Romans 5:6–19

Bible Studies for Life
Assistant Professor of Religion, Department of Religion, Samford University

GOD LOVES SINNERS
Romans 5:6–19
In Romans 1:18–3:20, Paul argued that God’s law in the Old Testament does not provide a means of justification. Instead God’s law shows that all human beings are condemned as sinners. Fortunately this is not the last word. Just as all are condemned as sinners, salvation is also made available to all.

“For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:22–24).

The Proof (6–11)
God’s gift of redemption in Christ means that all human beings can now have peace with God (Rom. 5:1). God accomplished this peace in Christ despite human rebellion. As Paul said, “God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (8). God’s initiative in Christ shows God’s favorable disposition toward humanity. Thus humanity’s sinfulness is not an ultimate barrier for God. God overcame it by taking that sin into Himself in the life and death of Jesus Christ. Anyone can participate in this reconciliation by faith in Christ.

God’s offer of reconciliation as a gift by faith in Christ also shows God’s commitment to believers. If God provided salvation for us while we were still sinners, then how much more will God keep us after we profess faith in Christ? If God sought us in Christ in the midst of our rebellion, then God will surely take care of us as believers (10–11). God was not out to get us before we believed, and God is surely not out to get us after we believe. We rejoice in God’s love for us in Christ (11).

The Punishment (12–14)
In particular, Paul wanted to emphasize how God’s abundant grace is now made available through one person, Jesus Christ. He pointed to the relationship between Adam and Jesus. Just as grace comes now through one man, Jesus, so also did sin and death come through one man, Adam. Death has reigned from the beginning after the entrance of sin and before and after the Law. Thus the punishment of sin is death with or without the Law.

The Gift (15–19)
Adam was a type of Christ — Adam foreshadowed the reality to come in Christ (Rom. 5:14). Yet the ultimate reality is greater than its foreshadowing. This is what Paul meant when he said, “But the free gift is not like the trespass” (15).

The dominion of death brought by one person’s sin is now overturned by one person’s righteousness. If Adam’s sin leads to the death of many, then how much more does Christ’s righteousness lead to the justification of many? The graciousness achieved by Christ’s righteousness is greater than the consequences of sin. Put simply, God’s love is greater than our sin.

God’s love means that whatever the very real consequences of sin, including death, God has taken the initiative to triumph over those consequences by taking them into Himself in the life and death of Jesus. Our God has not been distant from us but has come to us. Moreover He has come to us in the lowliest manner. Jesus did not regard His status as God’s Son as something to selfishly guard, but He humbled Himself by becoming human and was obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross (Phil. 2:5–11).

This is the unique message of God’s love in Christ. This is the good news that should motivate every Christian to selfless love, even when such love is very difficult. Let us express that love in our sharing of the gospel. Let us call others to join us as we celebrate God’s love in Christ.

Let us also show that love by doing for others. If God loved us while we were yet sinners, then let us love others regardless of reciprocity. As Paul also said to the Philippians, “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:4–5).