Bible Truth #274 - Romans 5:1-11

Romans 5:1-11

1  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2  through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

3  And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

4  and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

5  and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6  For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

7  For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.

8  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

10  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

11  And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

This is a passage many believers are familiar with; however, while reading the Bible most will simply scan over this passage without realizing a very important fact. Look how many times God had Paul recite to Tertius (Romans 16:22) the word “we.”

God did not have this letter penned for every person in Rome, He did not have it written for all of humanity. Go back and read Romans 1:7. This letter was written for those who are loved by God and CALLED to be saints. God does not call every man to be saved (1 Corinthians 1:26). It was to Christians that this letter was written. So please let me ask several questions:

- who has peace with God?
- who has obtained grace?
- who stands in grace?
- who exults in hope of the Glory of God?
- who exults in their tribulations?
- the love of God has been poured out within whose hearts?
- to whom was the Holy Spirit given?
- who was helpless when Christ died?
- toward whom did God demonstrate His love?
- for whom did Christ die?
- who will be saved from the wrath of God through Jesus?
- who was reconciled to God through the death of Jesus?
- who will be saved by the Life of Jesus?
- who exults in God through Jesus?
- who has now received reconciliation?

Of course the answer to all these is WE or US depending on the syntax of each sentence or phrase. But the point is, following every we/us/our you can insert “not them/they/their” into the passage. More than anything else, this passage helps prove the Limited Atonement of Christ’s sacrifice. Jesus said He would shed His blood for many, not all (Mark 14:24). Jesus prayed NOT for the world, but for those whom the Father had given Him OUT of the world (John 17:9). Jesus Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, not the world. (Ephesians 5:25)

God saved us, His Elect, according to His Purpose, not because of ANYTHING we did. (2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 3:5)