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| Chapter 5 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 and patience, experience; and experience, hope; 5 and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given unto us. 6 ¶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely will one die for a righteous man, yet perhaps for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 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. 11 And not only that, but we shall also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 12 Therefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, so death passed onto all men, for all have sinned. 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 in the similitude of Adam’s transgression, he being the figure of Him that was to come. 15 But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense 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. 16 And not as it was by one who sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification. 17 For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore as by the offense of one, judgment to condemnation came upon all men, even so by the righteousness of One, the free gift unto justification of life came upon all men. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, 21 that, as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. |
5:1-11 The Result of Justification. Paul now looks at the blessings available from being made right with God (Justification). Because a Believer is made right with God then a Believer has hope because of Jesus, Eph 2:11-13; 1 Tim 1:1; Rom 5:3-4; Rom 15:13. God makes available all that is possible to someone when they are justified, but this does not mean they will know how to use all the resources available. A baby has the ability to become an adult but it takes time. 5:1-5 What we have at Present, the benefits . 1) Two themes are given in this chapter "WE HAVE"v1,v2, and "WE SHALL BE" v9,v10. v1 "Being justified," the original language indicates "Have been," the past. Justification is a single act, it does not grow with time. 2) "We have peace with God," Because of what Jesus has done for us. Note it says "have peace," present. Eph 2:12-14. For us to have peace WITH God, Christ took on the agony of death in our place, see Isaiah 53. See also John 14:27 & John 16:33 for other "Peace." 3) v2 "We have access by faith," Heb 10:19,20; Eph 3:12. 4) "Into His Grace." Even though we are guilty before God, He has done this for us even though we do not deserve it. Because of His Grace we are able to receive the gifts, not for anything we have done. We must humble ourselves when we think about these things. 2 Cor 9:8. 5) Standing in God’s presence. Heb 10:19,20; Compare Ps 1:5. A believer can now boldly stand in God’s presence. 6) v2 "Rejoice in Glory of God." We shall be like Him. 1 John 3:2; Rom 8:29; Colossians 3:1-4; God works in us so we can be glorified with His Son. Eph 2:10. 7) v3-v5 "Glory in Tribulation (testing)" Note it does not say ‘in spite of tribulation.’ Thank God for your tribulation. Rom 8:28-29; Suffering Rom 8:17,18; 2 Cor 4:17,18. God uses trials to make us better in hope and faith and to give glory to God, not be ashamed of Him v5. He then uses us to spread His love in the world. v5 5:6-11 Our Future security. The word used for "Love" is "agape," a love that does not expect a response from the one being loved. See v8. v6-8 Proof of this love is given here. v9,10 Because we have been justified we are saved from the wrath of God. John 3:36 note the "much more" v9. see also Rom 8:32; 5:12-21 Condemnation verses Justification. Paul now looks at the 1st Adam and the last "Adam." v12 Adam chose to disobey God and sin entered into the world, as a result death also came into the world. This has passed on to us all in the human race and the world. Good or bad, all will die physically. Only those who are believers and alive at the second coming of the Lord Jesus will not see physical death. 1 Thess 4:13-18. v13-21 Adam sinned by disobeying God. From Adam to Moses death existed for Man. The people of the world carried the ‘mark of sin,’ but they had no laws, no standard set. God had not set the standard so He will have to judge by how each person lived their life, their conscience. For example, compare Noah’s life and relationship with God with the world at the time. During this time there is no mention of a "sin offering" being made by anyone. When God gave the 10 commandments He then set the standard, so men knew when they had broken His standard and so sinned, Rom 2:12-15. But having set the standard God then provided a way of payment for wrong lives, atonement. God’s Word does not tell us much about how He will judge those who never heard the message, but Luke 12:47,48 and Rev 20:11,12 gives some indication how He will judge. However, no one can be saved by their works. From man’s point of view this action by God may seem unfair. Some may say "why should I be guilty because of Adam’s failure?" Well, examine your life and others you know, do you know anyone who has never done wrong in some way? It is part of our nature because we are born from Adam, physically and spiritually. There also seems another unfair situation, God decided that only one man has to pay the price for Adam and the worlds wrong - Jesus, is that fair? The words "reign" (rule as a king) or "reigned" often appear in these verses. "Death Reigned," v14, 17, why? Because Adam’s sin reigned, v21. Then "Grace reigns," v21, through the obedience of Jesus to His Father. This act now allows us to reign in life by Jesus, v17. v18,19 All men are affected by the one disobedience of Adam and the one righteous action by Jesus, a free gift. v20,21 The Law still has a use, it is still showing us our wrong actions in life, but this allowed God to show more grace, as a believer can ask for forgiveness for failing. |
Easy English Translation
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