An Exegesis Paper on Romans 5:1-7

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements of the Course

Pauline Thought

By
Lark Murry
Date: 10/10/2016
Outline

1. Introduction
2. Exegetical Analysis (5:1-7)
2. i. The Benefit of Justification by Faith (5:1)

2. ii. We are standing in Grace (5:2a)

2. iii. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God (5:2b)

2. iv. We triumph in the hope that is wrought out in tribulation (5:3-4)

2. v. And hope does not put us to ashamed (5:5a)

2. vi. The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (5:5b)

2. vii. While we were still weak (5:6a)

2. viii. At the right time, Christ died for Sinners (5:6b-7)

3. Critical Evaluation

4. Conclusion
 1. Introduction

The origin of the Church in Rome is uncertain. Paul clearly said that he didn’t establish the
Church of Rome nor by the other Apostles. However, the Church in Rome became one of the
major center of Christians. In a meanwhile the letter of Romans became one of the great letter in
Paul’s Epistles, where Paul tremendously appeal to one’s desire to witness to the faith. Paul was
yearning to visit Rome “I long to see you that I may impart some spiritual gift to strengthen you,
_____ that we may be equally encouraged by each other’s faith” (Ch. 1:11-2). Paul wrote this
letter before his journey to Rome to tell them about the zeal he had to see them, and to
communicate some doctrine on “justification” where he stated that peace that is in God
(salvation) is only “justification by grace through faith”.

Here in chapter 5, Paul has proved that the whole world is guilty before God, and that no one can
be saved by religious deeds, such as keeping the Law. He has explained that God's way of
salvation has always been "by grace, through faith" (Eph 2:8-2), and he has used Abraham as his
illustration. Therefore in briefly this paper will be doing deeper study with emphasizing in the
selected portion i.e. chapter 5:1-7, and bring more crystal notions with evaluation.

2. Exegetical Analysis (5:1-7)

―Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ‖.

2. i. The Benefit of Justification by Faith (5:1)

The phrase being justified (δικαιυθενηερ) is strongly summarizes in chapter four that it is not by
works (1-8). It is by faith that we have peace with God.1 The participle donates the continuous
progress that God’s justifying grace is making from individual to individual. Thus the word
donates that as grace is multiplied to save one and all. Justification by faith produces peace, that
it gives assurance in future life, salvation.2 Here the phrase “peace” (ειπηνην) is more than
quietness of coincidence, it is more than cessation of hostility. Peace must understood as a

1
Dr. Mark Taylor, Assurance by Justification: An Exegesis of Romans, (Southwestern Baptist Theological
Seminary, 2012), 5.
2
J. P. McBeth, Exegetical and Practical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, (United State America:
Fleming H. Revell Co, 1222)1, 46-7.
positive blessedness. Peace is the fruit of justification, and every justified person has this peace
immediately for it is towards God.3

"Peace with God" comes through, and only through, our Lord Jesus Christ. Since peace with
God, or reconciliation is one way of viewing the new relationship into which we have been put
by God's justifying act in Christ, it can no more be achieved apart from Christ than can
justification itself.4 It is the peacefulness of conscious which originates from the awareness of
have God’s reconciled to oneself. This peace is possessed neither to a person who are inflated by
the false confidence in their works, nor by the senseless of sinner. Peace with God is opposed to
the drunken security of the flesh, because the rousing of oneself to give an account of one’s way
of life is first important. Apostle Paul strongly conclude is based on the principle that shameful
soul are always uneasy unless they rest in the grace of Jesus Christ.5

“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we
rejoice in hope of the glory of God‖.

2. ii. We are standing in Grace (5:2a)

Our reconciliation with God is dependent upon Christ. Therefore Paul had rightly set before our
eyes the sure pledge in Christ of the grace of God, in order to draw us more effectively or to
stand (εζηηκαμεν) from the confidence in our works. Paul teaches us that salvation start with
Christ alone and thus excludes the preparations by which foolish men imagine that they can
anticipate the mercy of God.6 Literally through Christ we have obtained our introduction into this
grace in which we have taken our stand. Grace is normally God’s free favour and unconditional
love.7

In fact, the access of standing comes after making peace in grouping reconciliation with
justification.8 Justified believers enjoy a blessing for greatest than a broken approach to God.

3
James D.G. Dunn, “Romans” World Biblical Commentary. vol 38, (Nashville Dallas, Mexico City:
Thomas Nelson, 1288), 247.
4
Douglas Moo, The Epistle to the Romans; The New International Commentary on the New Testament,
(Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1226), 128-2.
5
Ross Mackenzie, Calvin’s Commentaries; The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Romans and to the
Thessalonians, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1260), 104.
6
Ibid, 105.
7
John Stott, Romans; God’s Good New for the World, (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1224),
132.
8
Dr. Mark Taylor, Assurance by Justification, 8.
Every individual relationship with God which justification has brought us is not sporadic but
continuous, it remain still “for nothing can separate us from God’s love” (8:38).9 By this Paul
mean that our perseverance is not founded on our own power but on Christ.10

2. iii. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God (5:2b)

Here, Paul mean to say that we have the victoriously save and we give a shout of triumph in our
hope (e)lpi/di) of glory of God (δοξηρ ηος θεος). And since Christ had brought us to God through
justifying by faith and now therefore we have the peace and became new creation (1 Cor.5:17).11
Peace with God takes care of the past: He will no longer hold our sins against us. Access to God
takes care of the present: we can come to Him at any time for the help we need. Hope of the
glory of God takes care of the future: one day we shall share in His glory! The word rejoice can
be translated boast in Christ (5:2-3, 11). When we were sinners, there was nothing to boast about
(Rom. 3:27), because we fell short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). But in Christ, we boast in
His righteousness and glory! Bosting in a new creation by living in Christ. And for this reason
Apostle Paul amplify this in Romans 8:18–30.12

―Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and
endurance produces character, and character produces hope‖

2. iv. We triumph in the hope that is wrought out in tribulation (5:3-4)

Apostle Paul had shown vivid picture that justification by faith will stand the test of the future.
He talked on victory over the present, even though in times of great tribulation may be. We
rejoice in our tribulation and for that we give a shout of triumph even in tribulations (θλιτιρ).13
The word tribulation are the external hardships that give hindrance in this life.14 It is the result of
mankind provoking against God and event curse Him. But then He restores us to life those whom
he had almost submerged in the darkness of death.15 How will they know who the children of

9
John Stott, 140.
10
Ross Mackenzie, Calvin’s Commentaries
11
J. P. McBeth, Exegetical and Practical, 142.
12
Warren W. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary of New Testament, (England: David C. Cook
Publishing, 2007), 420.
13
J. P. McBeth, Exegetical and Practical, 142-50.
14
Rev. W. B. Godbey The Ages Digital Library Commentaries on New Testament, vol 5. Acts – Romans,
(United State America: Ages Software, 1227), 236.
15
Ross Mackenzie, Calvin’s Commentaries, 106.
God are (8:16)? One way is how they suffer (8:17-20). Paul says that the believer can exult in
sufferings because of the knowledge they have. The word knowing or εἰδόηερ indicates a
constant knowledge of what suffering leads to in the end. It leads to hope. It leads the believer to
a closer identification with what Christ went through.16

Here in verses 3-5 Apostle Paul strongly said that Suffering leads to perseverance, which leads to
an approved character of endurance (ςπομονην), which leads to this hope. This sort of
progression linguistically adds to Paul’s building argument. It is not building in the sense of
climax but of completeness. The believer is being refined both in blessing and suffering,
experiencing the fullness of Christ in all things. The believer knows hope (8:24) while waiting
patiently (8:25) through tribulations (8:30).17 So Apostle Paul encourages that tribulation
produce patience, steadfastness, and endurance as a wind makes the tree rooted deeper or more
firmly.18 The endurance and steadfast gives worth and produces character that has stood the test.
It donate strength that has proven itself. Tribulation doesn’t defeat the believer, but strengthens
hope.19

“and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us‖.

2. v. And hope does not put us to ashamed (5:5a)

This statement is regards to our salvation as most certain. This clearly shows that affliction is
used by the Lord to try us so that our salvation may be gradually advanced. Those troubles
consequently are the supports of our happiness.20 Paul encouraged the believers by saying that a
hope that we have is not something which put down to shame (καηαιζσςνει), but our hope is very
different kind. A hope that is founded on the goodness and truth of God.21 Our hope will never
embarrass us. In other words here Apostle Paul is talking regarding to our salvation. The

16
Dr. Mark Taylor, 11.
17
Ibid.
18
Rev. W. B. Godbey.
19
J. P. McBeth, 150.
20
Ross Mackenzie, Calvin’s Commentaries, 107.
21
Adam Clarke, “Romans” Clarke’s Commentary, (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005), N.P.
assurance of salvation will never shame us. Assurance is real that we have hope in God the
Father.22

2. vi. The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (5:5b)

Here Paul further encourages believers to have hope in God.23 Hope rests in the love of God, His
love is poured upon us in abundance and while we were sinners His love was exhibited to us in
the death of Christ. God does not send His love as a dew drops, but like a flood His love pour in
to every thirty believers.24 Therefore we love God because He love us first. God’s love entered to
center of man’s corruption to purify, to redeem and to give assurance of eternal life. And the
Holy Spirit is the agent that followed the sinner and made known the love God and the sacrifice
for sinful man.25

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will
scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to
die”
2. vii. While we were still weak (5:6a)
Apostle Paul has pointed out the glorious state of the Gentiles believers who were taken occasion
to contrast with this notion and the means by which they were redeemed from it.26 Therefore
Paul dealt by saying that Christ died from us not while we were clothed in the righteousness of
God, but while we were object of divine wrath.27 When we were unable to follow and keep the
law of God and obey Him. Because before Christ we were without strength (αζθενυν), so weak,
dying age neither able to resist sin nor do any good.28 God sent His son to die on our behalf so
that we may reconcile, have fellowship to Him again. And the gift of Christ to die on our behalf
is everywhere in scripture represented as the highest possible to proof of the love of God to
sinners.29

22
J. P. McBeth, 152.
23
David W. Torrance Calvin’s Commentaries The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Romans and to the
Thessalonian, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1272), 107.
24
J. P. McBeth
25
Ibid, 151.
26
Adam Clarke
27
J. P. McBeth, 151.
28
Adam Clarke
29
Charles Hoodge, Commentary on the Romans (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Co., 1886), 136.
 2. viii. At the right time, Christ died for Sinners (5:6b-7)

Christ came at the due time appointed by the Father “οηε δε ηλθε ηο πληπυμα ηος σπονος
εξαπεζηειλεν ο θεορ ηον ςιον αςηος γενομενον εκ γςναικορ γενομενον ςπο νομον” (Gal 4:4) and
He died for sinners. Out of His love God sent His begotten Son to die and save the ungodly.30
The Son of God came to accomplished Father’s desire, and Christ had mercy on the ungodly and
reconciled His enemy to the Father and accomplished this virtue of His death. Now He will
much more easily save them when we are justified and keep in His grace those who had restored
to grace.31 The ungodly were helpless and powerless to come out from bondage of sins and could
do nothing without someone help (Christ). So then in right time Christ came to set us free. And
by the death of Christ, God shown His love to us. We were loved by God but we don’t
understand and therefore God has shown His love in action through the death of Christ.32

For scarcely for righteous man one die (V.7.), it is a very rare happening indeed among men that
any one should die for a man who are righteous, although this may infrequently took place.
However even if we admit that this can be happened, there is very less changes that will be found
willing to die for the sinners as Christ did. What Christ has done for sinners doesn’t exist among
mankind such an example of kindness as Christ has shown to us.33 Because while we were
sinners Jesus came to give his life “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance” (Mt 2:13), “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim 1:15).

It is not we deserve God’s help and salvation but wrath and punishment because for we
excellence nothing. See what sin has done to this lovely world which God designed perfectly.
The world upon which God pronounced His blessing in the day of creation (Gen 1:31).34

3. Critical Evaluation

What could be the main Paul’s notion in chapter 5? What Paul has described here in Romans
5:1-7 begins in the past and continues to the future. The work of justification, reconciliation, and
salvation is one that is accomplished by the complete Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Paul

30
Ibid.
31
Ross Mackenzie, Calvin’s Commentaries, 108.
32
Robert Haldane, Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans, (London: N.Pub, 1263), 122.
33
Ross Mackenzie, Calvin’s Commentaries, 102.
34
John Phillips, The John Phillips Commentary Series; An Exploring Romans, (Chicago: Moody Press,
2002), 21.
explained the peace and future hope that we have in Father is seal it in Christ through our faith in
Him, so no one can take away. Since we have been justified by faith the peace and hope is truth
and real and that hope will not put us to shame, for God has given to every individual believers.

Furthermore Paul mean to say is that to hold tight, rejoice, and keep the hope of assurance even
in time of tribulation. Because in time of hard time we produce patience, endurance, and hope
which God has been poured out into our heart through Holy Spirit (5:3-5). For some extend we
may face sufferings or transgression, but Paul inspired them that since we have been justified by
through faith in Jesus, God has given and pour out His peace upon us. The tribulation which we
face that strengthen and helps us to endure stouter in hope in God’s peace. Moreover the reason
is because Christ died for sinners.

While we were powerless and could do nothing or in other sense while we were under the
bondage of sin Christ came at the appointed time by the Father to save and set us free from sin
and give us peace of hope in God the Father (5:6). And it builds on itself with phrases like not
only that and more than this. It is seemingly more than anyone ever expected and many times the
very thing we underestimate as that which can save us and sustain us. The assurance of our peace
of hope in God through Christ that endures within us.

4. Conclusion

From the above deep study we have seen that the main idea in Romans chapter 5:1-6 is
“assurance of peace of the future glory in God”. It seems conclusive, based on structural and
semantic evidence as well as the testimony of Scripture that Paul is describing to a mixed
audience (Jews and Gentiles) what they hope of glory is and how they can be sure of it. It is
more than mere avoidance of God’s wrath but rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God through
Jesus Christ. Not only that but it is rejoicing in suffering because it identifies us more with Christ
our Savior.
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