Verse by Verse

¹¹ And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Joy — the same Greek word is translated as “rejoice” in verse 2 and “glory” in verse 3.

The atonement is Christ’s sacrifice. We don’t receive that, but we do receive the results — reconciliation.

Back to the progression I mentioned a few posts ago:

vs. 6 — without strength — God gives us help and power

vs. 8 —  yet sinners — God gives us forgiveness

vs. 10 — enemies — God gives us reconciliation

⁹ Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

¹⁰ For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Much more — even greater certainty.

Wrath — future judgment — Evidence for a pre-tribulation rapture. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 — For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are continually saved by Christ’s intercessory life

For if = since

Enemies — hostile and under condemnation, exposed to God’s wrath.

We are reconciled to God by Jesus Christ because of His love. His death brought justification. His life brings preservation and future deliverance.

⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.

⁸ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Righteous (as used here) = right in general conduct

Good = acts beneficially towards others

The righteous are motivated by justice, the good are motivated by love. So, the verse is saying that hardly anyone would die for a just man, but you might find a few who would die for a loving man.

demonstrates = exhibited

⁶ For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

without strength = still sinners (see verse 8).

In due time — according to God’s plan, not circumstances.

For = on behalf of (not “instead of”)

Ungodly = all, indicated by the lack of “the” in Greek — Christ died for all, being ungodly.

Notice the progression in these verses:

vs. 6 — without strength — our helplessness

vs. 8 — yet sinners — our sinfulness

vs. 10 — enemies — our willfulness

⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Our hope allows us to go forth boldly, knowing we won’t be disappointed. Romans 10:11 — For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

God’s love is poured out to us by His gift of the Holy Spirit.

³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Glory (in this verse) = rejoice

perseverance — not passive, the ability to remain strong while bearing the burden of tribulation.

We rejoice in the ability to endure. For unbelievers, happiness here is all they have, so tribulations rob them of everything.

Experience (character) = consciousness of having endured tribulation effectually which is proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit. This proof encourages us in hope.

 ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

God the Father is inaccessible except through the Son.

In hope = on the basis of hope — Knowing that one day we will be glorified is the ground of our joy.

Access = bringing in, an introduction — ongoing

Stand — expressive of the permanency of our position

Under the law, “people stood afar off.” In the tabernacle, the veil separated men from God’s holiness. We have access.

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

The theme of chapter 5 is “through Christ.”

Therefore — The subject is linked back to chapter 4.

Benefit of justification — peace with God (not “peace of God”). It’s a state, not a feeling. Sinners are at war with God, the justified are at peace.

Jesus Christ is our mediator and our peace.

²⁴ but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,

²⁵ who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

As Abraham believed God could bring life to his body, so we believe God brought life to Christ.

Christ’s death paid for our sins. His resurrection proved it was paid. He did it all.

Our merited condemnation caused His death, our accomplished justification caused His resurrection.