Family Study Guide for Romans 5

October 6 – October 12, 2005
(Read Romans 5 Online)
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Reflections on Romans 5 by Metty Mesick, Seminary Graduate

Romans chapter 5 begins like an elaborate logic problem. “If x is justified by y, x has z with G through JC, by which x has gained y and access to JC and G, via JC first and thereby G. Therefore, x should T in G.” And that’s only a rendition of verses 1 and 2! Then we move through verses 3-5, and it seems to go from Algebra I to Algebra III. “If x rejoices in A, it’s okay because a=b, b=c, c=t.” Did you get all of that?
There are things in our lives that will always defy logic. Thankfully, God is in control of both the logical and illogical. Romans 5:1-5 offers us a bit of both. To many who do not know Christ, faith in an unseen and unvoiced God is entirely illogical. So to rejoice in sufferings seems crazy, especially if we suggest that our sufferings set in motion another chain reaction that precipitates hope. And in the midst of suffering, it is human nature to attempt to find logical reasons. Instead of coming to the suffering or crisis situation with faith, we many times set into motion an entirely different chain reaction. We begin the “coulda-shoulda-woulda” that spirals into remorse, guilt, and regret. Instead of persevering we become apathetic, instead of building character, we tear ourselves, and others down. And in the midst of our crisis and suffering, we wail and wade in miry despair. Yet Romans 5:1-5 reminds us that if we believe in Jesus Christ, then we have hope in all situations, hope that is both logical and illogical. And that’s because our relationship with God is both logical and illogical.
As Christians, we daily face temptations that could cause us to sin and fall short of the glory of God; but sometimes I think we have an even bigger, less noticeable problem: LOGIC! We live in a logic-based world, but the Bible gives us an illogical framework with which we are to view our logical, daily experiences. As Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” As things happen, our human tendency is to attach logical meanings, and as Christians, we are to attach illogical (to human logic) meanings. When struggle and crisis comes we seem to switch modes from faith to logic; and we can easily be set adrift in questions that defy what we know and believe as Christians.
The bottom line for Romans 5:1-5 is this: with God, events and outcomes can be extremely logical or illogical. With earthly life, events and outcomes can be extremely logical and illogical. As Christians, when confronted with either logical or illogical situations we must first remember God defies all situations because of His Sovereignty. Secondly, we must then continue to have faith that God’s sovereignty will continue to defy all situations both logical and illogical. And that is precisely when hope does not disappoint us. It can only act to strengthen our faith in God’s seen and unseen, logical and illogical, sovereignty in our lives.

Questions to Consider from Romans 5:

• When in your life have you been forced to trust God when life seemed suddenly to defy logic?
• When has an event that you could not understand suddenly made sense long after the event?
• How can we trust God, when we do not understand?

Chapter Outline: (From Jim’s Introduction to Romans)

By faith in God’s promise
c. Righteousness enjoyed (5:1-11)
d. Righteousness contrasted (5:12-21)

Finish the Verses for Romans 3:

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

“Not only // so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given” Romans 5:3-5

“You see, // at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6

“Very // rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:7-8

“Therefore, just // as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—“ Romans 5:12

“For if, // by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17

For just // as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:19

Sample Questions for Studying

Capitalized words are once-used-words

1. The law was ADDED why?
2. Where sin INCREASED, grace INCREASED all the more why?
3. Reference : According to Romans 5:9, we have been justified how?
4. We have peace with God how?
5. When we were still powerless, Christ what?
6. Reference : According to Romans 5:11, we rejoice in what?
7. Perseverance (produces) what?
8. 2 Part : Death reigned how?
9. Reference : According to Romans 5:8, Christ died for whom?
10. Through the disobedience of the one man the many were what?
11. We were RECONCILED to him when?
12. The many were many sinners how?
13. Who has given us (the Holy Spirit)?
14. Grace might reign through righteousness why?
15. We have peace with whom?
16. By the trespass of the one man, death what?
17. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ why?
18. What (produces) hope?
19. Because we know that suffering PRODUCES perseverance, we also what?
20. 2 Part : What overflow to the many?

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