Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access [by faith] to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, 4 and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6 For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. 10 Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Paul assures the Romans that once justified, sanctifying grace reconciles Christians to God and they experience a peace that distressing troubles cannot upset, hope that does not disappoint, and confidence in salvation. Christians live in the hope of eternal glorification through the salvation of the Gospel. Initial salvation can be understood as justification, sanctification, sanctifying grace, or reconciliation with God. Final salvation is our eternal glorification where we have eternal life and everlasting happiness in God/s presence.
The first fruit (Rom. 8:23) of our justification is peace with God obtained through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:13-18). It is Christ who does the work and through him, Christians can rejoice in the hope of the glory that is to come (1 Thess. 4:13-14). The goal of this hope is our final salvation (Titus 1:2). Christian hope is strengthened in times of tribulation so they can boast of their afflictions (2 Cor. 4:16-18). Affliction produces endurance and the tested virtue of confident hope in the promises of Christ because God’s love for us was poured into our hearts through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
At the appointed time in accordance with the Father’s plan, Christ died for our salvation while we were still sinners (1 Jn. 4:10) a righteous man for ungodly souls (Gal. 4:4-5). While we were still sinners God showered us with the grace of initial salvation proving His love for us, a love that cannot be repaid. Justification was achieved for mankind through the resurrection of Christ. If God was so magnanimous when we were sinners, now that we have been reconciled through the blood of Christ, we can rejoice even more in God’s love for us and boast that He will grant us the gift of salvation.
Almighty and loving God, through the sacrifice of your Son your spirit abides in the hearts of those who have accepted Jesus by faith. Grant that we who have been justified by his blood may by your grace become lights to those searching for you. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Comments