William Peace with God Through Faith
Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rom 5:2 through 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.
Rom 5:3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
Rom 5:4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
Rom 5:5 and 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 5:6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
Rom 5:7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.
Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
Rom 5:10 For if while 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.
Rom 5:11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
v1 – Paul sums up what he previously said with this verse. Paul here is referring to true Christians when he uses the term ‘we’. He is saying the result of being justified by faith is peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember, justification is to declare or pronounce one to be righteous. This justification has nothing to do with our works, but everything to do with His grace. We are no longer enemies of God because of our sinful ways, but we are at peace because we now called righteous because of what Jesus did and our accepting this work instead of attempting to attain it on our own.
v2 – By Jesus Christ the way is opened for us to obtain the favor of God. It is only through His death, burial and resurrection that we have received access. It was only through Christ that we could even approach God, and then continue in this loving relationship with Him. We are not brought to God to discuss a relationship, but to remain with Him, to be in His family, and to walk in His light. All through faith in Christ, not through our works.
v3 – We see rejoicing as the product of something good happening. And so it is. However, not only is this due to prosperity and good health, but also in trials and suffering. And the reason for this is that trials and suffering, with the help of Christ, produces endurance or patience. Sinners are made angry when these things happen, and they are troubled by it. They do not have the loving God to console and comfort them. However, Christians see God’s handiwork in it. They have confidence in God that He is all wise and good, who has determined that it was necessary for the Christian to go through it. It is a way that He kind of weans us from the ways of the world through the patience it produces.
v4 – Then, when we are patient in trials, this produces character (or experience in the trial). The idea here is that they have proven their attitude and strength through troubling times. It shows the person who he is with the purpose of showing his authenticity. Trials are many times sent for this purpose. It is part of the sanctification process, which is the process of becoming like Christ. Then, this character produces hope. This shows that Christianity is genuine, unquestionably from God. They help us to understand that we are of another world, and that this world cannot affect who we now are in Christ. Hebrews says the following, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Heb 11:1. In the Hebrew, hope is that which we know is coming. It is not what we wish for. So character assures us that what is promised by God will come to pass.
v5 – And because we go through the trials we do, and we have shown our faith to be genuine, we have this hope because we trust God. We have trusted Him through the trials, therefore we trust Him in the certainty of His promises for us. And this hope does not put us to shame, in fact we glory in it. God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, and this love assures us that we are safe in Him and can trust Him in his promises to us.
v6 – Therefore, how can we now doubt God’s love? For when our strength was low and we did not follow the ways of God, Jesus the Christ came to die for our sins. Again, we could no nothing regarding this, it took God declaring us righteous because of our trust and faith in Christ. He died for us while we were yet sinners.
v7 – In essence, what he is saying is that for good and righteous men few if any would die for. In those days, one who is good is one who, not because of God’s grace but his own ways, were charitable and gave liberally to those in need. He was one who bountifully gave to the poor and needy. He was not righteous by God’s grace, but was righteous in his own eyes. Paul is saying that people would scarcely die for a self-righteous person, but maybe for one who gave much to the poor and needy.
v8 – However, Christ came and died for His enemies. Those who were against Him. This is true love. Man tends to love only those who are close to him. God loves all, including those who are against Him. He did for us what we are not willing to do.
v9 – Since we, true Christians who have been declared righteous by God through the shed blood of Christ, we shall also be saved from His wrath. He does not hold our sins against us. The penalty has been paid and we have been reconciled to God.
v10 – Now expanding on verse 9, if we were reconciled to God through Christ’s death, through justification because Jesus paid the penalty, then through His life we are saved. We died with Christ for reconciliation with God, and we were resurrected with Christ to enjoy the new life he gives us. We died with Him and we were resurrected with Him. This begins the thought of us being new creatures in Christ. John says something similar. “After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.” John 14:19.
v11 – And beyond all this, we can rejoice because we are now not separated from God anymore. We are no longer enemies but we are His friends and family. We can go to Him anytime and He will be there for us. We have full access to the Father because of the death, burial and resurrection that we have accepted as payment for the penalty we owed due to our sins. This is what is meant by atonement.