Chapter four shows that even our ‘spiritual father’ Abraham did not work. His faith and belief enabled him to be considered righteous.
In chapter five Paul continues the theme ‘Justified by Faith’. He expands this and begins to show that death came through sin and life comes through faith. He compares and contrasts Adam and Jesus Christ. Sin and death through Adam; faith and life through our Lord Jesus Christ.
***OUTLINE
5:1-5 - Justified by Faith
5:6-9 - Christ Died for Ungodly
5:10-11 - Reconciliation
5:12-14 - One => Death
5:15-19 - Transgression vs. Gift
5:20-21 - Grace Reigns
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
V. 1 - “Therefore” - Which refers us back to chapter four: Christ was sacrificed because of our sin; Christ was resurrected as proof the sacrifice was sufficient - Justification! Based on the conclusion in 4:24-25, we are justified by faith.
“having been justified by faith” - We are justified, that is declared righteous. We did not work for it. From many years ago, there was a mnemonic for “justified” - “Just-as-if-I-had-never-sinned.” This word has a legal sense in that God declares the believer to be righteous and acceptable because Christ took our sins upon Himself on the cross. We are now declared righteous. (See: 1 Cor. 1:30; Rom. 3:24, 25.) The ‘mechanism’ we exercise to access justification is faith.
That answers the question, “What must I do to be saved?” (See: Acts 16:29, 30) Note: Justification and salvation go hand-in-hand. You cannot be saved without being justified. Conversely, if you are justified you are saved.
This is not a purely New Testament (or New Covenant) concept, In the O.T., God is shown as pleading the case of the sinner and executing the justice for the sinner. The accusers are put to shame, for the sinner has seen the light and lives! (See: Mic. 7:9-10) The judgement against the sinner has been executed. The sentence does not fall on the sinner, but on God Himself.
“we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” - We often think of sinning against God as a “legal” issue - we are guilty of sin. He executes justice for us. We are now free from the penalty of death. That is totally valid. “Peace” implies some type of conflict.
The concept of spiritual warfare is throughout the NT - both in Jesus’ teachings and that of the apostles. Look at: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12) Also: “and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds...” (Col. 1:20, 21)
In our natural sinful state we are at war with God. He is Holy, we are not. Satan is the leader and commander of the “forces of darkness”. He is the center and the plotter of evil against the Lord. To be an ally of Satan is to be an enemy of God. The world is Satan’s domain. We cannot love the world and love the Father at the same time. (See: 1 John 2:15-16)
Jesus Himself said He is giving us peace. (See: John 14:27) Paul also emphasizes peace in Phil. 4:7, 9 - “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus... The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
V. 2 - “through whom also” - Wait! There’s More! In Jesus Christ we have peace (v. 5:1) - ALSO, we are the recipients of grace. Every one of Paul’s letters start with a blessing of ‘grace and ‘peace’ (Example: Rom. 1:7, and others.)
“we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand” - We are ushered into God’s grace by faith. Again the emphasis on is on the gift of grace - by His will, and His decision, driven by His love and justice - we are offered salvation in Jesus Christ. There is no other way. Jesus said it, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6). The apostles emphasized it, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.“ (Acts 4:12) Paul says it again here. Paul is not standing on the Law, nor his obedience to the Law. He is standing firmly in grace - God’s gift to us.
“we exult in hope of the glory of God.” - Our joy, our celebration is centered in what God has done. You may know that I am a die-hard Oregon State Beaver fan. OSU had 28 years of losing seasons in the 1970’s and beyond. I was at the game against the University of California when the long losing streak was broken. If the Beavers won that game, they would have a winning season record - for the first time in decades! Near the end of the fourth quarter, the Beavers clinched the game. I stood there with tears in my eyes - finally, finally the Beavers were not losers! There wasn’t a lot of jumping around, just a lot of joy the long wait was over.
Our joy in Jesus our Lord, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit is so much more! By His glory we are saved! We will bask in His glory! We will see His glory and rejoice! Our hope is in the realization the resurrection of Jesus Christ guarantees we will be in His glory. This better than anything we experience - marriage, birth of a child, seeing our children grow - all of that pales in the fact of God’s glory and grace.
V. 3-4 - “And not only this” - Now, if you think that is cool, there is even more for us. Even so, it seems hard to see how tribulation could possibly be a good. How we deal with stressful situations is a common theme, especially in the NT. The subjects here: Tribulation, perseverance, proven character, and hope are linked from Genesis to Revelation.
This verse is echoed in James 1:2-4, and 1 Pet. 1:6. Jesus warned us there will be tribulation, but not to worry, He has overcome the world (John 16:33). We will face persecution because we follow Jesus, because He is not of this world. (See: John7:7, 15:20; Luke 21:12) We are to persevere through all these things (1 Tim. 4:16).
See also: Rom. 8:25, 15:4; Eph. 6:18; 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 3:10; 2 Pet. 1:6; Rev. 13:10, 14:12.
V. 5 - “hope does not disappoint” - From a hymn, “Our hope is in nothing less than Jesus Christ and His righteousness.” Hope is one of those interesting words, so simple yet so fraught with meanings we bring to it. See comments made on Rom. 4:18. We often think of hope in terms of expressing a wish or desire. The biblical view of hope is “desire with expectancy”. We can desire to be with Jesus in eternity; we can expect it will happen because of His resurrection from the dead and ascension to the Father. If your faith is not in Jesus; if you have not accepted Him as Lord and Savior, your ‘hope’ is a wish.
“Because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts” - We do not need to just grit our teeth and bear up under trial or tribulation. Our desires are confirmed as viable - God’s love in us is the evidence. Jesus confirmed this with His teachings: "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." ... If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” (John 14:21-23) Jesus’ commandment? Believe in Him and the Father who sent Him.
“through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” - We are not alone. We have the Holy Spirit, who Jesus promised. He is to help us and teach us. The Holy Spirit empowers us. (See: Rom. 15:13; 1 Thess. 1:5; Acts 10:44-45; 1 Cor. 12:3; Titus 3:5; Heb. 2:4; 1 Pet. 1:12; 2 Pet. 1:21; Jude 1:20)
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