Romans Chapter 5 : Grace Which Much More Abounds

Romans 5.1-10  “Saved by His Life”

The Signs of the Times : March 5, 1896

We have now passed through the first four chapters of Romans.  The third chapter sums up the argument that all men are guilty and are to be judged by the same law.  The law is universal in its jurisdiction, and as it condemns all, none can get righteousness by it, although it is the statement of the righteousness of God. But God has promised righteousness to men, therefore they must get it aside from the works of the law, namely, in Christ.  In his blood there is redemption for Jew and gentile alike.  A man is made a doer of the law by faith alone, without the deeds of the law. This is the mystery of the Gospel.  It is Christ in men, the hope of glory, and God in Christ working His own righteousness.

The fourth chapter has taken up the case of Abraham as an illustration of righteousness by faith. The faith, which was imputed to him, faith in the death and resurrection of Christ, will bring us the same righteousness, and make us heirs with him of the same promise.  But the fourth chapter is really a parenthetical illustration, so that the fifth begins where the third closes.  We therefore proceed with the subject of

Righteousness by Faith: Romans 5:1-10

“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. 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.”