Bible Studies

Justification By Faith

by Henry Jaegers
11/27/24
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Studies in the Book of Romans

By Henry Jaegers

 Chapter 5

Justification By Faith

 When we first introduced the book of Romans, we stated first that the purpose of this book is to explain to us, what it means to be a Christian. The book of Romans stands out above all of the other in Paul's Epistles as unique, for this is the only one that deals more clearly than the others on this subject. Although it is strongly doctrinal, it is also extremely practical, and it becomes this way when we understand more perfectly what the matter of Salvation by Grace through Faith means.

 We mentioned also that this matter of Salvation is composed of three parts and this matter of Full Salvation is composed of all three. Chapter five deals with the matter of "Justification. Chapter six deals with the matter of "Sanctification, and Chapter eight explains the end results which have to do with the matter of Glorification.

 For now, we will give an overview of where we are going in chapters 5 through 8.

 But before we proceed with our study in chapter five, I find it necessary to review what we have already covered in order to understand the process that leads up to the teachings we are about to consider.

 First, in chapter one, Paul introduces himself as God's servant and that also includes how he views himself in his relationship with them. In verses 1 through 17, Paul begins by sharing with us his total commitment to communicating the Good News with others. But he continues by dealing with that which hinders the proclamation of that Good news. Before he can share the Good news, he must deal with the facts concerning the Bad news. The bad news is that men who live their lives in unrighteousness and unGodliness are under the wrath of God. It means that they are already this way and throughout the rest of Chapter One, Paul goes into some detail as to what evidence that this unGodliness and unrighteousness exists. These in chapter one are outward evidence that describes what ungodliness and unrighteousness mean.

 But in chapter two, he further deals with the source of all of these outwardly unrighteous deeds. It is a matter of self-righteousness. It is the matter of self-righteousness that causes us to judge others., We fail to recognize self-righteousness as equally a sin that is also under the wrath of God.  Self-righteousness is the inward form of ungodliness and one more dangerous when we fail to recognize all forms of self as being under the wrath of God. And if we fail to recognize that "Self occupying the throne where  God deserves to be, then we cannot deal properly with this matter of sin that expresses the need for a Great Salvation.

 And Paul deals with this subject concerning the need for salvation. But now when we come to chapter three, Paul continues to deal with this matter of "Being under the Law. It was mistakenly understood by the Jews as having the law of Moses and believing in it as an intellectual matter. Paul further explains that the purpose of the Law was not to produce righteousness. Its purpose was to expose unrighteousness.

Being under the law in essence was resting in something that we do, rather than what we are. True righteousness is an act of God, not the works of the flesh. He concludes, that because of the broken law, all men are guilty before God and there is a need for something better. And now a righteousness which the Law could not produce is presented to us.

 And that brings us to chapter four where God introduces to us a New economy that supersedes a righteousness that the law cannot produce.

 It is not a new economy. It is one that traces back even as far as Noah but is more fully explained and introduced by the life and example of Abraham. And that brings us to chapter five where the subject of Justification by Faith is explained. It was introduced by Abraham but now is more fully explained by Paul.

 As we continue our study of Romans chapter 5. we must first recall the closing words of Chapter 4. Why,  you may ask. The beginning word "Therefore" continues from the closing words, Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. To clarify the word "Who was delivered for our Offences should be viewed as "Because of our offenses. Because of our sin and inability to do anything by ourselves to correct the problem of sin,  God stepped in and not only made it possible, but Himself provided the means by which we may be presented as acceptable before God. And "Being delivered for our offenses means just  that.

 Then "Being raised again for our justification, reveals the need and evidence that God has made it possible for us to be declared righteous by God. It is through His son only that justification can be ours. Declared righteous because of what Jesus has made possible. And now we come to understand the blessing of being declared righteous by a God who can do nothing less.

 The Step that Leads to Glory. (Verses 1 and 2)

  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.

 I have called this section "The Step that Leads to Glory. What I mean by phrasing it this way, is that this is the first of two steps that take us to the subject of Glorification as found in chapter 8. Now, let's examine the blessing behind these marvelous words. Having been declared righteous by God. we now have peace with God."   Consider first what our condition was, before God stepped in. We were aliens from God. That means totally separated because of our unrighteousness and ungodliness. There was no hope, but we lived a life characterized by fear and emptiness. And the fact is, that until we experienced the great act of God in providing this "justification" we could not even recognize the danger that we were in. But God, through means of the law produced guilt, which led to repentance and receiving pardon. Now, through this matter of justification, we are made right  with God (The meaning of reconciliation) We have peace with God and thus have confidence that I can come to Him as a child and no longer fear Him as my enemy.

 And now having taken this first step, we are assured that we are on the way to greater glory. I am not talking about dying and going to Heaven afterward, but a Glory that begins at the point of justification, and continues with a life here on earth that reflects the glory of God to others. It is a life that grows continually until the time that the final gory will be revealed.

 It is a sad matter when sanctification is omitted from the step that leads to glory. Sanctification is the inner working of the Holy Spirit, producing in us a life worth living in this life below.  There is a strange Gospel presented by many that leads people to believe that Christ died in order to make it possible for you to go to heaven. Christ came to make eternal life possible. That is different from everlasting Life. Everlasting life has to do with time whereas Eternal life has to do with quality. Eternal life has to do with the kingdom of God living inside me. I don't have to wait until I die to receive it. It is available right now to be enjoyed and displayed to a dying world that needs to know of its availability and possibility right now. Everlasting life is what I get when I leave this life but eternal life is available today in order for men to enjoy and experience the glory of God at the present time.

 And just think about it, we have discovered all of this in the first two verses. Imagine what else there is to discover.

 Tribulation: The Next Step that Leads to Glory Verses 3 through 5)

 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.

 This is indeed a strange idiom. that a man could find glory and hope in tribulation. This is another reason to investigate, what it means to be a Christian.? A Christian, if he is sincere and committed becomes the target for Satan. He never bothered us before while we were his slaves. But now as we walk in truth, we begin to see how great in number our enemies become.

 Then recall the words of Peter who told us, "My Brethren, think it not strange concerning the fiery trials that shall try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of  Christ's sufferings, that when His glory shall be revealed ye shall be glad also with exceeding joy. It sounds like he was reading Romans 5:3. There is a greater reason for tribulation. The trial of our faith is an essential part of the Christian life because it is that trial that makes us stronger and produces important qualities like endurance, perseverance, understanding, and hope, to name a few. Tribulation to our soul can be like exercise to the body. It produces those character qualities that lead to a God, Glorifying life.

 To the world, tribulation leads to discouragement and hopelessness. But not so for the Christian. The Christian can glory in tribulation because he has some concept of what the glory is that shall follow. Then we are reminded in that great Faith chapter in Hebrews, By Faith we understand. Not by logic or diligent study. There is such a thing as "Spiritual understanding, hidden from the eyes of the careless and casual reader of God's word. When we study Romans chapter six, we shall understand the significance of this.

 The Demonstration of God's Love (Verses 6 through 8)

  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.

 One day while trying to convince a man, that the God whose name he was cursing loved him, his reply to me was, If that is true, how come all of this evil exists in the world? I replied that this evil has nothing to do with God's love. The great fact and question is, how can such Love exist in spite of man's sin? And I think that it clarifies this opening statement: "For when we were without strength, in due time, Christ Died for the ungodly. God is not partial to only the righteous in demonstrating  His Love. To those who had no desire, knowledge, or concept of God, He took the first step in providing a way of escape from our dilemma. While we were hopeless, helpless, and had no inner strength to help ourselves, God in his great mercy provided beforehand a solution for us. He demonstrated in His foreknowledge, a plan for man's redemption before he ever knew that he had a need. Now that is a demonstration of love from our heavenly father.

 But our verse continues: "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. Here is God revealing to us a love that far surpasses every human endeavor. He reveals the possibility that human love can show. There are men, who operate outside of the love of God who are willing to sacrifice themselves on behalf of a friend or a righteous person. That is the ultimate demonstration of Human  love. But now, there is a demonstration of love that exceeds the capacity of human love, and it is this:

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

 In these words, there is a message to the man who has responded to God's Love. It is a reminder of the Grace of God displayed to us by causing us to become his heirs. We are no longer strangers but a nation of kings and priests. To the Christian, He is our Heavenly Father And that brings us into a new relationship with Him. God, loving the sinner without a response from him, does not change the fact that God loves him regardless of his choice. But this part of God's love reveals that there is much more for those who are the recipients of God's love and recognize it. The contrast is noted, that God is able to love His enemies, and the Good news for us is, that he can enable us to do the same thing. By loving our enemies. Imagine that!

 Justification: It is Just the Beginning. (Verses 9 through 11)

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

 Consider this opening part of these verses: " Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

 There are three things of note in this verse that are important to our inner peace. The first, "Much More."It is found twice in this cluster of verses. Why do you suppose this is emphasized? Perhaps, it may be an introduction to what is to take place in the following chapters. Is it possible that Paul is trying to explain, that being a Christian does not stop at Justification? That may not be his purpose for now, but it certainly is quite common for many to hold to the fact that salvation from Eternal wrath is most important. Justification is the door by which salvation begins, but there is much more to the Christian life than being saved from God's wrath.

 And by this insertion, we may for a moment detract from what else is being said, We must be reminded that the Christian life does not end with being declared righteous. Sanctification is needed to become righteous.

 The next thing that we note is being Justified by His Blood. That is the only ground by which salvation can take place. God has established that and has provided it because there was no other way to stand in the presence of God. In our own righteousness, we stand condemned but covered by the blood of Christ, God sees only that and thus we are pardoned.

 Then consider the words, "We shall be saved from wrath through Him. Without Christ, we stand condemned, but because of Christ's blood, the angel of wrath passes over.

 An illustration of this is found in the final pouring out of God's wrath upon all the firstborn of Egypt. The Israelites were commanded to put blood over the mantle of the doors. As the death angel came forth, all those covered by the blood over the mantle were saved from the wrath of God.

 And as we consider the wrath of God being revealed against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, because we have been cleansed by the blood, we need not fear the wrath of God. That is all part of being Justified. God has made the declaration and we need not fear the wrath of God.

Now consider the closing words: " 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  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

 If we compare what has been previously said, it refers to what His death has accomplished. It has been the source of our being Justified. But now a new dimension is added. Being saved by His life. Cleansed by His blood but now saved by His life. What does that mean?

 In the process of salvation, two important things take place. Besides being forgiven, we have the Holy Spirit placed within us to make it possible to live a life that has the power to continue to live the Christian life. In the economy of God, justification was not all. That is where the term. "Much More applies.  In other words, there is more to the Christian life than being saved from the wrath of God. God has placed a principle within to deal with another problem. That is the problem of "Self-being in control of our life. Jesus not only died to save us from past sins, but he has implanted within us the Holy Spirit to help us overcome the problem of "Self"

 I like to explain it like this: The Blood takes care of past sins, but the cross deals with that old man within who is striving to take over the reign of our life (Which rightfully belongs to God. When we come to chapter six, this matter will be dealt with more precisely.

 We have the potential to live our lives as overcomers of sinful desires that my continue to plague us, though we are justified and set free from sins of the past.

 Finally, notice these words, " but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. We who were once strangers to God are now reconciled and are now at one with god. A good way to view this word atonement is to parse it to say, at-one-ment. That is what it means.

God's Alternative to Death (Verses 12 through 19)

  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:  (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.  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.  But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense 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.  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 offenses unto justification.

 In following through from our previous statement, Men because of their inability to measure up to the Holiness of God, were without hope and the possibility of Eternal life. But God, through the death of His son has made it possible for us to be made one with God. That is the result of our being Justified.

 But now in these verses, the origin of our past sins is traced to our first father, Adam.  His disobedience caused the curse to fall on all who have followed. We cannot help being separated from God. We were born that way. And if God had not stepped in, life would be hopeless and death would be inevitable. The evidence of man's guilt apart from breaking the law, is that he experienced physical death. There are those in our world who know nothing about God, Sin, and the Law, yet they nevertheless experience death, even in their ignorance. The evidence of sin is death. But God has provided a way of escape.

 The argument seems to be against those who might be tempted to think that that Adam had no law, how could he have sinned? But Adam did have a Law. It was one commandment rather than ten. There seems to be an implication that because Adam had no law, then sin could not be imputed to him. The breaking of that one law was enough to bring condemnation on all that came after him, Unless.

 We stopped with Unless because there is an alternative to continuing in this sin and judgment passed upon us by Adam.

 It is through the means of a gift that God has provided. It is not like the sin of Adam, where man has no choice in the matter of death. But now, God has provided a Gift, and we now have a choice to receive that free gift. By declaring it as a free gift, that does not mean that it is not without cost to God. It cost God the death of His only begotten Son. Neither does it mean that by receiving that gift, that it relieves us from any responsibility. It is a free gift because it is the only way it could be received. We have a debt of sin that we cannot pay and the only way to escape the consequences of the broken law, is to receive Eternal life,  And the response of receiving that gift should be that of eternal gratitude. Have you received that Gift?

 How Law and Grace Harmonize. (Verses 20 and 21)

  Moreover, the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so, might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

 Because we cannot keep the Law perfectly, it does not mean that the Law has no place in the life of the Christian. It is still holy as God is Holy, and it reflects the perfection of God. But because we cannot keep it, that does not mean that we should despair. The Good News is, that no matter how badly we have failed in our effort to be holy, God's Grace is abundantly able to provide pardon and freedom from sin's power. In other words, you cannot outsin the Grace of God. And that statement may open the door to wrong conclusions. And as we approach chapter six, Paul deals with misunderstandings that some may have over this matter of "Abundant Grace.