By Adam Winn, Ph. D.
Chair and Professor, Department of Biblical and Religious Studies at Samford University
THE GREATEST GIFT
Romans 5:6–11, 18–21
We receive the gift of God’s love, which is demonstrated by the death of Christ. (6–8)
This text picks up after Paul has discussed the benefits of God’s justification through Christ, which include peace with God and hope of one day sharing in the glory of God (v. 2). But in verse 6, Paul changes direction. He opens by declaring that even while we were weak, Christ died for the ungodly.
Paul emphasizes that humanity is out of line with God’s desire for it and is living according to its own will rather than His, a way of living that results in human frailty and ultimate death.
Yet despite our rebellion, Christ died for us. Paul notes how shocking this is, saying that dying for a righteous person is rare. But God does what no human would do. He sends His Son to die for the wicked, the rebellious, the sinner. Paul is emphasizing the radical nature of God’s love for His lost and broken creation — you and me.
We have the gift of reconciliation in Christ. (9–11)
However, Paul is not simply trying to make a point about how radical God’s love is. He appears to be addressing a concern that existed among his audience that can only be understood by articulating aspects of salvation Paul discusses.
The first aspect is justification, which in many ways refers to the starting point of salvation, including becoming part of God’s people, the forgiveness of one’s sins, the gift of God’s indwelling Spirit and peace with God (reconciliation).
The second aspect is glorification, referred to in verse 2. Glorification refers to the end goal of salvation, namely living as righteous, resurrected followers of God in a new creation. The question Paul is addressing is this: As God’s justified people, how can we be confident that we will also make it to the state of being His glorified people? They are likely asking this because of the experience of Israel.
They too were God’s people but at this time, the majority of them had rejected God’s Messiah. How can God’s people in Christ have confidence in a better future?
To answer this question, Paul builds on verses 6–8. If while we were sinners God sent his Son to die for us, he asks, how much more now that we are justified by the death of Jesus will we be saved from the wrath of God? Here, “wrath” is likely related to God’s final process of bringing about the new creation, a process that must involve removing all wickedness.
Paul is saying that because we are justified by Christ’s death and have peace with God, we will not be recipients of this removal but instead will participate in the glorious new creation.
Paul then asserts that you who are justified in Christ can have complete confidence that you will also reach glorification in the new creation. God’s radical love for us while we were still sinners is Paul’s proof.
We have the gift of eternal life through Christ. (18–21)
In these verses — which are more complex than can be fully discussed here — Paul makes clear what Christ has brought about through His death and resurrection, particularly in contrast to the reality brought about through the disobedience of Adam.
Whereas Adam’s sin made many sinners and led to their condemnation, Jesus’ obedience and righteousness led to the justification of many. And as Paul argued above, it will lead to their glorification and eternal life.
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