Romans 5:10 - Christ's Death and Life in Salvation.
Romans 5:10 - Christ's Death and Life in Salvation.
Romans 5:10 (NKJV) For if when 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.
Romans 5:10 (NIV) For if, when we were God's enemies, we were
reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been
reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Romans 5:10 (TLB) And since, when we were his enemies, we were
brought back to God by the death of his Son, what blessings he must have
for us now that we are his friends and he is living within us!
WORD STUDY
God's enemies. Humans are enemies of God, not the reverse. Thus
the hostility must be removed from humans if reconciliation is to be
accomplished. God took the initiative in bringing this about through the death
of his Son. [NIV SB 2008]
Reconciled. The word means primarily "to exchange," and hence to
change the relation of hostile parties into a relation of peace. It may
be used of both mutual and one-sided enmity, and the context must
determine which is intended. Sin had alienated man from God, and his heart
was at war with the principles of God's law (Romans 1:18 to 3:20;
8:7). However, God gave His Son that sinful and rebellious man might
be reconciled (John 3:16). [SDA Bible Commentary]
By his life. Literally, "in his life." This may be understood to
mean that we are saved by personal union with the living Saviour, who
ever liveth to make intercession for us (Heb. 7:25; cf. Rom. 4:25).
Jesus said, "Because I live, ye shall live also" (John 14:19; cf. Rom.
8:11; Gal. 2:20). If the death of Christ had such saving power in
effecting our reconciliation, how much more will His risen life have power
to bring our salvation to joyous fulfillment. [SDA Bible
Commentary]
CONTEXT
In chapter 4, Paul went back to Abraham and David to explain
how God declares believing sinners righteous; now he goes all the
way back to Adam. Adam's sin passed sin and death on to the whole
human race, but Christ's obedience gives righteousness and life to all
who trust Him. In our first birth, we became condemned children of
Adam; but in our second birth, we are the forgiven children of God.
Note the blessings of justification.
Riches (1-5). Peace, access into God's grace, joy, hope, love,
the Holy Spirit--what riches we have in Christ! And trials work for
us, not against us, and develop Christian character. How rich we
are!
Reconciliation (6-11). We are at peace with God and need not
be afraid. If He did so much for us when we were enemies, think
what He will do for us now that we are His children!
Reigning (12-21). When we belonged to the old creation under
Adam, death and sin reigned; now that we are in Christ in the new
creation (2 Cor. 5:17), grace is reigning, and we are reigning in life
(v. 17). You can live like a king by the grace of God! [Chapter by
Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re Rom. 5]
Romans 5:1-11: Being Right With God Brings Peace, Joy, Hope and
So Much More.
APPLICATION COMMENTARY With Emphasis On Verse 10:
The love that caused Christ to die is the same love that sends
the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us every day. The power that
raised Christ from the dead is the same power that saved you and is
available to you in your daily life. Be assured that, having begun a life
with Christ, you have a reserve of power and love to call on each day
for help to meet every challenge or trial. You can pray for God's
power and love as you need it. [Life Application SB]
There's an old riddle that says: What direction did the polar
bear look when he turned his head to the right? To the left? And when
he looked straight ahead? The answer in each case is south. He was
standing on the North Pole. It's something like this with a term we find
in Romans 5:1-11. What does a Christian see if he looks back? If he
looks ahead? If he looks around? Reconciliation! Looking back, we
realize that the death of Jesus has changed our condition and our heart.
We have been reconciled to God, and He has transformed us from
enemy to friend (v. 10). Looking ahead we see an endless future in
which Christ stands by our side, till ultimately we stand by His
throughout eternity (v. 9). Looking around us, we find that we experience
joy in serving Jesus. We have a "now" experience of reconciliation
as well. Even the word "saved" is like this. Look back: you have
been saved. Look ahead: you will be saved. Look around: you are being
saved. Jesus is even now at work within to give you the power to live a
holy life. Our past, our present, and our future are all transformed
because of Him. Wherever we look, everything is bright and new, and
completely different, because of Jesus Christ, God's Son. [The 365-Day
Devotional Commentary re Rom. 5:1-11]
This passage reminds us that our reason to rejoice is not only
that our future salvation is assured, that we've been delivered from
eternal punishment, or that Christ died for us while we were still his
enemies. Certainly that would be reason enough! But we also rejoice
because in the present, right here on earth in the midst of where we
are--today, tomorrow, and all the days we are alive --we can enjoy a
wonderful new relationship with our heavenly Father. This is not a distant
relationship but a close, intimate one. We are blessed with this intimacy
because the finished work of Christ removed every barrier standing
between the Lord and us and restored our relationship so that we could
be friends of God. We did nothing to accomplish this; we receive it
because of what Christ did. Think of it--friends of the Almighty! If
nothing else is going well today, we still have great reason to
rejoice.
I rejoice in my relationship with you, Father--all because of
what Jesus Christ has done for me. Having an intimate relationship
with Jesus, the friend of sinners, allows me to have an eternal
perspective about everything else that happens to me today. I praise you for
the joy such a friendship brings. [Praying Through The Bible By
Fuller]
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Grace Notes:
http://www.e-gracenotes.org/index.php
A Better Way to Live:
http://www.itiswritten.com/betterway/
Excellent Spiritual Resource Site:
http://www.christianlifemediacenter.com/
More Spiritual Resources:
http://www.aBible.com
