Romans 5:11 is a powerful verse that builds on the foundation Paul has laid in the preceding verses about justification by faith. Let's break it down phrase by phrase:
"Not only so..." This connects the verse to the previous statements. Paul has been talking about the blessings that come with being justified (declared righteous) by faith in Jesus: peace with God, access to grace, and hope of glory. He's saying that these benefits are not the only good things that come with this new relationship.
"...but we also rejoice in God..." This is the key phrase. "Rejoice" suggests a deep, inward joy and exultation. It's not just happiness, but a profound and abiding delight and satisfaction that is rooted in God himself. This isn't just rejoicing about God's blessings, but rejoicing in God as a person. It's a relational joy, a delight in knowing and being in fellowship with God.
"...through our Lord Jesus Christ..." This emphasizes that our ability to rejoice in God is entirely dependent on Jesus. We can't access God or experience this joy apart from him. Jesus is the mediator, the one who makes it possible for us to have this relationship with God.
"...through whom we have now received the reconciliation." This is the foundational truth that makes everything else possible. Reconciliation means the restoration of a broken relationship. Before Christ, humanity was alienated from God, at odds with him because of our sin. But through Jesus' sacrifice, the barrier of sin has been removed, and we are reconciled to God. We are brought back into a right relationship with him. We have already received this reconciliation; it is a present reality for those who believe.
In Summary:
Romans 5:11 means that because of Jesus Christ, believers not only have peace with God, access to grace, and hope of glory, but also possess a deep and abiding joy in God himself. This joy is made possible because Jesus has reconciled us to God, bridging the gap caused by our sin and restoring us to a right relationship with him.
In other words: Before, God was someone to be feared or avoided. Now, through Jesus, we can draw near to him with joy and delight, knowing that we are forgiven and loved. This verse highlights the relational aspect of salvation – it's not just about escaping punishment, but about entering into a restored and joyful relationship with God.
Romans 5:11 is a powerful verse that builds on the foundation Paul has laid in the preceding verses about justification by faith. Let's break it down phrase by phrase:
"Not only so..." This connects the verse to the previous statements. Paul has been talking about the blessings that come with being justified (declared righteous) by faith in Jesus: peace with God, access to grace, and hope of glory. He's saying that these benefits are not the only good things that come with this new relationship.
"...but we also rejoice in God..." This is the key phrase. "Rejoice" suggests a deep, inward joy and exultation. It's not just happiness, but a profound and abiding delight and satisfaction that is rooted in God himself. This isn't just rejoicing about God's blessings, but rejoicing in God as a person. It's a relational joy, a delight in knowing and being in fellowship with God.
"...through our Lord Jesus Christ..." This emphasizes that our ability to rejoice in God is entirely dependent on Jesus. We can't access God or experience this joy apart from him. Jesus is the mediator, the one who makes it possible for us to have this relationship with God.
"...through whom we have now received the reconciliation." This is the foundational truth that makes everything else possible. Reconciliation means the restoration of a broken relationship. Before Christ, humanity was alienated from God, at odds with him because of our sin. But through Jesus' sacrifice, the barrier of sin has been removed, and we are reconciled to God. We are brought back into a right relationship with him. We have already received this reconciliation; it is a present reality for those who believe.
In Summary:
Romans 5:11 means that because of Jesus Christ, believers not only have peace with God, access to grace, and hope of glory, but also possess a deep and abiding joy in God himself. This joy is made possible because Jesus has reconciled us to God, bridging the gap caused by our sin and restoring us to a right relationship with him.
In other words: Before, God was someone to be feared or avoided. Now, through Jesus, we can draw near to him with joy and delight, knowing that we are forgiven and loved. This verse highlights the relational aspect of salvation – it's not just about escaping punishment, but about entering into a restored and joyful relationship with God.