Romans 5:6–10

Context

This passage is part of the Epistle to the Romans, which the apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome. In chapters 3–4, Paul explains justification, the teaching that a person is declared righteous by faith rather than by the works of the law. In 5:1–11, he goes on to describe the peace with God and the hope that result from it. Verses 6–10 present the death of Christ as the ground of that hope. The passage describes humanity in turn as "without strength," "the ungodly," "sinners," and "enemies," emphasizing that God's love was shown to those who did not deserve it. A new section beginning at verse 12 contrasts Adam and Christ.

Interpretation

Verses 9–10 use the phrase "much more" to argue from the lesser to the greater: if God reconciled us while we were still enemies, then much more will he save us to the end now that we have been reconciled.

• Reformed reading: The Reformed tradition (including Presbyterians) understands "died for us" as atonement in which Christ bore the penalty in the place of sinners. It frequently cites verses 9–10 in support of the perseverance of the saints (the doctrine that true believers remain in salvation to the end).
• Wesleyan reading: Wesleyan theology (including Methodist and Holiness churches) reads verse 8 as evidence of God's love toward all sinners. It connects this with prevenient grace (the grace that reaches people before they believe) and emphasizes sanctification, the life the believer lives after being reconciled.
• Reading of "by his life": Many commentators connect this phrase with the life of the risen Christ and with the teaching that Christ continues to intercede for believers (Romans 8:34).

Debates and Issues

• How verse 7 distinguishes between "a righteous man" and "a good man" is a well-known difficulty on which commentators differ.
• The phrase "in due time" in verse 6 renders a Greek expression meaning "at the right time." Interpretations diverge over whether it refers to a time appointed in history or to the very moment when humanity was helpless.
• There is broad agreement that the future tense "we shall be saved" in verses 9–10 refers to salvation at the final judgment. Whether it supports the view that salvation once received cannot be lost, however, is bound up with the predestination and free will debate, and denominations understand it differently.
• The meaning of "reconciled" in verse 10 is also debated. Opinions differ as to whether it refers to the removal of God's wrath, the removal of human hostility, or both.

In the Korean Church

Verse 8 is often used in evangelism. In the Four Spiritual Laws tract distributed by Korea Campus Crusade for Christ, it is reportedly used as a proof text showing that Christ's death is the solution to the problem of sin. Verse 8 is also widely used as a Scripture memorization verse.

Related Passages

• Romans 3:21–26
• Romans 8:32
• 2 Corinthians 5:18–20
• 1 John 4:9–12
• 1 Peter 3:18