Romans 5:1-5

The Fruits of Justifying Faith.

Romans 5:1 a. Since then we have been justified, etc., recapitulates Romans 3:22 to Romans 4:25. The apodosis (according to the best-attested reading, RV) is hortatory: Let us abide in peace with God, etc.; the Greek tense implies a continued state, as in Acts 9:31 (RV). The qualifying clause, through whom indeed we have got our introduction, etc., warrants a steady peace with God: led by Christ's hand into the Father's grace, we should lay aside misgiving.

Romans 5:2 b - Romans 5:5. The hope of the glory of God raises peace to exultation. Christian joy is even enhanced by trouble: endurance, proof, hope form a chain linking tribulation to the love of God (cf. Php_4:11-13; also 1 Peter 1:6 f., James 1:2 apparently echoed here). Our hope of beholding the glory of God does not shame us, like self-relying hopes; its fruition is guaranteed by the love of God poured out within our hearts, through the Holy Spirit who was given us. God's love, implied in His name of Father (Romans 1:7, etc.), is embraced in Paul's wide conception of God's righteousness (Romans 1:17,* etc.); poured out speaks of its lavishness (cf. Ephesians 2:4; Ephesians 2:7); the heart, of its inward apprehension. Ch. 8 is the expansion of Romans 5:5 b.