Romans 4:23-5:5

Romans 4:23-5:5 (WEB) Now it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone, but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead, who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification. Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope: and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

🔑 Key Points

1. Written for Our Sake

Abraham's credited righteousness was not recorded as a private miracle. Paul says it was written down for us — for everyone who believes in the God who raised Jesus from the dead. The same crediting that Abraham received is offered to every believer. Sproul emphasizes that Scripture records Abraham's justification as a pattern, not a unique exception.

2. Delivered and Raised

Verse 25 compresses the whole gospel into one sentence: Jesus was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. His death paid for sin; His resurrection sealed our acceptance. Both are necessary — a dead Savior saves no one, and a risen Savior without a substitutionary death leaves our debt unpaid.

3. Peace with God

Chapter 5 opens with the first fruit of justification: peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is not a fragile truce but a settled reconciliation. The war between the sinner and a holy God is over — not because we laid down our weapons, but because Christ bore the hostility in His own body.

4. Access into Grace

Through Christ we have access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. Under the old covenant, access to God was restricted and mediated; now every justified believer stands in grace as his permanent position. We do not visit grace on good days and lose it on bad days — we stand in it.

5. Rejoicing in Tribulation

Paul says we rejoice in hope of the glory of God — and even glory in tribulations, knowing they produce perseverance, character, and hope. Tribulation works patience, patience works character, and character does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

💬 Discussion Questions

Romans 5:1 says we have 'peace with God.' How is the peace of reconciliation different from merely feeling peaceful? Do you live in that settled peace, or do you keep trying to negotiate with God?
Paul's chain runs: tribulation -> perseverance -> character -> hope. Which link in that chain is hardest for you right now, and why?
What does it mean that the Holy Spirit has poured God's love into your heart (Romans 5:5)? How would your daily confidence change if you actually believed that?

📖 The Passage