2:22; 2Ti_2:15; Jas_1:12). God's tests are always for strengthening (cf. Heb_12:10-11)! See Special Topic: Testing at Rom_2:18.
hyperlink
Rom_5:5 "hope does not disappoint" This may be an allusion to an Hebrew idiom (i.e., shame, cf. Psa_25:3; Psa_25:20; Psa_31:1; Psa_31:17; Psa_119:116; Isa_28:16 [quoted in Rom_9:33]; Php_1:20).
▣ "because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts" This is a perfect passive indicative; literally, "God's love has been and continues to be poured out." This verb was often used of the Holy Spirit (cf. Act_2:17-18; Act_2:33; Act_10:45 and Tit_3:6), which may reflect Joe_2:28-29 (Isa_32:15).
The genitive phrase, "the love of God" grammatically can refer to (1) our love for God or (2) God's love for us (cf. Joh_3:16; 2Co_5:14). Number two is the only contextual option.
▣ "the Holy Spirit that was given to us" This is an aorist passive participle. The passive voice is often used to express God's agency. This implies that believers do not need more of the Spirit. They either have the Spirit or they are not Christians (cf. Rom_8:9). The giving of the Spirit was the sign of the New Age (cf. Joe_2:28-29), the New Covenant (cf. Jer_31:31-34; Eze_36:22-32).
▣ Notice the presence of the three divine persons of the Trinity in this paragraph.
1. God, Rom_5:1-2; Rom_5:5; Rom_5:8; Rom_5:10
2. Jesus, Rom_5:1; Rom_5:6; Rom_5:8-10
3. the Spirit, Rom_5:5
See Special Topic: The Trinity at Rom_8:11.