Crucifixion and Resurrection 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. [Now that we are united to Christ in faith, we participate in his death and die to our old life, and we receive a new life, which is nothing less than participating in Christ’s resurrection life.] 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him [this is a past event as we are reckoned as having been crucified with Jesus w

Dead to Sin, Alive to God 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? [Those who sin so that grace can abound are referred to as “antinomians.” The word comes from the Greek “anti” (against) and “nomos” (law), and refers to the doctrine that it is not necessary for Christians to preach and/or obey the moral law of the Old Testament. These are people who believe that as Christians they are freed from the moral law by virtue of grace. One such exa

The Cosmic Christ Grace and Peace in Christ 18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. [When one man fails in the accomplishment of God’s purposes—as all sinful people do—God raises up another to take his place: Joshua replaced Moses, David replaced Saul, Elisha replaced Elijah, Mathias replaced Judas. But who could replace Adam? Only the one who could undo the effects of Adam’s fall

Death in Adam, Life in Christ Continued 15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ [the new Adam] abounded for many. [See 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45-49: “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall be made alive. . . Thus it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not

Death in Adam, Life in Christ [John Donne wrote the following, which seems appropriate to what Paul describes of us being in Adam and also in Christ: “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore nev

6 For while we were still weak [meaning lack of moral strength], at the right time Christ died for the ungodly [all of us]. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [At its best, human love will motivate one to give his life for a truly good person. Jesus, sent by God, did not die for truly good people but for rebellio

Peace with God Through Faith [In this next section, Paul invites us to join him in celebrating the excellent benefits given to the justified believer.] 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith [which is a summation of the central teaching of chapters 1-4], we have peace [the well-being, prosperity, and salvation of godly people] with God [peace characterizes our outward relationship with God; it is not that we feel good inside, e.g., “I’m at peace with the world tod

The Promise Realized Through Faith [Paul introduces another idea regarding faith and law] 13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law [given 430 years later] but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void [because the law came after Abraham]. 15 For [what] the law [does is that it] brings wrath [and cannot secure

Father Abraham [In Romans 4 Paul appeals to Abraham ( in Genesis 15:6, “Abraham believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness”) to support his insistence that righteousness can be attained only through faith.] Abraham Justified by Faith 1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? [A rhetorical question used to introduce the next stage of Paul’s argument in justification. The Jews of the day used Abraham as an example

Martin Luther The Righteousness of God Through Faith Continued 27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. [Faith alone saves us, not our works.] 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised t