Romans 5:6-11 Bible Teaching

Romans Chapter Five: Understanding Peace and Tribulation

Romans 5:6-11
March 14th, 2021
Welcome. We are in Romans chapter five today.

PRAYER
SONG
SILENCE

Last week we read the first two verses of our study today, which launched us into a short discussion on Reformed Theology. Let’s re-read, because in the context of these verses, Paul is going to reveal some amazing insights to us today.

Verse 6

Romans 5:6 "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
7 "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die."
8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
9 "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
10 "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."
11 "And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."

The Keystone Verse of Romans

Two weeks ago, we read what I believe is a keystone verse of the Book of Romans. In it, Paul ties all the teachings he presented in the first four chapters about “nobody being righteous” and “all needing to be saved by grace through faith” to the result of believing and receiving Him by faith, and he said that we would have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We noted that the peace spoken of in the first five verses is a type that is not found in this world, but rather transcends the peace the world gives, which is transitory and fleeting, and that this peace is unconditional and ever-present, in some degree or another.

Almost as a counterbalance for Paul having written this, the “apostle to the Gentile” moves us right into facing that fact that while those who have been “saved by grace through faith” indeed possess otherworldly PEACE, they also face tribulationA real historical event fulfilled in 70 A.D.—not a future apocalyptic crisis. More. Here Paul introduces us to an almost formulaic process by which Christians grow. Remember what he wrote? He said that those of us who possess this peace then GLORY in tribulations. Why? Because tribulations lead to patience, and patience to experience (or the tempering of soul), and this tempering leads to HOPE (or the expectation of God and His promises being fulfilled).

The Growth of Hope

This brings us to verse 6 of chapter five, where Paul continues to add “dimension” to the saving work of Christ in our lives, which indirectly undergirds our Hope in the promises of God. He says (verse six):

Romans 5:6 "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."

Before we get into this passage, I think Paul is opening us to another aspect of the Good News here that gives us yet another reason to know that our hope will not disappoint us or make us ashamed. What he does might be likened to the growth of a good stock charted out over the course of a fifty-year period. A good growth stock over time will climb, then fall, climb, then fall. When we observe the growth on a chart over the long haul, the falls start to only drop to a certain level, with the advances built upon or bouncing off the former declines. This is what Paul is sort of doing here. He is building upon what he has already shared, increasing our understanding and faith, trust, and hope in our glorious God through Christ in the midst of tribulations.

God’s Amazing Love

So again, he lays out an inspiring fact that illustrates God’s amazing love for us. And this is what he says:

Romans 5:6 "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."

I would suggest that this is the point Paul is making: God, who loved us so much that He sent His Son to save us at a time when we all were sinners and sinful, and if He would do this then, Paul seems to be saying, He would certainly not fail us now that we have been reconciled to Him by His blood.

The Assurance of Salvation and God's Timing

The shed blood of His Son through faith.

In other words, since God saved us by performing the reconciliation work for us when we hated Him, and were in opposition to Him, and sinful, isn’t it obvious that He will be wholly faithful in bringing us forward and complete in what he had begun (now that we have changed in our hearts and become His children?) And as a result of this, is not our HOPE magnificently increased?

Now where it says, “In due time,” it means “according to the time,” or “in the proper time” “Christ died for the ungodly.” Galatians 4:4 reaffirms this point, speaking of Yeshua and saying "But when the fullness of time was come."

The Perfect Timing

In other words, Adam’s free will failed, the Nation of Israel failed under the Law. And the Gentiles world failed with the Law written on their consciences. Of course, the ages of Reason through Greek and Romans intellectualism failed too. So, when it was proven that we were far too ill to save ourselves, “in due time, Christ came and died for the ungodly.”

This supports the idea that He died for the ungodly today (back then too). And this was the perfect time, as it had been appointed by God prior to the foundations of the world and was fixed. Old Testament prophets testified of it, culture and society were ready for it physically with the world was at relative peace (during what was known as the Pax Romana) with the so-called civilized world being equipped with roads and such to have the Good News spread throughout.

Paul continues in verse seven, saying:

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

The Jews divided men into four classes of goodness. I’m not going to try and explain them because of time (and quite frankly the confusion of the subject) but a righteous man was one who had an attitude of “I will take care of myself and you take care of yourself.” So, Paul says, “It is a rare thing for someone to give their life for a righteous man” then he says, “Yet peradventure,” (meaning, and it would even be more of a rarity) for someone to die for a good man.”

True Love and Sacrifice

The ‘Good man type” Paul is referring to here is a man whose has an attitude in Hebrew culture of “what’s mine is yours.” The point he is making is very rarely will anyone die for very good man and almost never would someone die for a regular old fellow. The world is too overtly selfish. If this is the case, the point is how very rare it would be that anyone would die for someone who hated them?

That is true agape loveSelfless love marked by patience, mercy, and humility—central to living in spiritual liberty., right? But he tells us who would die such a death at (verse 8) saying:

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

But God . . . (compared to the self-centered world of Man) “But God commendeth (or exhibited or showed) his love for us “while we were yet sinners.” While we were His enemies. It really comes full circle for us here? I mean God exhibited His love for the world that while we were hateful toward Him and His Law, and loved the dark more than the light, while we were His enemies, He gave His very life for this world. He did it through His Son – which clearly shows that God was in Jesus of Nazareth.

Of course, as His disciples having received and understood this, Jesus then tells those who are His to exhibit the same love even to their enemies in the same way . . . and this is passed on to us; that now that we have received His unconditioned love in our hearts, love others unconditionally.

Amazing! Verse 9 Paul adds

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

This passage a passage that, in my estimation, was especially written to them/then because the wrath of God was coming to be poured out upon them, as prophesied and promised, but all who were justified by His shed blood through faith had the promise that they would be spared. So, Jesus paid the punishment for all sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. on the cross but the wrath of God, at this point, had yet to be poured out.

The Age of Fulfillment and Reconciliation

I reject that this passage has application to us today in the age of fulfillment as I fully reject the teaching that God is still wrathful toward us. Paul continues with, in my estimation, one of the most impressive passages, saying:

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

First of all, this verse is essentially repeating what he said in verse nine. “If we were reconciled when we were enemies how much more shall we be saved by His life.” I used to think (and sort of still cannot help but think) that this passage referred to the imputation of the righteousness of Jesus to all who believed. And I really want to believe this because teaching about the imputation of Christ righteousness into those who receive Him by faith is so satisfying. However, the best CONTEXTUAL understanding of this verse is this:

“Rarely would anyone save the life of a Good man but God saved us wretched men, while we were still wretched, through the death of His Son.” Then: “And if we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, how much MORE can we trust in Him and His promises through the life of Jesus who overcame the grave.”

Jesus' Intercession

And this contextually appears to be saying that in and through the living Christ making intercession for us we can trust even more than in the saving blood of the dead Christ. Hebrews 7:25, speaking of Jesus, says:

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Jesus Himself said John 14:19, “Because I live, ye shall live also.”

So here, while the temptation is to think that Paul is speaking of the imputation of Christ’s RIGHTEOUSNESS that was garnered through a perfectly lived life to those who believe, it seems that this latter interpretation is the better approach and to see this passage as saying, “if we were saved through His death much more will we be saved through the fact that He lives.” And this leads us to the discussion of Jesus making intercession for us before the Father, which is certainly a biblical tenant but also of a limited duration as scripture plainly says that he would only do this until he returned for His bride, then He too would step from the side of the father so that God would be all in all – an event I believe has occurred.

Justification and Joy

Paul adds in verse 11:

11 “And not only so,” (NOT ONLY the fact that we were saved by His death, and have Hope in and through His life) “but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” And here, building, building, building on each premise, states yet another effect of our justification – joy or “rejoicing in God.”

In verse one of this chapter he says we have “peace with God through Jesus Christ,” and here he adds another benefit, joy. “kow-khah'-om-ahee” You wanna know what the word “joy” really means in scripture? It means to “boast,” and in the positive sense it means to “rejoice boastfully in Christ,” to boast in His power and love and life, which is to be joyful in the love of God toward us. I can’t help but recall a verse from a Christian song called, How Deep the Fathers Love for Us,” which says:

I will not boast in anything No gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection.

We glory, rejoice, boast – have JOY – “in God through Jesus Christ our Lord,” Paul writes, “by whom we have now received the atonement.”

The propitiation. The reconciliation. Or as the King James put it, the atonement.

Interestingly, this is the only instance in which the translators use the word “atonement” in all of the the New Testament. It is a word that is used 81 times in the Old Testament, but this is the only time it is used in the New. Why? To be frank, it’s a poor choice of words. The reason being is the word here does not mean the noun “atonement” but the adverb, which means the “completed reconciliation,” not the thing of reconciliation. In other words, atonement means the reconciliation itself between God and man; not the means by which reconciliation accomplishes reconciliation.

Reconciliation and Boasting in Christ

…that there is a means of reconciliation BUT that in fact we have been reconciled through him, and in this, there is a glorious change from enmity, anger or hatred to friendship. The result, Paul adds, is our ability to exult, rejoice, boast or glory in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have “received the reconciliation."

Listen, though boasting is forbidden to a Jew (because that would be a false confidence) boasting is encouraged and promoted to a Christian because we have been reconciled to God by virtue of the mercy extended to us. But for Christians, those that glorieth (boast, rejoice) must glory (boast) in the Lord.

This is a subtle, but ever-present difference that I see between people who are religiously inclined and people who are relationally inclined to Jesus Christ and His salvivic work. When I came out of Mormonism I was ashamed to even use the name Jesus. I was ashamed to say that name in the presence of others because I found it sort of… embarrassing. So, I would say, “the Lord,” or “the Savior,” but not the term Jesus. I suppose that as I was immersed in a culture that used Jesus in conversation (Calvary Chapel) I began to see the beauty of not the name but what and who was behind that name who saved me from sin and death.

Listening to Conversations

God is constantly drawing us toward Him, to knowing Him, to relating to Him more intimately on a daily basis, and in time His Spirit will work on us to drop the barriers that we put up between us in our relationship with Him. You will notice that whatever a faith is based on theologically from the mouth of its founder, that is what its people and members will talk about, boast in, rejoice over.

Taking almost 1500 flights over fourteen years between SLC and Long Beach CA, which was coined the Disney flight, I sat for 2200 hours – 2200 hours – listening to strangers around me talk. And that was just flight time. You can add another 1500 hours to that for waiting at the gate. 3700 hours over 14 years listening to people around me. And I am an avid listener – I listen carefully to what is being said around me – far more than what is being done – especially when I am alone.

The Focus of Conversations

I would guess that 90 – 95% of those conversations were from the mouths of LDS people – individuals, families and strangers talking to each other, pouring out the contents of their heart of hearts with each other. 95% of 3700 hours is 3500 hours of eavesdropping in on conversations LDS people were having with each other and with other strangers about life – in many cases of them expressing the contents of their minds and hearts.

That is like having a 40-hour a week job for nearly two years where all I did was listen to people from a specific faith system speak the contents of their minds and hearts. And what did I hear? Boasting, glorying, talking about Jesus? NEVER. EVER. NOT ONCE!

I don’t believe His name was used more than a handful of times and it was always a referential story about the man and never a personal pronouncement of devotion. The name Jesus Christ? Perhaps a dozen or so times. The Savior? Or the Lord, Maybe a hundred times for Savior and a couple of hundred times for the Lord. Those mentions represent maybe ½ of 1% of the total time I spent listening to people speak their hearts without them knowing it.

What made up 99.9% of their “joy, boasting, glorying and speech?” Number one, the church. Which was spoken of like it was God Himself. The church. The church. The church. The inanimate institution. The brethren. The relief society. The Young Men. The prophet. The priesthood. The Young Women. Ward and stake callings (callings were huge). Missions, sealings, activities run amok. Temple attendance and the prophet – very big – the prophet, and the brethren. THAT was what was primarily on their hearts. I am witness to it. And I can say this because Jesus said to the Pharisees in Matthew 12:34:

“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

Then the next biggest topic among them was family, what their children or grandchildren…

Observations on Conversations among Believers

The conversations among members of the faith I observed often revolved around various topics such as their educations, jobs, callings, and marriages. When sports came up, it was typically about BYU or the UofU. Family vacations, positions in the workforce, money, and the acquisition of real property were also frequent subjects. Among men, discussions about money-making were common, while women often talked about the ward.

Common Discussed Topics

Occasionally, when two adults of the faith were together without children, a topical subject would arise. However, men generally avoided discussing anything beyond ancillary topics like work, sports, or kids. On the other hand, adult women, whether strangers, family, or friends, frequently talked about children, the word of wisdom, modesty, fears, concerns, and sometimes even views not supported by LDS leadership, such as garment wearing, temple marriage, and homosexuality.

The word of wisdom was a major topic, and I never heard anyone express dissent regarding it. No one ever admitted to thinking that a cup of coffee or a glass of wine was okay. Those who professed the faith, and even some who were less active, strictly adhered to what went into the mouth. It was ironic to me, as Jesus taught:

Biblical References

Matthew 15:17-18 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

The conversations often touched upon upcoming vacations, focusing on hotels, rented houses, favorite places at Disneyland, and much boasting about places visited in years past. There was gossip, usually between women, often framed as loving concern. "Heavenly Father" was occasionally mentioned, mostly by women, accounting for 5 to 10% of the conversations.

Understanding the Language and Communication

I believe God granted me the opportunity to earn an unaccredited PH.D in the language and communications of LDS people. However, what was profoundly revealing were the instances God sprinkled devout believers from various denominations around me. Families of Christians, couples traveling together, and people visiting or leaving family in Utah unmistakably expressed Jesus in their conversations. He wasn't just mentioned; Jesus was the foundation, the reference point, and the focus for their trust, boasting, and joy.

If people who claimed to be believers and followers of Jesus didn't speak of Him, I couldn't always tell, but when some did, Jesus was the foundation.

Matthew 12:35-37 may still have relevance for us:

Matthew 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Though what we read in Romans applies to them/then, the principle might still apply. Our words reveal the heart's contents and are a valuable tool for self-examination, indicating where our hearts truly lie.

Understand, I am in NO way suggesting altering one's speech just to "appear dedicated or…

The Essence of True Boasting in Faith

In our exploration of faith, it is crucial to confront the sincerity with which we speak of our belief in Jesus. The insincerity of merely conforming to societal expectations is potentially more harmful than being openly disinterested in Jesus altogether. Aligning our words to fit into cultural norms is not the goal here. In fact, as Jesus clarified in Matthew 7:21:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

Thus, the focus remains on speaking from the heart with truth and reflecting Jesus in our speech, making the will of the Father a priority.

Boasting in the Lord

Paul, in his teachings, emphasizes the importance of joy and boasting in the Lord through Jesus Christ. He mentions that through Christ, we have received atonement, and this sentiment is echoed in 1 Corinthians 1:31, where Paul, quoting Jeremiah 9:24, urges:

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

This boasting is not in oneself, the church, religion, worldly standards, or strength but in Jesus Christ, thereby honoring God who sent Him. Indeed, God's glory often manifests in our weaknesses. Scripture underscores this, revealing that not many believers were wise or influential by human measures. Instead, God often chooses the foolish and weak to confound the wise and strong.

1 Corinthians 1:26-30 further elucidates this perspective, where Paul explains that any goodness in our lives stems from God. We are weak, foolish, lowly, and despised, so any glory belongs solely to God. Isaiah 42:8 reinforces this by declaring:

I am YE-HOV-AH (YHWH) that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Understanding True Boasting

Authentic boasting involves celebrating YHWH's attributes, His actions for us, and His promises. Jeremiah 9:23-24 provides clarity on what constitutes real boasting:

“Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight,’ declares the LORD.”

Personal Journey and Reflection

On a personal note, the understanding of how we address God and Jesus in our lives is significant. My journey from Mormonism included calling God “Heavenly Father” and Jesus the “Lord” or “Savior.” At Calvary Chapel, while initially hesitant to use the names “Jesus” and “God,” my perspective gradually shifted towards personal clarity. This process led me to recognize God's personal name as YHWH or Yehovah, distinct from the title Elohim. Thoughts about Jesus as a “complete fiction” have also evolved, reflecting a transformative personal journey in understanding faith and doctrine. As such, contemplate this perspective with your maker, if you find it relevant and guided by the Spirit.

Understanding the Title "The Lord God Almighty"

The Hebrew title—HaMashiach—means, “The Anointed One” and is therefore conferred on YESHUA by Yehovah Himself. People use the English word “Messiah” (and the Greek “Christos”) which too mean, “The Anointed One” in the same way that “HaMa-shiah” in Hebrew does. But once again, speaking their true names can be embarrassing and unconventional and even appear to be attempts of having special insights, or as being separatist or divisionary.

Paul said that he “becomes all things to all men so that he might save some,” and so I believe that the common language is acceptable to God and probably most readily understood and received. But personally, in my own walk, I want to walk as close to the reality of Him as I can, and so in my personal communications with Yehovah through Yeshua Hamashiah, I started to use these terms both privately and in our translation of the Apostolic Record.

Revelation and the One on the Throne

One last amazing thing having said this. In the preparation of the book of RevelationA symbolic prophecy fulfilled in 70 A.D.—not a prediction of future global events. (which is being prepared for print as we speak) I came upon an amazing fact. Once Jesus returns to earth and takes His bride up from certain destruction, John the Revelator looks into the heavenly scene. And what does He see?

1. One throne, with One being on that throne. That being has hands, holds things with it, and a body. But there is only one. And John reveals His name to us in that Revelation, calling Him The Lord God Almighty.

2. There is a lamb present too, which represents the man Jesus incarnate, but the One on the Throne is singular, in a glorified body, and is referred to by a title that is NEVER used ANYWHERE else in the entire Bible – The Lord God Almighty.

The Significance of "The Lord God Almighty"

Here is the amazing thing about this name, as it is assigned to the One sitting on the One throne in a glorified body. In the Old Testament Yehovah is called, God Almighty several times – but never Lord God Almighty. In the Apostolic Record Yeshua is referred to as the Lord Almighty – but never the Lord God Almighty. But once He overcame death, received His glorified resurrected body, returned with judgment and reward, took His bride, left the right hand of the Father (so that God may be all in all) it seems that the actual name of the One God is no longer YHWY, is no longer Yeshua Hamashiah, but is instead, now THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, fully-housed and present in the One sitting in the glorified body of the resurrected Lord Yeshua on the One Throne of Yehovah. This is a final name ONLY used in the Book of Revelation, that speaks of Yehovah, and that speaks to Yeshua, and now speaks to one being who is all in all. Whatever names you choose to call them, let all of your boasting be only in Him.

Comments/Questions/Prayer

Tawni Michael Lake