Romans 5
"While we were still sinners"
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What does it say?
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The whole chapter, in shortThe main points of the whole chapter, in a few sentences.
Paul says that since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through Jesus. Suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope, and that hope does not disappoint because God has poured his love into our hearts. God proves his love in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Sin and death came through one man, Adam, but grace and life came through one man, Jesus, and where sin increased, grace increased all the more.
Where it is in the Bible: Romans 5
All the sections at a glanceA map of the chapter, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Letter
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Peace With God | 5:1-2 | Justified by faith, we have peace |
| 2. Suffering to Hope | 5:3-5 | Suffering can grow hope |
| 3. While We Were Still Sinners | 5:6-11 | Christ died for the ungodly |
| 4. Adam and Christ | 5:12-21 | Where sin increased, grace increased more |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Rome around AD 57.
What came before. Paul showed that God makes people right with him through faith, just as he did with Abraham (4:3). Jesus "was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification" (4:25).
What this chapter is. What being made right with God means for our lives: peace, hope, and love. Then Paul compares Adam and Christ.
A word to know. "Justified" means declared right with God.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4Peace With God
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (5:1).
Peace with God means the war is over. We are no longer God's enemies.
Through Jesus, we stand in God's grace, and we rejoice in hope.
Section 2 of 4Suffering to Hope
Paul says something surprising. "We also rejoice in our sufferings" (5:3).
Not because suffering is good. Because of what God grows through it.
"Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" (5:3-4). Perseverance means not giving up.
"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (5:5).
Section 3 of 4While We Were Still Sinners
"For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly" (5:6).
People rarely die for a good person.
"But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (5:8).
Jesus didn't wait for us to get better. He died for us at our worst.
If God loved us when we were his enemies, how much more will he save us now that we are his friends!
Section 4 of 4Adam and Christ
Sin entered the world through one man, Adam. Death came with it, and spread to everyone.
But Jesus is greater.
"But the gift is not like the trespass" (5:15). Adam's sin brought death. Christ's gift brings much more: grace and life.
"For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous" (5:19).
"But where sin increased, grace increased all the more" (5:20).
Grace is always bigger than sin.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "We have peace with God" (5:1) | Through Jesus, the war between us and God is over. |
| "Suffering produces perseverance" (5:3) | God can grow strength in hard times. |
| "Hope does not disappoint us" (5:5) | God's love is real. Our hope in him isn't wasted. |
| "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (5:8) | God loved us before we changed. |
| "The gift is not like the trespass" (5:15) | Christ's gift is far greater than Adam's sin. |
| "Grace increased all the more" (5:20) | No sin is bigger than God's grace. |
Back Then
Adam's story is in Genesis 3. He and Eve disobeyed God, and death entered the world.
Paul calls Adam "a pattern of the One to come" (5:14). Adam affected everyone. So does Christ, for good.
Romans was written to a church of Jews and non-Jews. Paul shows that everyone is in the same place before God: sinners, saved by grace.
Literal Reader Alert
Should I be happy when I suffer? Paul doesn't say suffering feels good. He says we can rejoice because God brings hope out of it. It's okay to be sad. If suffering is too much, talk to someone you trust.
If grace is bigger than sin, should I sin more? Paul answers that in the next chapter: "Certainly not!" (6:2). Grace sets us free from sin, not free to sin.
Is everyone guilty because of Adam? Paul says sin and death spread to everyone. And he says Christ's gift spreads even further.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Believers | At peace | They have peace with God (5:1) |
| Believers | Hopeful | Hope doesn't disappoint (5:5) |
| Believers | Loved | Christ died for them while they were sinners (5:8) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Which promise do you need? Tap one.
Peace with God
Through Jesus, the war is over.
I'm suffering
God can grow hope from it. You're not alone.
I'm not good enough
Christ died for you while you were still a sinner.
I've messed up
Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.
You Might Have Heard
"Clean up your life first, then God will love you."
What's true: God wants to change our lives.
What the passage is mainly about: "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (5:8). God loved us first, at our worst. Change comes after, as his gift.
Where Jesus is: Dying for the ungodly at just the right time, the one man whose obedience makes many righteous.
Good News
God didn't wait for us to be good.
"But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (5:8).
Through Jesus, we have peace with God. His love is poured into our hearts. And where sin increased, grace increased even more.
Justified by faith, we have peace with God. Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and God's grace is greater than all our sin.
Big Idea
Justified by faith, we have peace with God. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us, and where sin increased, grace increased all the more.
If this chapter brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that Christians are at the same time saints and sinners. We still sin, but in Christ we are declared righteous, and grace is always greater than our sin.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads Romans 5:12-19 on the First Sunday in Lent, Romans 5:1-11 on the Third Sunday in Lent, and Romans 5:1-8 in June (Lectionary 11). In Year C, it reads Romans 5:1-5 on Holy Trinity Sunday.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- First Sunday in Lent Year ASecond reading, Romans 5:12-19
- Third Sunday in Lent Year ASecond reading, Romans 5:1-11
- The Holy Trinity Year CSecond reading, Romans 5:1-5
- Lectionary 11 Year ASecond reading, Romans 5:1-8
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Romans 5, explained in plain words. Peace with God, hope that doesn't disappoint, and a love that came while we were still sinners. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/romans-5/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church