Chapter 5:3-11

COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

By Dr. John R. Stone

Romans 5:3-11

Overview:

The truth that believers are made righteous and acceptable to God by simple faith in the work of Christ on their behalf is good news. It is the gospel. Paul has shown that all men are sinful and cannot save themselves. He has demonstrated that even the Old Testament taught that Abraham was justified (pardoned and cleared of guilt) by faith. The gospel is consistent with all that God has said and done from ages past. In this passage Paul identifies three benefits of justification by faith. As believers we can rejoice in the hope of glory. We can rejoice even in our tribulations, as strange as that might sound, and we can rejoice in God without fear of His condemnation even though we can never measure up to His standard of perfection.

Rejoicing In Tribulation

Vss. 3-5:  When Paul says we can exult in, that is to say rejoice in, our tribulations, he is not referring to an escape from trials, rather to the basis for dealing with them. Why would anybody, how could anybody take joy in the fact that trials, difficulties, heartachess, and disappointments have come crashing down around him. The one who has no hope, no confident assurance of glory will falter when affliction comes to crowd out his joy; confidence in a glorious future gives strength for the present.

Proof Through God’s Purpose

Paul goes on in this passage to explain how it is possible for us to rejoice even in affliction because we are justified by faith. He identifies a four-step process by which God uses tribulation to produce a good result in His children. Tribulation is pressure, and the pressure of our circumstances is like the potter’s hands pressing in upon the soft clay to give it the shape He desires. God uses tribulation to mold His children into His image. Tribulation produces perseverance. The word “perseverance” literally means “to remain under.” If we remain under the pressure that God brings into our lives, He will mold and shape us. If we resist the Potter’s hands and hop off the Potter’s wheel before the work is done, we have not persevered, and the shaping is not complete. In those who do persevere, who do remain under His pressure, He produces proven character, which means that we have been tested and proven. When we pass the character test, like Abraham did with his son Isaac, God gives us the hope that does not disappoint. We have confidence that all God’s promises to us will be fulfilled because He has given us His Holy Spirit.

Proof through God’s Love

Vss. 6-8:  The proof that God will do all He promised is demonstrated (shown) in the fact that Christ died for us. It is understandable that a man might give his life to save a dear friend or someone who is well-loved in the community, but Jesus died for His enemies. He died for those who were criminals and the rejects of the community. Since Jesus did that, then we know that he will finish all He has started on our behalf.

Proof through Logical Contrast

Vss. 9-10:  In verses 9-10 Paul explains that if God reconciled us to  Himself while we were His enemies, how much more will He be sure to save us now that we are His friends. He made us His friends while we were His enemies; now he will bring us to glory because we are his friends.

Rejoicing in God

Vs. 11:  Because we have been justified by faith, we exult in hope of the glory of God (v. 2), we exult in our tribulations, knowing that they produce godly character (v. 3), and we exult in God, even though we deserve to be consumed in judgment because of our sin. We do not need to fear before a holy God, but we can have joy in His presence. Because of the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins, we have received forgiveness, and we have been reconciled to God. There is no enmity between God and anyone who is trusting Jesus for salvation. This is the fruit of justification by grace through faith.

—to be continued

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