Romans 5:1-5
(This study is the 1st in a series of studies on God’s Righteousness.)
In Romans, Chapters 1-3, Paul taught us that we are all sinners (Doctrine of Condemnation). In Chapter 4, Paul taught us how sinners could be saved (Doctrine of Justification). The word “therefore” at the opening of Chapter 5 reminds us of this, and then calls our attention to the results of this wonderful salvation.
The first five verses of Chapter 5 remind me of God’s distinctive and unprecedented purpose for the Church, which is the Body of Christ. Those who have been justified have been marked for glorification (Rom. 8:l3-l8, 29-30; 2 Cor. 4:14-l8; Eph. 1:4-18; 3:8-11).
Being Justified We Have Peace: verse 1.
a. “Peace” is the result of forgiveness enjoyed. It is the conscience at rest.
b. This peace is the result of our once-and-for-all “being” [Aorist tense] justified.
c. This peace comes “out of” [ek] the principle of faith, not works, or ceremony or Law.
d. This peace is fellowship [pros] “ – face to face with God.”
e. This peace is something which “we keep on having” [Present tense] with God.
f. This peace is through the person of Christ.
Being Justified We Have Security: verse 2.
a. We “have forever” [Perfect tense] this security because we “stand forever” [Perfect tense] in God’ s grace.
b. Our security is cause for “rejoicing out loud.”
c. Our security is upon the basis [epi] of the “confident assurance of the future good” [hope] “of the glory of God.” We are saved in this realm of hope (Rom. 8:24; Col. 1:27).
Being Justified We Have Blessings Because of Life: verses 3-5a.
a. Here we go from “hope” (vs. 2) to “hope” (vs. 5). Hope is our blessing!
b. In view of this blessing, we also “rejoice out loud,” glory during times of pressure, adversity, suffering or “tribulation.”
c. We “know [oida] instinctively” that tribulation works (from the inside out) patience (the ability to bear up under the trials of life).
d. Patience produces an approved quality of life (“experience”…. a proof by trial).
e. Experience brings us to the blessing of the “hope that maketh not ashamed.” A sure hope!
Being Justified We Have the Ministry of the Indwelling Holy Spirit: verse 5b.
a. The Holy Spirit is “given unto us” once-and-for-all (Aorist tense).
b. The Holy Spirit gives away a fortune (“shed abroad”) of God’s “love”(agape) in our Heart. This is called the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22) and is produced in the believer when he is filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18).
Conclusion:
Such wonderful riches of grace! No wonder Paul says we should rejoice out loud.
1. Those who had no peace (Rom. 5:10) now have peace.
2. Those who had no security (Eph. 2:12) now have security.
3. Those who had no blessing (Eph. 2:12) now have blessing.
4. Those who had no God (Eph. 2:12) now have God the Holy Spirit in them.