Romans 5

 

SECTION OUTLINE FIVE (ROMANS 5)

Paul talks about the joy that comes from faith. He contrasts the sinful Adam with the sinless Christ.

I. A Summary of Justification (5:1–11): Paul lists five results of divine justification.

A. The believer has peace with God (5:1): This is accomplished through the work done by Jesus Christ.

B. The believer has access to God (5:2): This high privilege brings about great confidence and joy concerning the future.

C. The believer has assurance from God (5:3–4).

1. The fact of this assurance (5:3): It helps us in time of suffering.

2. The fruit of the assurance (5:4): Suffering produces perseverance, which produces character, which produces hope.

D. The believer is indwelt by God (5:5): The Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of believers.

E. The believer is preserved in God (5:6–11): A believer’s salvation is secure, guaranteed by:

1. Christ’s past work on Calvary’s cross (5:6–8)

a. What he did (5:6): He died on the cross for us.

b. Why he did it (5:7–8a): He died because he loves us.

c. When he did it (5:8b): He did it when we were still helpless and hostile sinners.

2. Christ’s present work at God’s right hand (5:9–11): Paul says Christ died to save us and now lives to keep us saved.

II. A Summary of Condemnation (5:12–21): Paul contrasts the work of Adam (the sinful father of all people) with the work of Christ (the sinless Savior of all people).

A. The work of Adam (5:12–15, 16a, 17a, 18a, 19a, 20a, 21a)

1. The reality of his act (5:12a): “When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race.”

2. The scope of his act (5:12b–13): “So death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.”

3. The nature of his act (5:19a): “Because one person disobeyed God, many people became sinners.”

4. The results of his act (5:14–15a, 16a, 17a, 18a, 21a)

a. Imputed judgment on Adam’s posterity (5:14): “They all died anyway—even though they did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did.”

b. Eternal judgment on all unsaved (5:15a, 16a, 17a, 18a, 21a): Adam’s sin brought death and condemnation upon all people.

5. The relationship of the law to his act (5:20a): “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were.”

B. The work of Christ (5:15b, 16b, 17b, 18b, 19b, 20b, 21b): Because of Christ’s death, people can be saved in spite of their sin.

1. The scope of his act (5:15b, 18b)

a. “Jesus Christ … brought forgiveness to many through God’s bountiful gift” (5:15b).

b. “Christ’s one act of righteousness makes all people right in God’s sight and gives them life” (5:18b).

2. The nature of his act (5:19b): “Because one other person obeyed God, many people will be made right in God’s sight.”

3. The results of his act (5:16b, 17b, 21b)

a. Justification (5:16b): All people can now be accepted by God.

b. Sanctification (5:17b): All people can now be made righteous in God’s eyes.

c. Glorification (5:21b): All people can now have eternal life.

4. The relationship of sin to his act (5:20b): “As people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful kindness became more abundant.”