In the previous chapters Paul began by discussion the sinfulness of humanity, and God’s response to it in sending His son to save us.  Chapter four emphasized that salvation is not through the law, but through faith.  It held up Abraham as the quintessential example of faith, as the obstacles to his faith were reviewed.

In today’s reading, Paul begins to examine the results of that salvation, both immediate and hoped for.

Romans 5:1-11 (ESV)

Peace with God Through Faith

5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

⁶ For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— ⁸ but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. ¹⁰ For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. ¹¹ More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Questions for Contemplations and Discussion

1.     The first result that Paul brings up in verse 1 is that we have “peace with God.”  Objectively, what does it mean that we have peace with God.  How does having peace with God affect your life personally?

2.     Having peace with God does not guarantee a life without struggle; in verse 3 Paul says that we will have sufferings and that we are to rejoice in them, because they will lead to good things in those who are justified, who have peace with God.  Do you find yourself rejoicing in sufferings?  Have you seen this cycle (Suffering -> endurance -> character -> hope) in your life?

3.     In verse 6 we are told that Christ died for the ungodly “at the right time.”  What time is this referring to, and what made it the right time?

4.     In verse 9 we are reminded again of the wrath of God.   Is this wrath the same wrath brought on by the law in Chapter 4, or is this referring to something different?

5.     Paul began this chapter by bringing up peace with God, and ends it talking about reconciliation in verses 10 and 11.  Paul differentiates reconciliation by Christ’s death with being “saved by his life.”  This is a classic argument from lesser to greater that we see in the new testament, but the lesser thing seems to be our reconciliation with God by Christ’s death!!  What is the greater thing that is referred to as being “saved by his life?”  Do you see any significance to the fact that this salvation is by Christ’s life rather than by His blood or death as the focus has been thus far?