RomansStudy Guide

Chapter 5

Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.

Just read this chapter →

Scripture

KJV

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

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

3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

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

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

7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

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

10For 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.

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

12Wherefore, 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:

13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14Nevertheless 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.

15But 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.

16And 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.

17For 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.)

18Therefore 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.

19For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Key VerseRomans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Overview

Having established justification by faith, Paul now describes its fruits: peace with God, access into grace, and hope that does not disappoint because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. He demonstrates the surpassing nature of God's love in that Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. The chapter concludes with the great comparison between Adam and Christ: as by one man sin entered the world and death passed upon all, even so by one man's obedience many are made righteous, and where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.

Key Themes

1

Peace and Access Through Justification

Being justified by faith, believers have peace with God and stand in a position of grace, able to rejoice even in tribulations because suffering produces proven character and hope.

2

God's Love Demonstrated at the Cross

God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners — ungodly, without strength, and enemies — Christ died for us.

3

Adam and Christ: Two Heads of Humanity

Adam's one act of disobedience brought sin and death to all mankind, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings justification and life to all who believe.

Study Questions

1.

What does it mean to have 'peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ' (v. 1), and how is this different from feeling peaceful?

2.

How does Paul's teaching that 'tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope' (vv. 3-4) change the way you view suffering?

3.

What is remarkable about the timing of Christ's death — 'while we were yet sinners' (v. 8) — and how does this reveal the nature of God's love?

4.

How does the Adam-Christ comparison (vv. 12-21) help you understand both the problem of sin and the sufficiency of grace?

5.

What does it mean that 'where sin abounded, grace did much more abound' (v. 20), and how do we guard against using this as a license to sin?

Connection to Christ

Christ is presented as the second Adam, the head of a new humanity. Where Adam brought condemnation and death through one transgression, Christ brings justification and life through one righteous act. The love of God is supremely demonstrated at the cross, where Christ died for His enemies, reconciling us to God.

Personal Reflection

Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Romans 5. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?

Romans

5 of 16