Romans 5:6-11   Love Demonstrated

We’ve gone through the righteousness of God revealed through His wrath against all of mankind 

general revelation and specific revelation

We’ve gone through His righteousness revealed apart from the law —. Grace (God justifies the unjust while remaining,Himself, still just)

We’ve called a witness to the stand as testimony of being declared right by God because of faith (apart from the law)

We’ve even read about the benefits package for those who ask for this declaration of righteousness through faith in Christ 

Now we will read about Gods love in comparison to humans

And it’s relevance to humans (those who are declared just through faith)

How does verse 5 end ?

(Love of God given to us)

This is the first time , in five chapters of this epistle that Paul uses this word.  

Does anyone find it odd that it takes him so long to get around to the centerpiece of the gospel ?

Why does he start by talking about Gods wrath justly aimed at every human being who ever lived ?

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

while we were unable to help ourselves (in context of satisfying God’s standard righteousness)

there is a when provided 

1. When we were weak 
2. Chronological time as well 

Christ died for the ungodly.

Christ died for us when we did not even care, 

in fact, we were proud of the things we were doing which He died for

Who is the “ungodly” mentioned here ?

All mankind

Or those who are predestined 

Limited atonement 

Christ lays down his life for the sheep (not all)

John 10:11 and 14-15

Matt 25:31-46 tells us that sheep will be separated from the goats

sheep on right are the saved

goats on left are unsaved

If he died for all sins (then no one would be condemned)

7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.

It is quite rare for a man to be willing to die for even a good man.  possibly but very rare

however

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God proves His love by dying for bad people.

demonstrates

5319   [4921]   συνίστημι, synistēmi,

[Bible Words]

DEMONSTRATE

The word “demonstrate” is seldom used in English versions of the Bible. But each use is theologically significant, with three different Greek words reflected in our translations.

Endeiknymi  4 times

means “to demonstrate” in the sense of placing evidence on display. 

Paul, the “worst of sinners” (1 Ti 1:16). And the evidence that God is righteous in forgiving sins is displayed in Jesus’ death as a sacrifice of atonement. (endeixis, Ro 3:25). (See ATONEMENT)

Synistemi 3 times

suggests drawing the evidence together, to sum it up in a single exhibit. Human unrighteousness is a backdrop against which God’s righteousness is so displayed (Ro 3:5). The evidence for God’s love is focused, for its grandest display, in Jesus’ death for us (Ro 5:8).

Apodeixis 1 

is a strong word. It appears only once in the NT. It indicates compelling proof: evidence that demands agreement. God’s acts demonstrate his power, his patience, and his love. But it is the Holy Spirit, working through the gospel, who awakens faith with compelling proof (1 Co 2:4).

9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

So if the death of God’s Son can reconcile us back to the Father while we were enemies of God

how much more so shall we held as reconciled by that same death now that we ARE reconciled and share in His resurrection as well.

If He can do the hard part, then He can do the easy part.

in other words, God already did the hard part of changing sworn enemies into not only loving adopted children. (if He can do that , then keeping you saved is easy)

If you believe He can pick up a heavy weight, He can hold you up.

If He can cure you while you are sick, He can keep you healthy

If He can bring the dead back to life, He should be able to keep them alive.

verse 9 is now paralleled deeper here in next verse:

10 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.

saved  σῴζω, sō̧zō, to save, rescue, deliver; to heal

Message: If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we’re at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life!

Being reconciled , declared just before God is the first step, but hardly the destination of the journey.

What things is Paul saying we should be experiencing, doing … ?

We all want joy but not peace 

We al all willing to live for joy but not willing to die for peace 

11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

exult καυχάομαι, kauchaomai,]. to boast, brag about; to rejoice in, glory in; this can refer to proper or improper boasting, depending on the object of the boast

Eph 2:8=9 reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith … ending with not by works, that no one may boast.

In Romans 5:11 Paul says we boast (also implying that those who are not boasting (about verses 1-10) should, in fact be boasting.
Yet in Eph 2:9, Paul says no one has anything to boast about.

explain ?

We can boast about Gods work but not our own 

Jesus as a lamb gives us peace with God

Jesus as Lord gives of peace of God

Jesus death saves us from wrath

Jesus life saves us from ruin (ourselves)

back to the four things in our benefits package (Rom 5:1-5)

Peace with God

Access to God

Preview of our future with God

Purpose for pain and suffering