Romans: Justified by Faith

This chapter is a discussion by Paul that centers around the subject of justification by faith through Christ and the exchange that occurred when He took our sin and punishment and then imputed upon us His righteousness.

I divided it into five paragraphs/subjects. The first two we will examine this month. The next two we will examine next month, and the last subject we will address the month after that. The five subjects are:

The Tie That Binds to Eternal Life: vs 1-21
Being Justified by Faith: vs 1-5
When We Were Without Strength: vs 6-11
The Story of Two Adams: 12-18
Where Grace Abounds: vs 19-21

The Tie That Binds to Eternal Life

What is the tie that binds to eternal life? The completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross on our behalf.

I have highlighted a few words and phrases (I do this same thing in my study Bible) to emphasis particular themes.

Red – faith related verses
Blue – grace, peace, and joy
Green – affects that come to pass as we believe

Romans 5:1-21 (bold added):

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience [(Strong’s G1382) proof, maturity], hope: And hope maketh not ashamed [(Strong’s G2617) feel dishonored, put to blush, confounded, shamed down as in silenced and shut up]; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For 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. And not only so, but we also joy [(Strong’s G2744) glory, rejoice, blessed] in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, 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: [Psalm 51:5] (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. [Psalm 58:3] Nevertheless 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. But 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 [(Strong’s G4052) to super-abound, exceed, increase, over and above, more than enough to spare, unstoppable increase] unto many. And 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. For 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 [Colossians 3:3], Jesus Christ.) Therefore 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. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by [(Strong’s G1223) dia: through, by, because, with, for] Jesus Christ our Lord.

The following are a series of points I have gleaned from this particular passage in Romans:

1. Justified by faith

2. Peace with God

John 3:36: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Isaiah 32:16-18: “Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;”

3. Access into His grace by faith

John 17:20-24:

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

4. Able to stand because of His grace

1 Peter 5:10-12: “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.”

5. Glory in (Greek “en” through, in, by (Strong’s G1722)) tribulation

Patience
Experience
Hope

6. Hope keeps us unashamed

7. God’s love is in our hearts

8. Holy Ghost is given to us

Hebrews 9:13-14: “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

9. Christ died for us (substituted Himself for us)

Colossians 1:9-17:

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

10. Justified by Christ’s blood

11. Saved from the wrath to come through Him

12. Reconciled to God while we were enemies of God

13. Reconciled by Christ

14. Saved by His life (sacrifice)

15. We now joy in God through Christ

16. Through Christ we receive atonement

17. Sin entered the world by Adam

18. Sin passed unto the entire human race

Psalm 51:1-6:

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

What King David was crying out to God for, Christ did for us!!!

19. The law reveals our sin to us

Psalm 58:1-5: “To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear; Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.”

20. Without the law, sin would not be revealed.

21. Death reigned from Adam to Moses even though the law was not yet given.

22. Sin reigned over all humans even though they did not sin by direct disobedience of God as Adam did, for as yet no law was given to the human race until Moses.

23. Adams is declared the figure of the one to come. Adam is the man who lost title to the earth – Jesus is the man who reclaims the title to the earth.

24. Adam’s act of offense brought upon all humans a curse without exception. But Jesus’ act of obedience brings a free gift if we accept it.

25. Adam’s offense brought death to all.

26. Jesus’ free gift brings life abundantly to many.

27. Adam sinned once and cursed all.

28. Jesus’ free gift is not like Adam’s sin, for His free gift covers many offenses.

29. Adam’s sin brought us all condemnation.

30. Jesus’ free gift brings us justification.

31. Again, as Adam’s sin forced death to reign (controls, rules, forces) over all humans.

32. Jesus’ free gift abundantly reigns (controls, rules, forces) and brings:

Grace
Righteousness
Life and victory

33. Conclusion: As Adam’s offense forced upon all humans judgement and condemnation, so by Christ’s righteousness came the free gift of justification that leads to eternal life.

John 10:10-11: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

John 10:26-30: “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.“

Colossians 3:1-4: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

Adam’s disobedience flowed down to all humans and, therefore, all became sinners.

By Christ’s obedience all may become righteous if they believe.

When Moses’ law was given, it verified and codified the transgressions and sins of humans, exposed those sins, and, thus, it helps control sin in the human race – yes, sin controls you, and you have not the power to break its control for it abounds in us.

But where such sinfulness abounds and prospers, God’s grace expands, overshadows, overwhelms, and increases beyond the power of such sin.

Justified by Faith

Paul says it best. Because of the work that Christ has completed, for He kept all the law when we could not, and because He imputed His righteousness on us and forgave our sins, we are, indeed, now justified by faith.

Romans 5:1-5: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Justified by faith
Peace with God
Access into His grace by faith
Able to stand because of His grace
Glory in tribulation
- Patience
- Experience
- Hope
Hope keeps us unashamed
God’s love is in our hearts
Holy Ghost is given to us

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

Justified by faith

Justified: Strong’s G1344: dikaiioo: “to render (that is show or regard as) just or innocent :- free, justify (-ier), be righteous.”

- Romans 3:28: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

- Galatians 2:16: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

- Galatians 3:11: “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”

- Galatians 3:24: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

Peace with God

Peace: (Strong’s G1515): eirene: “(to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication prosperity :- one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.”

- John 3:36: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

- John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

- Isaiah 32:16-18: “Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;”

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

Access to His grace by faith

- John 17:20-24:

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

- Ephesians 2:18: “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

- Ephesians 3:12: “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”

- Hebrews 3:16-19: “For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? And to whom swore he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter into because of unbelief.”

- Hebrews 10:19-25:

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having a high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Able to stand because of His grace

1 Peter 5:10-12: “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.”

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

Glory in (Greek “en” through, in, by (Strong’s G1722)) tribulation.

Tribulation: Strong’s G2347: thlipsis: “pressure (literally or figuratively):- afflicted (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.” A way made to press.

1 Peter 2:7-9: “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:”

Romans 8:34-39:

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For they sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 16:32-33: “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. Theses things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Overcome: Strong’s G3528: nikao: “to subdue (literally or figuratively) :- conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.”

Romans 8:37: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

More than conquers: Strong’s G5245: hupernikao: “to vanquish beyond, i.e. gain a decisive victory:- more than conquer.”

Verse 4 Notes: “And patience, experience; and experience, hope:”

- Patience
- Experience
- Hope

Patience: Strong’s G5281: hupomone: “cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy:- enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting)”, waiting patiently.

Experience: Strong’s G1382: dokime: “test (abstractly or concretely); by implication trustiness :- experience (-riment), proof, trial.” To learn and by doing so, to learn to trust.

Hope: Strong’s G1680: elpis: “(to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence :- faith, hope.”

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

Hope keeps us unashamed

God’s love is in our hearts

Holy Ghost is given to us

Hebrews 9:13-14: “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

Romans 15:13: “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Romans 8:22-25: “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

Hebrews 3:4-6: “For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”

Hebrews 6:17-20: “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

1 Thessalonians 5:8: “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; an for a helmet, the hope of salvation.”

Closing Thoughts for Believers

1. We stand before God justified by faith in Jesus Christ. And we, therefore, stand!

2. This justification before God leads us to have peace and rest in Him.

3. We now have 24/7/365 access to God, to His grace, to His peace, to His power.

4. We have God’s power over sin in our lives.

5. God’s love is shed abroad in our hearts. The Holy Ghost (the seal of promise) has been given to us.

6. We are able to endure tribulation because His hope has been given to us.

7. we are able to be super-conquers to Christ.

Maranatha!

Bro. Joe

References

Strong, J. Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1539)

Privacy Policy

Treasures New and Old