Romans Chapter Five
Words Of Truth

Words Of Truth


"That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

Study Notes For Romans
Chapter Five

Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

  • “Therefore” ties this sentence backwards to the previous context (Romans 4:13-25).
  • Justification by faith (Romans 3:26, Romans 3:28, Romans 3:30, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:8-11, and Galatians 3:24).
  • There is no justification by “faith alone” (Romans 2:13 and James 2:21-24).
  • Peace with God through Christ (Acts 10:36 and Philippians 4:7).
  • We have access by faith into grace through Jesus Christ (John 1:17 and Romans 3:24).
  • Staying put, standing, in the grace of the Lord (I Peter 5:12; cf. Philippians 4:1).
  • Continuing to learn from grace and grow in grace (Titus 2:11-14 and II Peter 3:18).
  • Rejoicing in hope (Romans 12:12 and Hebrews 3:1-6).
  • Hope will save the saints who endure in hope (Romans 8:24-25).

Romans 5:3-4 “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:”

  • Tribulation meaning: “pressure (literally or figuratively): - afflicted, (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble” (Strong’s # 2347).
  • To glory [joy; rejoice] in such (Matthew 5:10-12, Luke 6:22-23, Romans 8:17-18, and I Peter 4:13-16).
  • Yet, there is danger too (Mark 4:16-17).
  • Not that tribulation will cause one to fail, for tribulation by itself cannot remove anyone from the Lord (Romans 8:35-39).
  • It is certain to come (Acts 14:22).
  • The faithful have to have the right focus (II Corinthians 4:8-5:1).
  • Tribulation worketh endurance (II Thessalonians 1:1-4 and James 1:2-4).
  • Getting stronger through what you endure (II Corinthians 12:1-10).
  • Endurance works experience [proof; cf. II Corinthians 2:9 and Philippians 2:22; Strong’s # 1382].
  • The faithful are proven (James 5:10).
  • Once proven faithful, that builds hope (II Corinthians 1:6-7). Think about that (I Peter 1:1-9).

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

  • Hope maketh not ashamed (Philippians 1:12-21).
  • In the first century, those converted received the Holy Ghost through the laying on of the Apostle’s hands (Acts 8:5-24 and Acts 19:1-7). Among many things the Spirit did, the Spirit bore witness with the spirit within man (Romans 8:14-16 and I John 4:12-13). Such was a seal (Ephesians 1:13-14). Consider how this worked in giving confidence, faith (Galatians 3:1-5).

Romans 5:6 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

  • Without strength, as in weak (cf. Mark 14:38).
  • Paul and the people addressed in this letter were alive during the time Jesus died. The point is established here that Jesus provided what they could not do for themselves (II Timothy 1:8-10).
  • In due time (Galatians 4:1-5).
  • Died for the ungodly (Matthew 9:9-13, Colossians 2:12-13, and Titus 3:3-5).
  • Therefore, if one is a Christian and has been washed by the blood of Christ (Revelation 1:5); you must recognize you were ungodly at some point! That should humble anyone (cf. Ephesians 2:1-17).

Romans 5:7-8 “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

  • Within the context of Jesus dying for the ungodly, this point shows the difference of what Jesus did rather than what man would typically do (i.e. Matthew 26:47-56).
  • God commended His love towards them [and all] through Jesus coming and dying for sinners (John 3:16 and I John 4:9-10).
  • Remember, Jesus in doing the will of our Father chose to give His life so salvation could be there for the lost (Matthew 20:20-28, John 10:1-18, Ephesians 5:25, Philippians 2:3-8, I Timothy 2:1-6, Titus 2:11-14, I Peter 3:18, and Revelation 1:5).

Romans 5:9 “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

  • God’s love was displayed in the giving of His only begotten Son, “while we were yet sinners.” Much more then NOW (I John 3:1; cf. Romans 8:31-39 and Hebrews 12:7).
  • Now, being justified by the blood of Christ (Romans 3:24 and I Peter 1:18-19).
  • Consider this too, Christ had become of no effect to those who sought to be justified by the Law of Moses (Galatians 5:4).
  • Saved from wrath through Christ (I Thessalonians 1:10 and I Thessalonians 5:9-10).

Romans 5:10 “For 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.”

  • Prior to being converted, while sinners, that person is an enemy of God (Matthew 12:30, Acts 13:6-12, Ephesians 2:1-3, Philippians 3:18-19, James 4:4, and I John 3:8-10).
  • Reconciliation by the death of Christ (II Corinthians 5:18-19 and Colossians 1:12-22).
  • Saved by His life [that He is risen and forever alive; II Corinthians 13:4 and Revelation 1:18] (Romans 14:9, Hebrews 7:25, and I Peter 3:18). Understanding the significance of the resurrection (I Corinthians 15:1-28).

Romans 5:11 “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”

  • Not just what we have covered already in this context (Romans 5:1-10), but there is more the Holy Spirit had Paul add into consideration.
  • Joy in God (Habakkuk 3:18 and Philippians 4:4), or as earlier in this context “rejoice” and “we glory” (Romans 5:2-3; Strong’s # 2744).
  • Through Christ because saints have our relationship with the Father through Jesus (John 14:6 and Romans 6:11).
  • The Greek word “καταλλαγή” translated “atonement” is translated every other time it appears as “reconciling” (Romans 11:15) or “reconciliation” (II Corinthians 5:18-19).
  • Having said that, atonement [as it can also mean propitiation] is also certainly through Christ (I John 2:1-2 and I John 4:9-10).

Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, 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:”

  • This sentence goes through verse eighteen. Verses thirteen through seventeen are a side thought. Read the whole sentence through verse 18. The just read verses twelve and eighteen.
  • Sin entered into the world by Adam (Genesis 3:6) and death by sin (Genesis 3:19).
  • Since by man came death, by man came the resurrection (I Corinthians 15:21-22).
  • Sin also brings about spiritual death (Luke 15:11-32 and Ephesians 2:1-5).
  • Simply put, the soul that sinneth shall die (Ezekiel 18:4).
  • In the context of Romans, the “all” are Jews and Gentiles (Romans 3:9).
  • Like we discussed with Romans 3:23, this does not literally mean all people who ever lived in the past had sinned. If all means everyone, who has ever lived, what would that mean of our sinless Savior who never sinned (Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 9:27-28, I Peter 2:21-23, and I John 3:5)? What about Enoch (Genesis 5:21-24 and Hebrews 11:5)? What about Zacharias and Elisabeth (Luke 1:5-6)? What about little children (Matthew 18:3 and Mark 10:13-16) that cannot discern right from wrong (Isaiah 7:16; cf. I Corinthians 13:11, I Corinthians 14:20, and James 4:17)? For one to be a sinner they must at least be capable of knowing [discerning] good from evil (Deuteronomy 1:21-39).

Romans 5:13-17 “(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless 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. But 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. And 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. For 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.)”

  • There has to be a law for there to be transgression (Romans 4:15), because sin is transgression of the law (I John 3:4).
  • Sin is not counted where there is no law, so the necessary conclusion is that there always has been some law. We should know this clearly from Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:15-17 and Genesis 3:1-24), Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16), the flood (Genesis 6-8), Sodom and Gomorra, (Genesis 18-19), etc.
  • The context we are studying is referring to the Law of Moses vs. faith. Remember, those outside of the Law of Moses still were accountable for that which they knew concerning right from wrong (Romans 2:12-16; cf. I Peter 3:18-4:6). Naturally knowing what the Law of Moses said. I.E. Genesis 39:7-20 [vs.9]; cf. Leviticus 20:10
  • So, the point is that death reigned from Adan to Moses. So, what is the wage of sin (Romans 6:23). This means there was law before Moses.
  • Because of Adam, death happens to all (I Corinthians 15:22). NOTE: There were exceptions (Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5, and II Kings 2:1-11).
  • With types and antitypes. Adam represents life and death. Jesus does too, in a different fashion (Romans 5:18-19).
  • We did nothing to earn death coming into the world. That was Adam. Nor did we do anything to earn Jesus coming into the world. That was of God (I John 4:10).
  • Since Adam, death has reigned. By Jesus, we have the opposite which will not be realized till the end (I Corinthians 15:20-26 and II Timothy 1:9-10).

Romans 5:18 “Therefore 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.”

  • The consequence of sin has come upon man because of Adam (Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:19, and Romans 5:12).
  • The judgment by one to condemnation [an adverse sentence; Strong’s # 2631] (Romans 5:16).
  • By the righteousness of one (I John 2:1-2), came justification (Romans 4:24-25).
  • Thus, condemnation does not come upon those spiritually minded in Christ (Romans 8:1).
  • So, neither physical death or justification through Christ are of anyone’s works beside Adam and Jesus. In other words: “I did not bring death or life into this world.” See: I Corinthians 15:22

Romans 5:19 “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

  • To restate, in clear terms, what we have already talked about the Spirit had Paul write this verse.
  • Adam listened to his wife (Genesis 3:17 and I Timothy 2:13-15) in disobedience to God (Genesis 3:11).
  • On the other hand, Jesus was the one who brought the ability to be righteous because He obeyed the Father (Hebrews 5:8-9; cf. John 5:30 and John 6:38).
  • He was the sin offering whereby we might be made righteous (II Corinthians 5:21).

Romans 5:20-21 “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

  • The Law entered that offense might abound (Romans 4:15 and Galatians 3:19).
  • Then consider how that such allowed grace to much more abound (Romans 6:14 and Ephesians 1:7). Cf. Romans 5:15
  • We will see how this is not to be taken too far in the next chapter (Romans 6:1-2).
  • Going forward, we will talk of sin unto death and obedience unto righteousness (Romans 6:16).
  • We have the contrast of the Law of Moses and the grace of Jesus here (John 1:16-17).
  • The Law held those under it in sin (Hebrews 10:1-4).
  • Jesus represents overcoming the penalty of sin allowing grace to reign through righteousness unto eternal life (Titus 3:1-7 and I John 5:11-13).