Romans 6:15–23

¹⁵ What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! ¹⁶ Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? ¹⁷ But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. ¹⁸ And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. ¹⁹ I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. ²⁰ For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. ²¹ What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. ²² But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Commentary

Vs. 15-16 Following his previous exhortation in 6:14 where the Apostle Paul stated that "we are not under law but under grace". He now follows that up here in verse 15 with the next logical progression, and that is, "shall we then sin because we are not under Law but under grace". To which he answers, "certainly not!" For "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?" vs. 16

And so the Apostle has no qualms in commanding us all that a life no longer under the Law, is not then a life to be lived in sin. For as the Apostle Paul warns here, if you submit yourselves to sin, then you will become slaves of sin (see John 8:34-36) which in the end only leads to death (Rom 6:23). Not bodily death (though that is apart of sins consequences, but eternal death, and thus separation from God forever. However if you submit yourselves too righteousness in obedience to Christ then you will be slaves of righteousness. And so this principal which seems so simple and straightforward, yet sadly is often overlooked by believers, as God's grace, which is to be front and center when it comes to salvation, is sometimes misunderstood when it comes to our sanctification (consider Eph 4:17-24). Therefore do not be deceived into thinking that you can dabble in sin without any repercussions. For God is not mocked, for whatever a person sows that they will reap. "For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." Gal 6:7  Therefore we are to submit ourselves to righteousness in obedience to Him, and not to sin. For if you submit yourselves to sin, then you will become slaves of sin. However if you submit yourselves to Christ in truth, then you will become slaves of righteousness. For those who give themselves over to sin, only find themselves being slaves of sin. But if you give your heart and lives to Christ then sin has no more dominion over you (consider James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 1 John 5:18).

Vs. 17-18 Having warned us all about the perils of being slaves of sin; the Apostle Paul's tone changes here from that of exhortation too encouragement. And so though we were once slaves of sin, whether in thought, word, or deed. Yet in obeying from the heart "that form of doctrine", (i.e. the Gospel, and all it's related writings in the New Testament), we were set free from being slaves of sin, to being slaves of righteousness (vs. 17-18). Thus what is being stated here is each and every believers liberty through Christ, position In Christ, and now responsibility to Christ. Notice then that faith and obedience are intertwined. For believing does not just involve the mind (i.e. "mental assent"), it invokes the will! Thus the living out of the Gospel's truths must daily take place through our own individual persons. And so we each must renew our minds and submit our bodies to righteousness so that God's purposes for our lives might be accomplished through them (consider Rom 12:1-2).

Vs. 19-21 ¹⁹ I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. ²⁰ For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. ²¹ What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 

The Apostle begins here by briefly touching on why he was using this language of "slavery" to describe believers condition when they were under sin and law, and now afterwards as we are In Christ. It was because of the weakness of their flesh; that is they were still living carnally, and not as Christians freed from sin, and released from the Laws servitude should. And so not realizing their freedom In Christ from sin, and the strength of it, which is the Law (1 Cor 15:56). And so here the Apostle Paul is exhorting us all to live lives in accord with our new standing In Christ, and the incredible liberty we have from sin through Him. Thus the Apostle Paul choose to use the analogy of slavery to describe what happens to us when we submit ourselves either to sin or righteousness. For before salvation his readers were as a matter of life submitting themselves to sin, and so just as they had willingly done that, so now they were to willingly submit themselves (i.e. their bodily members) to righteousness, so that they might live holy lives (vs. 19). 
For when we were slaves of sin sin we were "free" in regards to righteousness (Vs. 20). That is when sin was our master, we were only free in regards to righteousness because we were enslaved to sin. And so in reality we had no freedom, just bondage to sin, thus we reaped many woes and sorrows through it. That is why the Apostle Paul asks us in verse 21 to think back for moment on just what those dreadful days and empty nights without hope, peace and purpose were like, when he asks us: "What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death." (vs. 21) For truly the only fruit we had in those things of which we are now ashamed was nothing but personal miseries, many regrets, and much sorrow. For that is the fruit of sin, and the end of it, death (Prov. 16:25). And so yes we are ashamed of our past lives, and want nothing more to do with it. For in being forgiven our sins and released from being in bondage to them, we are not only eternally grateful to the Lord Jesus for the life that He has given and placed inside of us (2 Cor 5:17), but we also want to be outspoken in our praise and gratitude towards Him for saving us, yes, but also bold in warning others about the perils of sin, and just what Lord He has done to save us all from it (Job 33:27). 

Vs. 22-23 ²² But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.


And so from slaves of sin, too slaves of righteousness, so God has transformed us. And so we have the good fruit of holiness in our lives, and the end, everlasting life. Thus there is no ambiguity about a believers liberty and freedom from sin In Christ. We have been freed from sin and death, and brought to life by the crucifixion death and resurrection life of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so we are new creations in Christ, fully brought to Spirit life, and recreated with new hearts and new minds to both do, and want to do, the will of God. A will which is most clearly revealed to us in His Word. Which not only brings the will of God to light for our lives, but also gives us the parameters in which we can work it out in our lives (Phil 2:12-13). For we have both the life of Christ (Gal 2:20), and the mind of Christ within us (1 Cor 2:16). And so our persons and lives are not only inexplicably bound up with His, but also in a mysterious way our lives are being directed by His. Therefore though not overriding our free-will, God is still working out His Will through our lives. For we were set from sin's bondage, and brought to life for the Lord Jesus Christ's purposes, and so we are slaves or bondservants of God, who willingly want to work with Him, in fulfilling His purposes in the earth.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Vs. 23 

And so the way is made clear to us all. The Life of faith in, and obedience towards God through the Lord Jesus Christ which leads to holiness, and the end everlasting life. Or the "life" of sin and separation from God and it's end which is eternal condemnation. And so One Way is narrow, and at times difficult, requiring we not only exclusively believe/trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation. But we also follow Him in discipleship, surrendering our lives to Him, so that He might work out His purposes through them. The contrast then being a life lived in this world for the things and values of this world. Whether these are sinful pursuits and desires, or these are the innumerable things and pursuits that one tries to find meaning, purpose, fulfillment etc. for themselves in, apart from God. And so the One path is Christ centered, bringing the fruits of the Holy Spirit to bear through one's person and life, while the other is self-centered bringing nothing to bear but the "wisdom" of this world and the fruits thereof  (James 3:13-18; 1 John 2:15-17). And so the One path leads us into true fulfillment bringing and bearing the fruits of righteousness and the abundance of life that God gives and manifests through us as He brings to liberty and life all who believe in His Son. While the other is an empty and vain life which only lives to to gratify one's fleshes lusts, impulses and sinful desires. And so the One path then leads to eternal glory, the other eternal ruin. Which path are you on? 

Scripture Quotation  
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted 
Vs. 19 Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Romans 6:1–14

¹ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? ² Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? ³ Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, ⁶ knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. ⁷ For he who has died has been freed from sin. ⁸ Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, ⁹ knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. ¹⁰ For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. ¹¹ Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. ¹³ And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Commentary
Vs. 1 Having declared in Rom 5:20 that "where sins abounds grace abounds much more". The Apostle Paul's opening question here of whether we should continue in sin so that grace might abound, is by any reasonable estimation simply to guard us from those who would turn God's grace into a "licence" for sin (consider Jude 4). Yet it will also serve as a wonderful introduction for some very profound truths on every believers victory over sin that we have because of Jesus Christ's Crucifixion death and Resurrection life, and thus our being completely united (or joined) to His Person through all of of His Redemptive work.

Vs. 2 And so here the Apostle answers his own question from verse one on our continuing on in sin that grace might abound with a resounding no! or as translated, certainly not! (lit. "by no means!"). Because as Paul will go on to say, we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have died with the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus we have died to both sin (discussed here in chapter six), and Law (discussed in chapter seven).

Vs. 3 "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" 

Thus the Apostle Paul  here begins to unfold the profound change that has taken place in us all who believe in Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection and how this has removed sins dominion from being over our persons and lives. Now the baptism being referred too here is not the baptism of water immersion, (though that can wonderfully demonstrate the particular truths being declared here, and thus it can serve that purpose in many ways). Nonetheless water baptism does not bring anyone into a Spiritual unity or oneness with Christ; in either His death, or in His life. And so what is being referred to here is what happens at the time of salvation, when one is born-again by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ through the Spirit of God. Therefore the "baptism" being referred to here is that of the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 12:13), who regenerates us and unites us with Christ in every aspect of His Redemptive Work, the moment we believe in His Person (Eph. 1:13-14). Thus it is said here that as many of us who were baptized into Christ were baptized into His death. Therefore when Jesus died on the cross for all our sins, we who believe in Him likewise have died with Him too sin. That is the point being made here by the Apostle Paul. Through our faith in Jesus Christ our whole being has been baptized into His death. Thus whatever strongholds sin once held in our lives we have now been set free from through our co-death with Jesus Christ. Is then sin dead in us? No, sin is never said to be dead in a believer. But we have died to it, and thus we are no longer slaves of it. Christ's death bought our liberty, and because of our faith in Jesus Christ's Person, God's Spirit has baptized us into Christ's death, so that our old nature is effectively dead and buried, but our new nature is very much alive and well In Christ (consider 2 Cor 5:17).

Vs. 4 "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." 

Therefore we have not only died with Christ, but we were buried with Him. The implication being that our old sin nature is not only dead, it is effectively "dead and buried." Therefore just as Christ was raised from the dead by (or through) the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in newness of life with Him (Italics mine). And so we have been buried with Jesus Christ through baptism into His death, so that our sinful nature having been effectively dealt with, we can now walk in newness of life. No longer as slaves of sin, but rather as free men and women in Christ. Which is self-evident proof too everyone of the power of God's salvation to both save and transform anyone through and for the glory of God the Father, which is now actively at work in every believers life, changing us all from one glory to another (consider 2 Cor 3:18; Phil 1:6).

Vs. 5-7 ⁵ For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, ⁶ knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. ⁷ For he who has died has been freed from sin.

And so just as we have been united with Jesus Christ in His death, most certainly we shall be in the likeness of His Resurrection (vs. 5; also see Col 2:12; 2 Tim. 2:11). Thus no longer dead in our sins and transgressions, we having been released from them, are now Spiritually alive with Christ and thus we are being now made (or better remade) to bear the likeness of Christ's Resurrection glory, in every aspect of it. Though here the emphasis is on our moral transformation (vs. 6-7), for a Christian living in sin is an oxymoron. Yet this transformation of our persons goes far beyond that to the complete and total transformation of every aspect of our persons, which will not see completion until we are in God's Presence in heaven, bodily with Christ (1 Cor 15:46-49). And so for now the primary focus here and now is on our character, (on our inward person), so that we bear the righteousness, godliness, holiness etc. outwardly that is Jesus Christ's Person, in our persons, here and now. But we do this without forsaking God's love, mercy, justice, kindness etc. in the process. Therefore too forward that end in our lives, the Apostle Paul here reveals another very powerful truth about each and every believers position In Christ which is not only effective for thwarting temptation, but also is necessary if we are too have any lasting success in overcoming sin in our lives (consider 1 Cor 10:13; 2 Cor 10:3-4). Now this most crucial truth is stated in verses six and seven as: ⁶ knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. ⁷ For he who has died has been freed from sin.
And so we have not only died with Christ, we have been crucified with Him. That is our old sinful nature has been crucified with Christ so that the body of sin; that is this mortal body and all of it's sinful and ungodly lusts might be done away with; that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For through Jesus Christ's Crucifixion death we being crucified with Him have also died with Him to sin, and thus we have been set free from being slaves to sin. For again God did not strip sin of it's power in this world. Instead He stripped it of it's power in us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. That is what the Lord Jesus Christ's Crucifixion death has done for us all who believe in Him. Not only redeemed our persons from going to hell, and thus the wrath to come, but He has also through His Crucifixion death and Resurrection from the dead delivered us from the power of sin in our daily lives. Thus our freedom from sin and death comes to us directly through Christ's cross. Do then believers become sinless in this life? Obviously not, for if we did then we would no longer be in need of the grace (consider 1 John 1:6-10, 2:1-2; 2 Peter 3:17-18), nor the Spirit of God who again is transforming us from one glory, to another glory. And so our liberty from sin and death came at a very high price, a price which we ourselves could not pay, nor would God have us pay. Instead He paid it all through Christ's Crucifixion death and Resurrection from the dead so that we all who believe in Him now have freedom from sin and fullness of life (everlasting life) with Him and through Him 

Vs. 8-11 ⁸ Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, ⁹ knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. ¹⁰ For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. ¹¹ Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Having died with Christ we shall also live with Him. A profound truth that serves as a backdrop for our victory over sin and death. Thus having had our old natures crucified with Christ we are raised too life with Christ, so that we now have victory over sin and death through His Risen life. For just as Jesus first died and then was raised from the dead, thus He dies no more, death has no more dominion over Him, so too sin has no more dominion over us all who believe in Him (vs. 8-9). And so the death Jesus died, He died to sin once and for all (meaning He will never have to die again for our redemption from sin, specifically here too grant us our liberty from sin), for He died to sin once for all. But the life that He lives, He lives to God (vs. 10). And so just as Jesus having risen from dead, lives to God, separate from sin So too we having been raised from the dead with Him must also live our new lives to God by keeping ourselves from our old sinful desires. Therefore through Christ's Crucifixion death and Resurrection life we having died to sin with Him, have also been raised to new and everlasting life with Himself. Therefore, "we are to reckon ourselves dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Vs. 12-14 ¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. ¹³ And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Having died to sin (and thus it's power over our persons) we are not let it reign in or mortal bodies that we should obey it in it's lusts (vs. 12). The implication being that one can bring themselves back into sin's bondage if after salvation one returns to its clasps. For salvation from sin is not an immunity to it. Therefore we are not to present our bodies as instruments of sin, which only harms oneself and others. Rather we are to present ourselves to God as people who are alive from the dead (see Eph. 2:1-10) and whose members are now instruments of righteousness to God (also see Rom 12:1-2). Thus instead of serving sin, and the sinful desires of ones flesh which only ends in death (Rom 6:23), we are now to serve God as liberated people, and thus in every positive and healthy way. For truly serving God by doing good with with your person and life not only testifies to Christ's life within us, but brings peace to your person and life and those lives you will touch with your new life In Christ. Now we who believe In Christ can do this because we are no longer under the law, and thus sin can have no more dominion over us, for we have been released from both as the Apostle Paul says, "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." vs. 14 Thus in being delivered from sin, we have also been delivered from the Law, and thus sins power which was drawn from it can no longer enslave us who have been set free from it. For living under the Law is not the means to liberty from sin for anyone. Indeed the Law is the strength of sin (see 1 Cor 15:56). Therefore it is only by living by faith through the grace of God, that comes to us all through the Gospel of God, that a person finds his or her life and liberty In Christ, and God ultimately fulfills His purposes for them.


Scripture Quotation  
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Romans 5:12-21

¹² Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—¹³ (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. ¹⁴ Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. ¹⁵ But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. ¹⁶ And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. ¹⁷ For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) ¹⁸ Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. ¹⁹ For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. ²⁰ Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, ²¹ so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Commentary
 Having declared the way of justification, the Apostle now moves back to the beginning explaining to us through whom sin entered the world, and through whom redemption from sin comes.

Vs. 12 Sin entered the world through Adam, the first created human being, from whom all other human beings came, and so Adam is, as the commentaries like to call him, the feudal head of the entire human race. Now when Adam partook of the fruit which Eve his wife offered him, which God forbid them both to eat, they both died (that is they both became estranged from the life of God at that moment) and thus sin entered the world through Adam's disobedience. For that is what sin is, disobedience to the will of God. And so when sin entered the world, not just Adam and Eve became estranged from God, but all of creation became estranged from Him. Since God had set Adam over all of His creation and charged Adam with keeping it, it is thus through Adam that sin entered the world, and thus all of creation became estranged from God with him, because he was the "head" whom God placed over all of creation. And that is the state of this world, and all of creation with it. Estranged from God because of one mans sin, which by default brought with it death and corruption to one and to all. That is what the main point the Apostle Paul is making in verse twelve to fourteen that through one man, Adam, sin entered the world and thus death spread to all men because all sinned. That is in Adam all men (all humanity) sinned in the sight of God, and so there is no one born since Adam who cannot be charged with having not sinned, since death comes to us all. Now that principal of sin and death coming to all through ones disobedience, will also be the principal of God that will bring justification to life through One Man the Lord Jesus Christ, though we are getting ahead of ourselves, and so we will wait to discuss that.

Vs. 13 Though sin was in the world from the beginning, God was not imputing sin, until the law came in. And so through the Law we see the principal of death through sin played out time and again, both in God's judgments against it, and in the required sacrifices for it, which was the shedding of sacrificial blood to atone for it (Heb 9.22). 

Vs. 14 Nonetheless though sin was not being imputed before the Law came in, mankind still universally suffered the consequences of it, which is death. Thus the Apostle Paul says here that "...death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come." 
And so Adam's sin did not have to be repeated by anyone else to make manifest the consequences of sin. Sin is, and sin brings with it death, sparing no one, nor anything else in creation (Rom 8:19-25). Now that Adam is a type of Him who was to come is referring to Adam again as being the feudal head of the human race, and so in that way Adam is a type of Him who is to come, who is Christ. Therefore just as God placed Adam over all of His creation in the beginning, so now Jesus Christ having become a Man has replaced Adam as the Head of the entire human race (1 Cor 11:3). Thus satisfying a very important required before atonement could be made for everyone, and thus redemption could come to us all who believe in Him.

Vs. 15  The Apostle Paul thus having laid the ground work for our understanding as too why sin is universally charged against everyone, now moves into realm of how God's grace unto salvation comes to us all who believe in Him. And so though there is a parallel to be made between the first man Adam through whom death came, and the last Man Jesus Christ, through whom comes salvation from sin and death for us who believe in Him (1 Cor. 15:45). That that is where the parallel ends. For by far and away the gift of God through Jesus Christ surpasses and excels all that Adam through his offense (παράπτωμα, "false step") did. And that is the point the Apostle Paul is making here in verses fifteen to twenty one.

Vs. 16 Thus it is stated here in verse sixteen; "And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification." 

In a striking contrast then to Adams sin, and the judgment against it, which brought condemnation. Here the free gift "which came from many offenses resulted in justification." And so just as one mans sin brought in condemnation, so also by One Man's Righteous Act, Jesus Christ, God through the abundance of His grace gives the free gift of His Righteousness to all who believe. And so just as in Adam all die, yet In Christ, by the abundance of God's grace and the gift of His righteousness comes justification to life to all who believe in Jesus Christ. 

Vs. 17 "For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."

And so just as in Adam death reigned over us all, so also in Christ, life (Spirit life, eternal life, His life) reigns over us all who receive the abundance of God's grace and the gift of His righteousness, by our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person.

Vs. 18 ¹⁸ Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 

The Apostle Paul here now sums up all that he has been saying. That just as through ones man's (i.e. Adams) offense judgment came to all men resulting in condemnation. So through one Man's (i.e . Jesus') righteous act the free gift of God came to all men, resulting in justification of life. Therefore the free gift of God's salvation is offered to all people, to freely receive for themselves while they can. Therefore be sure that you have, by repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person. 
And so sin and death (and thus condemnation) comes to us all through Adam. While Justification and Life comes to us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; whose Righteous Act in suffering Crucifixion death for us all redeems us all who believe in Him from sin and condemnation. And so in Adam we are all born into sin and death, and thus we are born into a separated state from God, however through the Lord Jesus Christ we all who believe in Him receive justification with God and thus life everlasting. 

Vs. 19 ¹⁹ For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

And so just as through one mans' disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners. Being made sinners both judicially in the sight of God, as well as literally, because we are all born into sin, and thus sin (not God) rules unregenerate hearts and lives in this life. Even so by one Man's (Jesus') obedience many will be made righteous. Now the fact that many will be made righteous means judicially in the sight of God, as well as literally, as the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit transforms within all who believe. And so just as through Adam's disobedience sin as a consequence of his disobedience continues on in mankind, even so through Jesus Christ's obedience to God many will be made righteous, being made righteous both positionally in the sight of God, as people are born again, and thus are regenerated by the Spirit of God, being declared righteous by God by their faith in Jesus Christ's Person (Rom 5:1). Then of course transitionally. As the ongoing sanctification work of the Holy Spirit refines our persons too more and more resemble Jesus Christ in this life. We are then in that sense also being made righteous. The Perfection only coming when this mortality is swallowed up by life, and we are in the eternal Presence of God with Christ fully separated from sin and death (2 Cor 5:4 also consider 1 Cor 15:53-55).

Vs. 20-21 ²⁰ Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, ²¹ so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Therefore the Law entered not as the antidote to sin (consider 1 Cor 15:56; Gal 3:21),  rather "the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more" vs. 20
And so just as the Law caused the offense to abound, so the grace of God abounded much more in the face of it, bringing glory to God for His righteousness and mercy which He brought in through His Son Jesus Christ to redeem and restore to God everyone who believes in Him. Thus just as sin reigned in death, even so now the grace of God reigns through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now all of this means that if you have sinned, with sin upon sin, even committing the most heinous of sins, and so you think that because you have so gravely sinned against God that you cannot be forgiven, well think again. For where your sin abounded,God's grace abounds much more towards you! God 's grace coming to you through the crucifixion death of His Only begotten Son the Lord Jesus Christ who paid your sins penalty in full on the cross. Therefore all that you need to do to have it imputed to you is for you to receive it by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And so by a simple prayer in faith inviting the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life you can. A prayer by which you acknowledge your sin to God, as well as ask Him through the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your heart and life, to not only forgive and cleanse of all your sins, but also to change you, to completely transform you by His Spirit within you, which He will do, given you a new heart and life the moment you believe and thus receive Him by faith. Therefore pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus Christ I know that I have sinned against God the Father and I need your forgiveness, I believe You suffered crucifixion death so that You alone could atone for all my sins and transgressions. I also believe that three days later You rose from the dead so that You could give me everlasting life with Yourself in heaven. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, amen.

Scripture Quotation  
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted 
Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.

Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001.

Swanson, James. Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

(Vs. 15) Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

(Vs. 19) Wuest, Kenneth S. Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.

Word Studies 
Vs. 15 offense, Str 3900; GK 4183; TDNT 6.170; TDNTA 846; LN LN 88.297 (Matt 6:14; Mark 11:25; Rom 4:25; 5:15-20 (6x); 11:11; 2 Cor 5:9; Gal. 6:1; Eph. 1:7; 2:1, 5; Col. 2:13) 17x

Draft Version

Romans 5:1-11

¹ Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. ⁶ For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. ¹⁰ For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. ¹¹ And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Commentary
Vs. 1 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ"

If ever there was a Scriptural statement that settles the issue of justification, Romans 5:1 is it. Thus justification (being declared righteous) is not something we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ hope to have one day. It is something already in our possession. Something God imputed to us the moment we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who has made us justified in the sight of God by His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead (Rom 4:23-25). And so our faith in Him is what brings us this justified status and standing before God. The Spirit of God then being God's eternal seal of this within us of this (2 Cor 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13-14). And so again this is not something someone must strive for, (for that is what every religion in the world seeks to do), this is something we already posses, the moment we believed in Jesus Christ, and so we have peace with God. 

Vs. 2 "through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

And so we don't want to lose sight of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For faith in of itself can become a useless and disconnected entity from God unless it's object is the Lord. For it is only through Him that we have access by faith into this grace, in which we stand. Thus we are justified by faith, and we have access too God's grace, by faith (consider Heb. 4:14-16).  And so we rejoice in hope in the glory of God. Rejoicing in hope because we are now justified, and thus we shall not be condemned, yes, but more to the point we "rejoice in hope of the glory of God." That is of not only of seeing our Great God and Savior in all of His Glory, but also of our bearing the resurrected and glorified image of His Risen Son Jesus. And so we in great anticipation wait on that Day when God is glorified in the presence of all His saints (2 Thess. 1:10-12), and is exalted on the earth (Ps. 46:10). Though the manifested and magnified glory of God amongst us, and through us His people does not end there. It will continue on for all eternity in the Kingdom of heaven. And so we wait in longing joyful hope of that Day, when God's glory is not longer concealed from us, but is fully manifested and magnified before us, just as our lowly bodies will then put off all their mortality and weaknesses, and be transformed into glorious immortal bodies, that forever bear the eternal glory of God's Son!

Vs. 3-5 ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

And so just as we rejoice in hope of the glory of God, so we also glory in tribulations. Which might seem a bit of disconnect for some, but it is not, for the too are inevitably linked together. For believing in the Lord Jesus Christ means, by it's very nature, that you will also suffer with Him, and if you suffer with Him, you will also be glorified together with Him (Rom 8:17). Now suffering with Christ means enduring both wrath and rejection from this world, and thus the people of it. That is every believers "destiny" in this life, to various degrees, and various amounts, each and everyone of us will have too (if we remain faithful to the Lord) pass through all sorts of tribulations (consider Matt. 5:10-12; Acts 14:22). Which for some will mean the end of their "faith" (Matt 13:20-21; Heb 6:6 ,also Psalm 101:3). But for us who believe, by God's Spirit, we will overcome. For it is of the Lord Jesus Christ to uphold us and sustain us all who believe in Him (Rev 3:21). And so we rejoice even in this, for just as they persecuted the Lord Jesus Christ, so they will persecute and seek to trouble us (consider John 15:20; 1 Thess. 3:3-4; 2 Thess. 1:4-6; Heb 10:32-29; Rev 1:9 etc.). And so our joy in being justified in the sight of God, and one day being glorified together with Christ, is not the end of our joy, as if having to pass through various kinds of tribulations in this life could end it. For we know we are all appointed too this, and so we can all rejoice in this, in what these kinds of tribulations will produce within us. That is the Apostles point here in verses three to five. That we all know that tribulation produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character hope. Now Louw-Nida defines the word translated *tribulation here as "trouble involving direct suffering" (LN 22.2). In the main it means anything which puts pressure on us, "is burdensome to our spirit" (Vines). And so rather than seeing these things as something that might destroy our faith, the Apostle sees past the temporary tribulations in our lives, to God's Divine purpose in allowing them in our lives, and that is to grow our faith. Hence the Apostle Paul does not see any of these as potentially harming or ruining any of us who believe, rather he rightly sees them as the means by which God builds three greatly needed qualities in our lives; perseverance, character, and hope. As he says, "knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope." vs. 3-4
Does this then mean that all that "troubles our spirit" is directly linked to the will of God for us, of course not. Satan is still in this world making war with all those who have faith in Jesus Christ, and keep God's commandments (Rev 12:17). Not to mention the very real consequences that come from our own foolish choices and actions. And so attributing every distress of life to God, or worse God not caring for us (which is an absurd thought), given all that He has done for us, and continues to do in our lives, is to only to be rather ignorant and quite foolish in ones thinking. For God's ongoing love and care for us does not promise us immunity from any of life's tribulations, and certainly not those that will come with obediently following Jesus Christ (consider Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17). But the Lord does promise us His grace to get through these when we look too and rely on Him (2 Cor. 12:9). Now if the Lord did promise us immunity from tribulations in this life I think that we would all become rather spiritually weak and pathetic people, dependent only on our "ease of life", rather than dependent on God. Which is one of the problems facing the church today, trying to own the Gospel's promises without embracing the fullness of them, that is with every promise of God there is always a condition, and that is both our faith and obedience is required for them to be enacted in our lives. And so Jesus does not promise us "ease of life" if following Him. Indeed He promises us all who believe in Him that in this world we will have tribulations, because like Him, we are not of it. And so just as the world hated Him, so it hates us because He Himself lives in us, and by His Spirit within us His Presence and works and made known and manifested through us to them (John 15:18; 1 John 3:13-15). And so we are to always rejoice in this rejected and hated status of ours (Matt 5:8-10; John 15:20), because Jesus has overcome the world, therefore you can bank on the fact that so will we (John 16:33). Therefore the ease and "security" of life, that everyone in this life seemingly seeks for themselves is not the way to greater faith and spiritual growth. For if you live your life in the vain pursuit of these, then it's not likely you will find God's purposes for your life, nor will you experience the fullness of the life of Christ within you, empowering you to overcome them all (Rev 3:21). And so the Apostle Paul does not see any sort of tribulations in our pursuing the Gospel as the potential "ruin" of any of us who believe in Jesus Christ, rather he sees them all as ultimately serving our own growth, sanctification, and edification, as God walks with us through them all, all which leads us to hope. "Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." vs. 5
Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us, who is the Source and Sustainer of this within us. And so we have hope, because the Lord Jesus Christ has already secured for us our eternal salvation and standing with God. The Holy Spirit being God's seal of this within us (Eph. 4:30). Therefore we have hope, because we shall not be put to shame who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 9:33, 10:11; 1 Peter 2:26).

Vs. 6-8 ⁶ For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

"For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly" And so when we were defeated and powerless, depressed, discouraged and downtrodden. Having no strength to overcome either our sins, or Satan, nor the myriad of tribulations and troubles born out of them, Christ died for us, the ungodly. Not the righteous, not the holy, but the ungodly, of which we all are to various degrees of sin and guilt (consider Matt 9:9-13). It is then a remarkably loving and gloriously kind work of God that Jesus His Holy and Righteous Son would even consider doing this for us, to suffer and die in our place, and in so doing pay the penalty for all of our sins. He could've turned His back on us all and let us all suffer our own eternal fates for all of our sins and transgressions against God. Yet He willfully chose to do this, because He knew if He didn't do this for us, then no-one else would, nor could they (vs. 7). And so Jesus became a Man and suffered death on the cross, so that God could redeem us all who believe in Him from all of our sins and transgressions the moment we believe in Him (Eph. 1:13-14).  And that is how God demonstrates His love towards us all (no-one being excluded) that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (vs. 8).

Vs. 9-11  ⁹ Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. ¹⁰ For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. ¹¹ And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

The Apostle Paul now lays down three foundational truths to each and every believers justification. First is that we have been justified by Christ's blood, which accomplished the required atonement for us all through the suffering and crucifixion death of His Son Jesus Christ which now justifies us in the sight of God. Which also harkens back to verse one. The distinction being here the Apostle indicates the means of our justification, Christ's blood, which is the required atonement for us all (consider Heb 9:22), while in verse one Paul told us how we become justified, by faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore it is only because of Jesus' Christ's shed blood for all our sins and transgressions that we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Wrath here indicating the wrath of God which will fall upon every unbelieving and unrepentant person. And so verse nine is assuring each and every one of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ that we shall be saved from the judgment to come. No believer then should ever fear being condemned is the point (also see Rom 8:1). Now to reaffirm to us our being justified, and thus our unchangeable status before God, the Apostle Paul will now look back for a moment, so that we who believe in Jesus Christ might keep looking forward in joyful faith. And so he says in verse ten: "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." vs. 10
And so even before we ever saw our own need for God, and we were in fact only living as enemies towards God. God through the death of His Son Jesus Christ reconciled us back to Himself. And so if when were separated from God, and only enemies towards God, He reconciled us back to Himself through the death of His Son, how much more than shall we be saved by Christ's life! Which is the second truth we must remember , "we shall be saved by Christ's life." For Christ having Risen from the dead dies no more, therefore all who believe in Him shall likewise die no more. There is then no more death (i.e. separation from God), for everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 11:25-26). For Jesus didn't just suffer death on a cross, He also rose from the dead too vanquish death forever for everyone who believes in Him, who thus now have His life and Spirit within themselves.
And so we shall be saved by Christ's life! A solid and sealed fact. There is then no ambiguity about our salvation and thus our forever and unchanging status and standing with God. For as Christ lives forever so shall we all who believe in Him. And so we rejoice not only in that, "but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation."
And so delighting in God is not something to have and experience only in heaven, but is a current and ongoing reality, for all who believe, who have received His reconciliation for them through His Son Jesus (John 1:12). For having joy in God, truly is a gift from God, of knowing Him, and thus of having His Spirit within us who believe in Him through His Son and so we rejoice in Him! Now if you have not yet opened your heart to Jesus and thus received God's reconciliation for you, why not do that now. For by a simple prayer of faith you too can have the reconciliation that God purchased for you through the death and resurrection of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore by a simple prayer of faith you too can invite Jesus into your heart and life. Simply pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I know that I am a sinner and that I need Your forgiveness, therefore I now invite You into My heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, amen.


Scripture Quotation 
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Word Studies
Vs. 3 *tribulation,  for a deeper discussion of this word, see TDNTA 334 or TDNT 3.139. 
Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.

Kittel, Gerhard, Gerhard Friedrich, and Geoffrey William Bromiley. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1985.

Kittel, Gerhard, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, eds. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–.

Vine, W. E., Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996.