Romans 5:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

NIV: For if, while 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!

NASB: 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.

CSB: For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.

NLT: For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.

KJV: 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.

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.

This verse very closely follows the pattern of the previous verse, but it also contains key changes. Verse 9 emphasized the legal standing of those who trust in Christ: We have been justified, and we will not experience God's judgment. Put another way, we have been declared "not guilty," and we will not be condemned. This is important to understand, since earlier passages made it clear that we are not, in actual fact, righteous people (Romans 3:10, 23). The point of salvation by grace through faith is that we are forgiven, and declared righteous, thanks to Christ, though we don't deserve it.

This verse shifts to focus on our personal relationship with God. Those who trust in Christ are reconciled to God by Christ's death, even though we were God's enemies, because of our sin. In other words, Christ's death in our place for our sin made it possible for us to enter into a real and personal relationship, something not possible without Christ. Before we came to this point, God considered us enemies due to our rebellious sin. Now He considers us His beloved children.

Since we were reconciled with God by Christ's death, Paul writes, how much truer is it that we will be saved—rescued from being eternally separated from God, and from His angry judgment—by Christ's life. This may refer to Christ's sinless life on earth before the crucifixion or it may refer to Christ's resurrection from the dead, which showed that God's justice for our sin had been fully satisfied and concluded.

Romans 5:1–11 describes the amazing benefits that come with being declared righteous before God by faith in Christ's death for our sin. God has made peace with us. We stand in His grace, and we rejoice in the sure hope that we will share in His glory. Our suffering brings growth, which leads to even more potent hope. God has proven His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We are saved from God's wrath and reconciled to God in Christ.

Romans 5 begins by describing some of the benefits that come with being declared righteous by God because of our faith in Christ. We have peace with God, and we stand in His grace. We rejoice both in the hope of God's glory and in our temporary suffering. We have hope that will not disappoint, because God has already proved His love for us. Paul then compares the work of Adam in bringing sin and death into the world with the work of Christ in dying for sin in order to offer God's free gift of grace to all who believe.

After proving that all men are guilty of sin and incapable of earning salvation, Paul explained how faith—not works—is the means by which God declares us righteous. Romans 5 begins with a powerful, joyful revelation of all that comes with being justified in God's eyes by our faith in Christ. We have peace with God. We stand in God's grace. We have hope for eternal glory and meaning in our current suffering. God has proven His love for us in the death of Christ for our sin while we were still sinners. Adam introduced sin and death to the world, and they continue. Christ, though, by dying for our sin brought God's grace to all who believe. The next chapter begins by refuting a common misconception about salvation by grace through faith.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.