DRAWING NEAR
Have you ever experienced doubts about your salvation? In what way?
Why is it sometimes hard to believe that you are secure in Christ forever?
THE CONTEXT
After describing the appalling sin and lostness of all humankind, Paul revealed how Christ, by His death on the cross, has provided the way of salvation for everyone who comes to God in faith. Next, Paul moves to answer two important questions that were, no doubt, on the minds of his readers. First, how complete, or how secure is this salvation provided by Christ? Can we really be certain? What happens if we sin after turning to Christ in faith? Paul addresses this query in 5:1–11.
The second issue addressed here by Paul is, “How can what one man did at one time in history have such an absolute effect on humankind?” Paul concisely answers this question by comparing the reign of death that Adam’s sin engendered with the reign of life made possible by Christ’s perfect sacrifice. Though many people consider the latter half of Romans 5 to be one of the most enigmatic passages in the New Testament, when looked at carefully, this chapter is a source of great comfort and genuine awe in a God who is able and willing to provide such an extraordinary salvation.
KEYS TO THE TEXT
Imputed: Used in both financial and legal settings, the Greek word means to take something that belongs to someone and credit to another’s account. It is a one-sided transaction. As in the case of Abraham, Abraham did nothing to accumulate it; God simply credited it to him. God took His own righteousness and credited it to Abraham as if it were actually his. God did this because Abraham believed in Him. This is the heart of the doctrine of justification, whereby God declares the repentant sinner righteous the moment he places wholehearted faith in Christ and His sacrificial death. Christ made atonement by shedding His own blood on the cross. This provides forgiveness. And just as our sins were put to His account when He bore them on the cross, so now His righteousness is reckoned as our own. His perfect righteousness thus becomes the ground on which we stand before God.
Types: A figure, representation, or symbol of something to come, as an event in the Old Testament foreshadows another in the New Testament. Types generally find their fulfillment in the person and ministry of Christ, but they sometimes relate to God, His people, or some other reality. For instance, Melchizedek, the king-priest of Salem (Gen. 14:18–20 and Ps. 110:4), is said to be typical of Christ (Heb. 6:20). Jesus said the bronze serpent in the wilderness (Num. 21:4–9) was in some sense typical of His own crucifixion (John 3:14–15). The writer of Hebrews (Heb. 9–10) pointed out that the tabernacle typically foreshadowed the person and work of Jesus Christ. The NKJV uses the word “type” in Romans 5:14, where Paul mentions Adam as “a type of Him [Jesus] who was to come.” (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
UNLEASHING THE TEXT
Read 5:1–21, noting the key words and definitions next to the passage.
Romans 5:1–21 (NKJV)
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
having been justified (v. 1)—The Greek construction of this verb indicates a one-time legal declaration with ongoing results.
we have (v. 1)—we presently possess
peace with God (v. 1)—an external, objective reality, not a subjective, internal sense of serenity and calm
2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
access (v. 2)—introduction
stand (v. 2)—the idea of permanence, of being fixed and immovable
hope (v. 2)—a certainty not yet realized; not a wishful, uncertain dream
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
tribulations (v. 3)—extreme pressure, as in the pressure exerted to extract oil from an olive
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
perseverance (v. 4)—remaining under tremendous weight without succumbing; endurance
character (v. 4)—literally “proof,” a term used in the testing of precious metals to determine their purity
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
poured out (v. 5)—God’s love is lavished on His children.
6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
without strength (v. 6)—liter-ally “helpless,” because of their spiritual deadness
ungodly (v. 6)—a proof that Christ’s love was never based on human merit
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
because all sinned (v. 12)—All humanity existed in the loins of Adam and have through procreation inherited his fallenness and depravity. Thus it can be said that all sinned in him.
13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but 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, who is a type of Him who was to come.
a type of Him . . . to come (v. 14)—Adam and Christ were similar in that their acts affected many others.
15 But the free gift is not like the 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 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 offenses resulted in justification.
17 For if by the one man’s 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.)
death reigned (v. 17)—Adam’s sinful act brought universal death.
18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace 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.
1) Circle all the verbs in verses 1–11, noting especially their tenses.
2) How does Paul refute the erroneous notion that we receive salvation by faith but must preserve it by good works? What evidences does he give that salvation is unconditional?
3) What word picture does Paul use to drive home the truth that unbelievers are actually at war with God?
4) How did Adam’s actions affect the human race? What were the effects of Christ’s actions?
GOING DEEPER
Read the following passage and consider what the author has to say about the law’s inability to save us, Christ’s perfect sacrifice, and the possibilities this creates for relating to God.
Hebrews 10:1–4, 12–14, 19–23 (NKJV)
1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,
13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.
14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,
21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
EXPLORING THE MEANING
5) In what way was Jesus’s sacrifice different from the old sacrificial system?
6) Why do you think both of these passages (Romans 4; Hebrews 10) emphasize our access to God?
7) In what ways does this Hebrews passage echo the idea that salvation is permanent?
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Jesus Christ broke the power of sin and death, but the converse is not true. Sin and death cannot break the power of Jesus Christ. The condemnation of Adam’s sin is reversible, the redemption of Jesus Christ is not. The effect of Adam’s act is permanent only if not nullified by Christ. The effect of Christ’s act, however, is permanent for believing individuals and not subject to reversal or nullification. We have the great assurance that once we are in Jesus Christ, we are in Him forever.
REFLECTING ON THE TEXT
8) A. W. Pink said the following about our eternal security in Christ: “It is utterly and absolutely impossible that the sentence of the divine Judge should ever be revoked or reversed. Sooner shall the lightnings of omnipotence shiver the Rock of Ages than those sheltering in Him again be brought under condemnation.” How does knowing that your salvation is eternally secure affect your life on a daily basis? How does it make you feel?
9) When have you experienced God’s love being “poured out” (v. 5)?
10) What new things about God have you learned from this passage?
PERSONAL RESPONSE
Write out additional reflections, questions you may have, or a prayer.
ADDITIONAL NOTES