The Epistles · Chapter 5 of 16
Romans 5
Being justified by faith, believers have peace with God and rejoice in hope, even glorying in tribulations that produce endurance and hope. Paul marvels that Christ died for the ungodly while we were still sinners, proving God's love. He then contrasts Adam and Christ: as one man's sin brought death to all, so one man's obedience brings grace, righteousness, and life to many, where sin abounded grace much more abounded.
What happens in Romans 5
Paul draws out the fruit of justification. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through Christ and stand in grace, rejoicing in hope of glory. Even tribulations become grounds for glorying, for they work patience, experience, and hope, and hope does not disappoint because God's love is poured into our hearts by the Spirit. Then Paul points to the proof of that love: while we were still without strength, ungodly, even enemies, Christ died for us, so that being reconciled we shall be saved by his life.
From the middle of the chapter he sets Adam and Christ side by side. Through one man, Adam, sin and death entered and spread to all. But the free gift is greater than the offence. As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, by the obedience of one, Christ, many are made righteous. Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that grace reigns through righteousness to eternal life.
Romans 5 in context
With justification established in chapters three and four, Paul now explores its results and its scope. The chapter falls in two parts: the assurance and peace of the justified, and the sweeping comparison of Adam and Christ that shows salvation is as universal in offer as the ruin brought by Adam.
The Adam and Christ parallel becomes a cornerstone for understanding how one person's act can affect the many.
Main themes of Romans 5
Romans 5 (KJV)
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.
Verses to carry from Romans 5
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”Romans 5:1
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”Romans 5:8
“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”Romans 5:20
Christian typology
How Romans 5 points to Jesus
Christ is the ground of every blessing named here. Through him we have peace with God and access into grace. His death, offered while we were still sinners and enemies, is the very demonstration of God's love, and by his life we are saved. In the second half he stands as the second Adam, the figure Paul says the first Adam prefigured. Where Adam's disobedience brought condemnation and death to all, Christ's obedience brings justification and life to many, and the gift far outweighs the offence.
All the assurance of the chapter rests on what he has done, not on what we feel. Because his single act of righteousness is greater than Adam's single sin, grace reigns, and eternal life comes through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Questions about Romans 5
What does it mean that Christ died for us while we were still sinners in Romans 5?
Paul says God demonstrates his love in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God did not wait for people to improve or deserve it. Christ died for the ungodly, the weak, even his enemies. This shows that salvation begins with God's initiative and love, not our worthiness, and gives believers confidence they will be saved through him.
How are Adam and Christ compared in Romans 5?
Paul contrasts two representative men. Through Adam's one disobedience, sin and death spread to all people. Through Christ's one act of obedience, grace, righteousness, and life come to many. Paul calls Adam a figure of the one to come. The point is that grace outweighs sin: where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, reigning through righteousness to eternal life.
Reflection
If God's love had waited for you to be worthy, it would still be waiting. But Christ died while you were weak, ungodly, even at enmity, which means his love does not depend on your progress.
When suffering presses, remember that it is quietly producing hope, and that hope rests on a love already proven at the cross, not on your circumstances.
A prayer from Romans 5
Read the whole Bible with the family
Open it in the app, study it live with someone, and let it lead you to Christ.
Open the BibleRead it togetherSee what God is doing