Romans 5 / Hope

Romans is such an excellent description of the Atonement and role of the Savior. I love the phrase in Romans 1 that they 'worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator'. Thats one to use in a talk.

Romans 5 has especially stuck out with its writings on hope. I'll take it verse by verse.

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

(Remember 'justified' means forgiven as already written and with forgiveness comes 'peace with God')

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

(After forgiveness is access into His Kingdom and that idea/ possibility gives us hope which as described last time is action and endurance)

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

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

(This is such an important connnection between experience and hope. When we endure tribulation and learn it is for our good and happiness, that builds our hope."

5 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.

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

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

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

(A great proof of the love of God embodied in the Atonement - how many would die for a righteous man (singular) and Christ died for sinners)

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
(Here is another theme I have already covered - the BLOOD saves us from the wrath of justice)

10 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.

(The difference between immortality and Eternal life.)

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

12 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:

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

14 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.

(Adam was a type for Christ although with the opposite result. See above how one man brought sin and therefore death into the world (Adam). But Adam did it willingly with full understanding of the consequences because Eve ate first and explained it to him. Taking of the fruit voluntarily sacrificed his allegiance to God for the good of Man. It can be said that Adam took Man's sins on himself by eating of the fruit. He certainly paid a price by being cast out from Father's presence that we so dearly loved and enjoyed. And he did it without knowledge of the saving Atonement which was announced after his fall. His sacrifice was completed by one person and so was the Savior's. Paul does a great job pointing out the similarities.)

15 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 unto many.

16 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.

17 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, Jesus Christ.

18 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.

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

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

(Such an important idea!)

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