Romans — Chapter 5

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1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

17For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

18Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

19For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

1Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;

2through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness;

4and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope:

5and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.

6For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly.

7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: for peradventure for the good man some one would even dare to die.

8But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath [of God] through him.

10For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life;

11and not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

12Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:--

13for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam`s transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come.

15But not as the trespass, so also [is] the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many.

16And not as through one that sinned, [so] is the gift: for the judgment [came] of one unto condemnation, but the free gift [came] of many trespasses unto justification.

17For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, [even] Jesus Christ.

18So then as through one trespass [the judgment came] unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness [the free gift came] unto all men to justification of life.

19For as through the one man`s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous.

20And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:

21that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2through whom we have also obtained access into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory.

3Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

4and endurance, character, and character, hope.

5And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

7(For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.)

8But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9Much more then, because we have now been declared righteous by his blood, we will be saved through him from God’s wrath.

10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life?

11Not only this, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

12So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all people because all sinned—

13for before the law was given, sin was in the world, but there is no accounting for sin when there is no law.

14Yet death reigned from Adam until Moses even over those who did not sin in the same way that Adam (who is a type of the coming one) transgressed.

15But the gracious gift is not like the transgression. For if the many died through the transgression of the one man, how much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man Jesus Christ multiply to the many!

16And the gift is not like the one who sinned. For judgment, resulting from the one transgression, led to condemnation, but the gracious gift from the many failures led to justification.

17For if, by the transgression of the one man, death reigned through the one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ!

18Consequently, just as condemnation for all people came through one transgression, so too through the one righteous act came righteousness leading to life for all people.

19For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were constituted sinners, so also through the obedience of one man many will be constituted righteous.

20Now the law came in so that the transgression may increase, but where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more,

21so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;

2through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance;

4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope:

5and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

7For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die.

8But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God’s wrath through him.

10For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.

11Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

12Therefore as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned.

13For until the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not charged when there is no law.

14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren’t like Adam’s disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come.

15But the free gift isn’t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

16The gift is not as through one who sinned: for the judgment came by one to condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses to justification.

17For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.

18So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life.

19For as through the one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous.

20The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly;

21that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Justified by faith, we have peace with God and rejoice in hope and even in suffering — for as sin and death entered through Adam, so grace and life overflow through Christ, and "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound."

Authorship & Background

Author: Paul (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapter 5 presents the results of justification (vv.1-11) and the theological foundation for it — the Adam/Christ parallel (vv.12-21). Having established HOW we are justified (by faith, chapter 4), Paul now shows WHAT justification produces and WHY it works.
The Results of Justification (vv.1-11): Five blessings flow from being justified: (1) Peace with God (v.1), (2) Access to grace (v.2), (3) Hope of glory (v.2), (4) Purpose in suffering (vv.3-5), (5) Assurance of salvation (vv.9-11). The justified person has a completely new relationship with God — from enemy to friend, from condemned to secure.
The Adam/Christ Parallel (vv.12-21): One of the most theologically significant passages in the Bible. Paul compares Adam and Christ as two "representative heads" of humanity. Through Adam: sin, condemnation, death. Through Christ: grace, justification, life. The key principle: "much more" — grace always exceeds sin. Where sin abounded, grace "much more" abounded (v.20).
"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (v.8): The most powerful statement of God's love in the Bible. God didn't wait for us to become lovable — He loved us at our worst. This is the nature of grace: undeserved, unsolicited, unconditional.

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the five results of justification, the demonstration of God's love, and the Adam/Christ parallel.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "While We Were Yet Sinners" on v.8 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 631) "While we were yet sinners — not after we repented, not after we improved, not after we became lovable — while we were yet sinners. That is the timing of God's love. He loved us at our worst. He didn't wait for us to deserve it. He loved us when we were His enemies. That is grace." Sermon: "Where Sin Abounded" on v.20 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1364) "Where sin abounded, grace did MUCH MORE abound. Not equally — much more. Grace always exceeds sin. Your sin is great? Grace is greater. Your failure is deep? Grace is deeper. You cannot out-sin grace — though you must never try."

Videos

The Bible Project — Romans Overview

Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)

Reflection

  • 1. "We have peace with God" (v.1). Not "we feel peaceful" but "we HAVE peace" — the war is over. If you are justified by faith, you are no longer God's enemy. Do you live in that peace, or do you still relate to God as if He's angry with you?
  • 2. "Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope" (vv.3-4). Suffering has a purpose — it produces character. What suffering in your life is God using to build patience, proven character, and hope?
  • 3. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (v.8). God loved you at your worst — not after you cleaned up. How does this truth change how you approach God? Do you come to Him as you are, or do you try to be "good enough" first?
  • 4. "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (v.20). No matter how deep your sin, grace goes deeper. Is there a sin in your past that you think is too great for grace? This verse says otherwise.
  • 5. Paul says we "rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (v.2) AND "glory in tribulations" (v.3). How do you hold together hope for future glory and present suffering? What does it look like to rejoice in BOTH?
  • 6. The chain in vv.3-5 (tribulation → patience → experience → hope) shows that spiritual maturity comes through suffering, not around it. Are you trying to avoid the process God is using to grow you?
  • 7. "God commendeth his love" (v.8) — He demonstrates it, proves it, shows it. The cross is not just a doctrine — it is a demonstration. When you look at the cross, what does it tell you about how God feels about you?
  • 8. Through Adam: sin, condemnation, death. Through Christ: grace, justification, life (vv.12-21). Which "head" are you in — Adam or Christ? What difference does it make in your daily life to know you are "in Christ"?
  • 9. "Grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life" (v.21). Grace doesn't just forgive — it REIGNS. It rules your life. Is grace reigning in your life, or is sin still on the throne?