NGH BIBLE STUDY – ROMANS – OUTLINE #10
The Peace of Justification by Faith (Romans 5:1-11)
Rm 5:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11
William McDonald in his “Believer’s Bible Commentary” calls this 11 verse section “The Practical Benefits of the Gospel” – and lists seven major blessings the believer enjoys because of what God has done in salvation:
(1) peace with God (Rm 5:1),
(2) access into an indescribable position of favour with God (Rm 5:2),
(3) rejoicing in hope of the glory of God (Rm 5:2),
(4) the ability to glory in tribulations (Rm 5:3),
(5) we are eternally secure in Christ (five “much mores” in Rm 5:9,10,15,17,20),
(6) we rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rm 5:11),
(7) we have received reconciliation (Rm 5:11).
Major themes in these 11 verses include: Justification by Faith, Peace with God, Christian Hope, Purpose in Suffering, God’s Love Displayed at the Cross, Reconciliation & Assurance.
Outline
Rm 5:1-2 – Peace and Access through Justification
- Peace with God
- Standing in Grace and Joy in Hope of Glory
Rm 5:3-4,5 – Finding Purpose in Tribulations or Suffering
- Suffering produces endurance (or perseverance) which produces character (ESV/NKJV) which produces Hope
Rm 5:6-7,8 – The Ultimate Demonstration of God’s Love
- Humanity’s Plight – (1) without strength (or weak), (2) ungodly, (3) sinners (and “enemies” in Rm 5:10)
- God’s extraordinary love is seen in the cross – human love might extend all the way to death for a good person – but God loved us when we were weak, ungodly, sinful enemies!
Rm 5:9-10,11 – Saved from Wrath and Reconciled
- What God has done is the great assurance we have of what he will now do – he reconciled us when we were enemies by the death of his Son – we can be absolutely confident that he will keep us now through His life!
- Note that the believer (Rm 5:11) rejoices “in God” – not just in what God has given. The greatest blessing of eternal life is to know God (John 17:3) and the greatest occupation for a human being is to rejoice in God and bring him glory.
Key Points/Questions for Discussion
- How is “peace with God” to be understood when compared to the “peace of God” (Phil 4:7) and the third aspect of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 – “love, joy, PEACE”, . . .?
- What is Christian “hope” (Rm 5:2, 4, 5)? How is it different than the common usage of the word “hope” in our everyday vocabulary?
- Why does God not protect his own from passing through trials and suffering?
- What do the different descriptors used teach us about our natural condition when God loved us and Christ died for us – without strength? Ungodly? Sinners? Enemies? How has God’s love responded to each of these?
- How do we understand the term “saved from wrath” (v9) and “saved by his life” (Rm 5:10)?