Lesson 6—Free from Wrath (Chapter 5)
for October 8, 2000

Introduction

This chapter begins with a statement that sums up the main message of the previous chapters: “we have been justified through faith” (5:1). That fits with the theme of the letter as stated in 1:16-17—the gospel is the power of God for salvation. Then the resulting blessing of that justification is stated. Because we have been justified (by faith), we have peace with God.

Peace with God

Our peace comes through Jesus Christ. He is the one who gives us access to this wonderful gift (grace). Christians can rejoice in the hope they have. The different perspective that the Christian life brings changes the way we view everything, even our sufferings (v. 3).

Note the progression that Paul describes: sufferings, perseverance, character, and hope. Each builds on the other, and then hope comes from the love that God has given through his Holy Spirit. Hope springs from the peace we have in Christ.

Peace here does not primarily refer to inner tranquility, but to our new relationship with God in which all hostility with God has been removed through Christ’s atoning work.
However, a certain measure of inner peace will ensue from that right relationship. Perhaps that is exactly how any of the Christian martyrs could face their deaths with quiet composure.

Paul reemphasizes the magnificence of the gift (vv. 6-8) by reminding us that we are not worthy of it. God’s special love is shown in that he redeemed us when we were sinners, ungodly and powerless.

We have been reconciled (brought back on good terms) to God, not by anything we have done, but by the blood (sacrifice) of Jesus. We are saved and it gives us reason to rejoice in what God has done through Jesus.

John Stott comments that “the fruits of justification relate to the past, present and future. We have peace with God (as a result of our past forgiveness). We are standing in grace (our present privilege). We rejoice in the hope of glory (our future inheritance).”

Contrast of Adam and Christ

The main point of this section (vv. 12-21) is to show the magnitude of our salvation. Paul does this through a contrast between Adam and Christ. He portrays the depth of man’s helplessness and hopelessness in the face of sin. When set against our salvation as a gift of God through Jesus, it causes both our sinfulness and justification to stand out with bold prominence.

Paul also brings up in this section an interesting theological issue. Adam’s sin was a deliberate transgression of a specific commandment of God. Paul states that sin is not taken into account when there is no law (v. 13). However, death reigned (because of sin) during the time from Adam to Moses, even though the law (of Moses) had not been given. Therefore, there must have been another law in effect during that time. That law may have been the innate moral code of which Paul speaks in chapter 1.

Questions

1. Can you define or explain these key words in this chapter?

justified, peace, grace, hope, (God’s) wrath, reconciled (reconciliation)

2. How is perseverance produced from suffering? character from perseverance? hope from character?

3. Why does Paul contrast what one might do for a righteous man versus a good man (vv. 7-8)?

4. Locate the two “how much more” arguments that Paul uses in vv. 9-11. What is the point of those arguments?

5. What is the main point of contrasting Adam and Christ? How does it apply to you?

6. Paul states that the gift is not like the trespass (v. 15). How is it different?
Application

Application

Do you find it difficult to accept the grace that God gives to justify your sins? Why or why not?

Have you experienced in your life any of the progression from suffering to perseverance to character to hope that Paul discusses?

When you read chapter 5, how does it affect your thinking about sin and grace?