Romans 5

In Romans 5, Paul continues his explanation of justification by faith, emphasizing the peace and hope that believers have through Christ. He contrasts the impact of Adam's sin, which brought death to all, with Christ's obedience, which brings life and grace. This chapter explores the deep assurance that comes from God's love and the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice.

Romans 5:1 (NKJV):
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Being justified by faith means that believers are no longer condemned by their sins. They have been declared righteous by God through the work of Christ. This results in a restored relationship with God, where hostility and separation caused by sin are replaced with peace. This peace is not merely a feeling but a profound reconciliation with God, made possible through Jesus' atoning sacrifice.

Romans 5:2 (NKJV):
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.

Through Christ, believers have gained access to God's grace, a continuous state of favor and acceptance with Him. This grace is not a one-time event but an enduring condition in which Christians "stand." Because of this, they can rejoice, knowing that their future is secure in the hope of God's glory. This hope points to eternal life and the final redemption when God's presence will fully transform His people.

Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV):
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Paul explains that suffering and trials, though difficult, have a purpose for believers. Tribulations foster perseverance, a steadfastness in faith. This perseverance, in turn, shapes character, making one more Christlike and spiritually mature. A matured character strengthens one's hope in God. Rather than breaking the believer, hardships refine and deepen their reliance on God's promises and hope of future glory.

Romans 5:5 (NKJV):
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.

This hope, grounded in God's promises, never leads to disappointment or shame. It is anchored in God's love, which is not just a distant or theoretical concept but something personally experienced. The Holy Spirit, given to every believer, pours God's love into their hearts, assuring them of God's presence and care. This divine love is the foundation of the believer's hope, making it certain and unshakeable.

Romans 5:6-8 (NKJV):
6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
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.

At a time when humanity was powerless and unable to save itself, Christ's sacrifice intervened. Unlike human love, which is often conditional or reserved for the deserving, God's love transcends this. People rarely die for a righteous person, but Christ died for sinners—those in rebellion against God. This ultimate act of love demonstrates God's deep commitment to saving humanity, showing that His love is not based on our merit but on His grace.

Romans 5:9 (NKJV):
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Justification through Christ's sacrifice ensures that believers are not only forgiven but also spared from the future judgment and wrath that sin would otherwise warrant.

Romans 5:10 (NKJV):
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.

This verse emphasizes that the groundwork of reconciliation—Christ's sacrificial death—exists independently of human belief. However, faith is crucial as the means by which each person receives and benefits from this reconciliation. This is consistent with Paul’s broader theology, as seen in other passages such as Ephesians 2:8-9, where it is stated, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. The distinction highlights both the sovereignty of God in providing salvation and the responsibility of individuals to respond to this gift through faith.

Romans 5:11 (NKJV):
11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

The reconciliation received through Jesus leads believers to joyfully boast in God, celebrating the transformation from alienation to a restored relationship with God.

Romans 5:12 (NKJV):
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—

This is a foundational verse in Paul's theological exposition on sin, death, and their connection to Adam's disobedience. This verse lays the groundwork for understanding the universal nature of sin and its consequences, as well as setting up the comparison between Adam and Christ.

Breakdown and Explanation
"Just as sin entered the world through one man": Paul begins by tracing the origin of sin to a single historical event associated with Adam, the first human according to Genesis. By stating that sin entered through one man, Paul emphasizes the pivotal role of Adam in the narrative of humanity's relationship with sin.

"And death through sin": Paul links sin directly to death. The idea here is that death, both physical and spiritual (separation from God), is the direct consequence of sin. This connection is based on the narrative from Genesis where God warned Adam that eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would result in spiritual death.

"And in this way death came to all people, because all sinned": Paul extends the consequence of Adam's sin to all humanity, indicating that death spread to all because all have sinned. This part of the verse underlines the universal impact of Adam's act—sin is not just an individual problem but a universal human condition.

Theological Significance
Original Sin: This verse is frequently referenced in discussions about the doctrine of original sin, which posits that Adam's initial disobedience has impacted every human being. According to this doctrine, Adam's sin led to a fallen state inherited by all. The nature of this inheritance—whether viewed as literal guilt passed on, a predisposition towards sinning, or a corrupted environment—varies among Christian denominations. The predisposition towards sinning is often considered the most plausible interpretation.

Universal Death: By linking death directly to sin and tracing both to Adam, Paul establishes why death is universal. Death comes to all because all have sinned, reflecting a shared, inherent corruption that affects all humanity.

Setup for Christ’s Redemption: Romans 5:12 serves as a setup for the subsequent verses where Paul contrasts Adam's act with Christ’s act. Just as sin and death entered through Adam, righteousness and life come through Christ. This contrast highlights the redemptive work of Christ as not only counteracting but also surpassing the effects of Adam's sin.

This verse crucially frames the problem that Christ’s redemption solves, illustrating the depth and breadth of what is being addressed through the gospel. It’s about more than individual sins; it’s about a cosmic restoration from a state of death and sin to one of life and righteousness.

Romans 5:13-14 (NKJV)
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.

Sin existed even before the Mosaic Law and was not imputed in the same legalistic terms without the law, yet the reality of death as a consequence of sin was universally manifest, affirming sin's pervasive influence from Adam to Moses. Adam is presented as a foreshadowing of Christ, but in a contrasting role—where Adam introduced death, Christ introduces life.

Romans 5:15-16 (NKJV):
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.

Paul emphasizes the superiority of Christ’s gift over Adam’s offense. While Adam’s sin led to death for many, Christ’s grace offers life to even more. Adam’s disobedience brought judgment and condemnation, but Christ’s obedience brings justification—righteousness before God. Where Adam’s failure resulted in death for all, Christ’s sacrifice results in life and grace, overflowing to many despite their sins.

Romans 5:17 (NKJV):
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.)

Through Adam's transgression, death came to rule over humanity, casting a shadow of sin and mortality. However, the advent of Jesus Christ marks a profound reversal of this dominion. Believers are endowed with God's abundant grace and the transformative gift of righteousness, which empower them not merely to live but to reign in life. This reign is not a distant promise but a present reality, where the oppressive rule of death is replaced by a vibrant reign of life. Through Christ, believers are equipped and empowered to overcome the limitations imposed by sin and to lead lives characterized by victory and divine authority. This empowerment enables them to manifest the qualities of the Kingdom of God here and now, actively participating in a life that transcends mere survival and embraces triumphant living through the righteousness bestowed by Christ.

Romans 5:18 (NKJV)
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.

A single act by Adam led to universal condemnation, while a single act of righteousness by Christ—his death and resurrection—offers justification and life to all who accept it.

Romans 5:19 (NKJV)
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

Adam's disobedience made many sinners, but Christ's obedience makes many righteous. This theme of reversal and restoration is central to Paul's argument.

Romans 5:20 (NKJV)
20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,

The law was given to reveal the extent of human sinfulness, making sin more apparent. However, as sin abounded, God's grace abounded even more, providing a superabundance of forgiveness and moral transformation.

Romans 5:21 (NKJV):
21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The ultimate goal is that grace, rather than sin, might reign through righteousness, culminating in eternal life provided through Jesus Christ. This presents a complete reversal of the dominion of sin and death, establishing a new reign of grace and life.