Lord’s Library editors offer this Romans 5:1 meaning and commentary with supporting Scriptures for your edification.
To obtain a Romans 5:1 meaning, see the verse in Scripture: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” As it is written, this verse encapsulates the core of the Gospel of Jesus Christ—justification by grace through faith. It follows the Apostle Paul’s argument in the previous chapters that righteousness cannot be achieved by the works of the law but only through faith in the Blood Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Justification is solely based on the Finished Work of Jesus Christ. The Bible shows this to us in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” In this way we can see that justification means being declared righteous before God, not by one’s own religious deeds but by the righteousness of Christ imputed to us.
See what Paul says in Romans 4:5: “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Abraham was justified in this way, not by works but by faith. See Romans 4:3: “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
Romans 5:1 Meaning
Justification is only made possible because of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. He bore the penalty of sin on the cross so that sinners could be declared righteous before a Holy God amen; see 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Before salvation, man is at enmity with God due to sin according to Colossians 1:21: “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.” This hostility is removed through Christ’s Finished Work, enabling believers to escape hell and enjoy the beauty of heaven for eternity. See also 2 Corinthians 5:18: “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”
As such, salvation is secured by Christ’s Blood alone. See Colossians 1:20: “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”
The phrase “through our Lord Jesus Christ” is paramount because salvation is found only in Him. See what Jesus said in John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” His resurrection secures this justification. See Romans 4:25: “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”
Because of this, believers are enabled to stand in grace and have confidence. See Romans 5:2: “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Salvation by grace through faith is an eternal reality. Jesus Himself said in John 10:28: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
We conclude this resource with Romans 8:1, which speaks for itself: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
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