Romans 5:6 – For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
In our prior post, we discovered that Christians who are justified through faith in Christ receive a number of benefits from our heavenly Father. These include peace with God, admission into the grace and favor of God, and the hope of future blessings/glory of God. All of these things give us reasons to rejoice. 
We can also rejoice during trials and afflictions because of the fruit they produce in our lives - patience, character and hope.
In today’s post Paul gives us further reasons to rejoice. Not surprisingly, these too are based on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let’s take a closer look.
GENERAL SUMMARY: No human being has the power or strength to produce their own justification and thus reconcile themselves to God. However, through the death and resurrection of Christ, God provided a solution which magnified his mercy by securing our salvation while at the same time honoring his hatred of sin and fulfilling his divine justice. Only God could do such a thing! His love for us is clearly displayed in this work.
DIGGING DEEPER: While we were still weak: In the original Greek, the word translated ‘weak’ is usually used in a physical sense. It is applied to people who are sick, feeble or touched by disease (Matthew 25:39, Acts 5:15, etc.).
However, in this verse it is used in a moral sense. Paul is specifically using it to say that no one had the power or strength to resist sin. Neither did anyone have the ability to justify themselves/atone for their sin, or to deliver themselves from the wrath of God.
Obviously, this situation describes mankind as a whole, because in Romans 1-2 Paul proved that both Jews and Gentiles were unable to live righteous lives.
But we can also apply this truth to each individual person. Each one of us were born into sin and found ourselves under the wrath of God from day one. Because we have no power to justify ourselves, we remained enemies of God until the time when we accepted Christ by faith.
So, the time ‘we were still weak’ refers to the period of time that each of us spent apart from God. It began when we were born (or reached the age of accountability) and it ended once we were reconciled to God through Christ.
For some, this was a short time span, perhaps under ten years. For others, it may have been decades. For the person who did not accept Christ until on their death bed, it could be classified as an entire lifetime.
At the right time: This phrase has several interpretations.
First, it may be viewed as the ‘proper’ time – the time when all of mankind’s efforts to keep the Law or to live righteously under the law of nature proved futile. Despite the enlightened reason of the Greeks and Romans, and despite the efforts/works of the Jews, nothing was found which could save mankind.
Had Christ come immediately after the fall of Adam and Eve, the pride of mankind would no doubt have insisted that we could have eventually redeemed ourselves. In this scenario, we would never have fully realized how desperate and hopeless our circumstances were/are.
On the other hand, had Christ delayed his coming until the final moments of time, the faith of the church may not have withstood such a long test.
But God, who is perfect in all of his ways, sent Christ into the world at the ‘proper’ time.
Second, it may be viewed as the ‘fixed’ time – the time which God had appointed for the coming of his Son. This time was established by the wisdom of the Trinity before the world was formed, and had been spoken of by the prophets.
Galatians 4:4-5 – But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
(See also Genesis 49:10, Daniel 9:24-27, John 8:20, 17:1, 13:1).
Third, it might be viewed as the ‘most favorable’ time – the time when the societies of the world were best positioned for the spread of the gospel. At the time of the incarnation, most of the world was governed by a single empire (Rome). Thus, there was a single currency, an official language, and a consistent set of laws. Plus, there was a large portion of the world living in at peace. This, coupled with an amazing system of roads, made it possible for the rapid spread of the gospel throughout the known world. 
Any or all of these explanations can define the ‘right’ time. What we can say for sure is that God knew exactly when to send Christ into the world to provide redemption for us.
Christ died: The death of Christ is an undisputed fact. It was foretold in prophesy, it was exemplified in the blood sacrifices of the temple, it was revealed by Christ himself both before his death and after his resurrection. It was the bedrock of the ministry of the apostles. It is one of the great articles of the Christian faith. Even his enemies have never denied it.
The death and resurrection of Christ is also the most tangible, distinct and infallible proof of the love of God for mankind. Take a moment to think about it – Jesus is an equal part of the divine Trinity, yet he agreed to leave the splendor of heaven, set his glory aside, and limit himself by taking on a human body of flesh. He came to earth out of love for us, but when he offered himself as a sacrifice for our sin, mankind rejected, abused, mocked and even cursed him. God appointed him (and he agreed) to suffer the full penalty of God’s wrath for a group of ungodly, unworthy, and rebellious people. What further proof of his love could God possibly give us?
For the ungodly: The ungodly are simply sinners, whether Jews or Greeks/Gentiles. They are the same people referred to as those ‘without strength’.
Just how ungodly was mankind? Scripture gives us an idea of the terrible progression of sin and rebellion in our lives:
Mankind’s fall from God: Having fallen into sin, mankind is without the spiritual strength to live in the state of holiness and righteousness in which we were created.
We then progress to a state of ungodliness: Having lost the ability to do what is just and holy, we no longer have the ability to worship/serve God as we should. We no longer allow God to constantly abide in our hearts or minds. Thus, we move further and further away from righteousness while falling further and further into sin and depravity (see Romans chapter one).
From ungodliness we move into a constant state of sin: We no longer have a true moral or spiritual foundation. True rest and satisfaction are only found in God, but since we don’t know him, we search for these things in the world. This results in frustration, futility and deception. The ultimate outcome is even more transgression against God, which results in us earning even more wrath.
Eventually, we become enemies of God: Because we have indulged in sin, it has increased in strength; it is now fixed and rooted in every aspect of our lives. Our hearts and minds have been poisoned with it to the point that we hate God and are cruel to our fellow man.
In the midst of all our rebellion and evil, Jesus died for the benefit of (or instead of) the ungodly (see also I Timothy 2:6, Luke 22:19, etc.). Why would he agree to do that? It was love that motivated him:
Ephesians 5:2 - And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.
As a side note, let’s ask this question: Have you ever noticed that some sinners are more evil than others? Why is that? Why doesn’t everyone sink to the lowest possible level of depravity?
The answer is that even though all of us were born with seeds of evil in our hearts, we cultivate them differently. Some people are restrained from utter evil by societal, parental or religious restraint. Some people listen to their consciences, while others do not. Some people have more freedom/opportunity to sin than others. This results in different levels of sinfulness and depravity.
The good news is that there is no sin which God cannot forgive. Anyone can be touched by the power and influence of Holy Spirit, who convicts us of sin and calls us to repentance, thus breaking the cycle of evil in our lives:
John 16:8 - And when he [Holy Spirit] is come, he will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment…
Romans 5:7 – For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die –
GENERAL SUMMARY: Verse six showed the immense love of God by sending Jesus to die for our sin. Verses 7-8 show just how remarkable that love is by comparing the love/actions of God towards us (John 3:16, Galatians 2:20) to the love of one man for another.
Paul concludes that there may be an instance where a person would lay down his life to save that of a friend, but that friend would have to be an extraordinary individual of eminent worth or goodness (in our eyes). The implication is that no human is going to be willing to die for a person who has no goodness or worth; yet that is exactly what Christ has done. 
The love of Christ, displayed in his sacrifice for sinners, far transcends any human example of love; it is matchless and unparalleled.
DIGGING DEEPER: For one will scarcely die: It is possible that at some point during the course of history we could find a person who laid down their life for another. But that event would be very rare. When it did occur, it would only happen with great difficulty soul-searching.
For a righteous person: The ‘righteous’ or ‘good’ person mentioned in this verse refers to a man or woman who appears to be righteous/good in the sight of others because of good works, or because they promote the public good, or because they have produced some benefit to mankind (like a scientist who makes a medical break-through). It doesn’t refer to someone who is righteous in God’s sight.
As ‘good’ as this person may seem to be by our standards, the vast majority of people would still not die so that ‘good’ person could live.
Though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die: Again, although it is highly unlikely, a circumstance might arise in which a person would lay down their life for another individual which they consider ‘good’ – a person who exhibits kindness, goodness or charity; perhaps a person who is our friend. The average person would be much more likely to die in place of a friend than an enemy, or even someone they don’t know.
John 15:13 – Greater love has no one that this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Some bible commentators suggest that the friendship of David and Jonathan may have risen to this level, but this is speculation because neither man died for the other. The bottom line is that it is extremely rare for someone to die in place of another person.
Romans 5:8 - … but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
GENERAL SUMMARY: God is very different from man. He proved his love for us by sending his beloved Son to die for us, even though we were neither righteous nor good.
DIGGING DEEPER: But God shows his love to us: God manifests his love to us in a remarkable and amazing way – by the death of his beloved Son. This action has so fully demonstrated his love, that there can be no doubt about it.
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
This action firmly establishes both the love of Christ, who was willing to be born in the flesh and give up his life, and the love of God, who was willing to give up his Son for us. It also implies the love of Holy Spirit, because the Trinity is always in perfect agreement.
In that while we were yet sinners: As we saw in verse seven, there is a remote possibility that a man (or woman) might possibly die for another person if that person had some notable goodness in their life.
God, on the other hand, sent his Son to die for us even though we were corrupt sinners with no redeeming value.
It should also be noted that God’s love (which is certain, pure and perfect) was not a response to the love of man. He loved us before we had any interest in him at all (I John 4:19). God’s love originates in his divine nature and it is poured out upon us as a result of his sovereign will and pleasure. We did nothing to earn or deserve it.
I John 4:10 – In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Christ died for us: Christ died in our place; by dying on the cross he made it possible for us to be justified in the sight of God, and to be delivered from God’s wrath. This is the ultimate proof of God’s love for us.
Romans 5:9 – Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
GENERAL SUMMARY: God’s love to man is expressed/proved in the gift of Christ. Through the death of Christ mankind is justified in God’s sight. Through the resurrection and life of Christ, mankind experiences salvation and escapes the wrath of God.
DIGGING DEEPER: Since therefore we have now been justified by his blood: As you know, we are justified in God’s sight through the atoning death of Jesus Christ. This statement focuses our attention on the fact that it was the DEATH of Christ that provided justification for us.
Much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God: This statement focuses our attention on the fact that the RESURRECTION/LIFE of Christ provides for our salvation.
The connection between the life of Jesus (his resurrection after the crucifixion and entombment) and our salvation is clear. Because he lives, we live also:
John 14:19 - Yet a little while, and the world sees me [Jesus] no more; but you see me: because I live, you shall live also.
The resurrection of Christ was a confirmation that God was pleased with his obedience. His ascension and life are confirmation of his role as the Mediator between God and man. In his role as Mediator, Jesus will function as our advocate before God. If (or more accurately when) we sin, Jesus will intercede for our pardon based on his blood sacrifice:
I John 2:1-2 – My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Simply stated, in verses 9-10 Paul is pointing out the difference between justification (which is associated with Christ’s death) and salvation (which is associated with his resurrection/life). 
Think of it this way: Justification is an instantaneous act of God, based on the death of Jesus. When we embrace the sacrifice of Christ as payment for our sin, God instantly marks our account ‘paid in full’. We are released from the debt of our sin because Jesus paid the price for it.
Salvation, however, is not instantaneous. It is a process:
Philippians 2:12 – Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
I Peter 2:2 – As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby:
Hebrews 12:1 - …let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily ensnare us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Even though we are children of God, we will continue to experience trials and temptations. We will continue to stumble and fall and get up again as we grow from spiritual babies into mature spiritual soldiers in the kingdom of God.
Our salvation will only be fully realized once we are separated from our fallen natures/sinful flesh – in other words when we reach heaven. In the meantime, Paul wants us to rest assured that if God was willing to justify us through the death of Christ, he will also, without question, guarantee our salvation/freedom from his wrath, through the resurrected life of Christ.
Romans 5:10 – 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.
GENERAL SUMMARY: Verse ten is really a repetition of verse nine. Paul is making two points here:
- Jesus redeemed us from sin through his humiliation and death on the cross.
- Now that Jesus lives and reigns in the place of exalted power and dominion, there is NO WAY that he will abandon us; his life is the guarantee of our ultimate salvation.
DIGGING DEEPER: While we were enemies: The work of justification was undertaken when we were still enemies of God. This is significant because it shows that God was the one who initiated the work. We know that whatever good work God begins, he always completes. Thus, we have the assurance that God will perfect our salvation.
We were reconciled to God: Christ removed the barrier between us and the Father, making it possible for us to be reconciled.
He satisfied the demands of the law (which called for payment of our debt) and so upheld God’s justice. He also subdued, changed and sanctified our hearts delivering us from rebellion and bringing us into submission to the authority of God.
Thus, Jesus broke down the barriers on both sides, producing reconciliation. Now we are the children of God, not his enemies.
By the death of his Son: The reconciliation just discussed was possible only through the death of Christ. It could not be produced by the works of man or by the law.
Much more now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life: We were justified by the death of Christ. We live or are saved by the resurrected life of Christ.
Hebrews 7:24-25 - …but he [Jesus] holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
John 14:9 – Because I live, you shall live also.
Once again, verses 9-10 say the same thing:
- Reconciliation is the initial act that happens when we are justified in God’s sight. It entails the removal of our sin and guilt which is made possible by the death of Christ.
- Salvation is a process. It is the means by which we are transformed into the image of Christ. Salvation is guaranteed by the continued working of the risen Savior, through the power of Holy Spirit. It is made possible by the life and power of the risen Christ.
Romans 5:11 – More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
GENERAL SUMMARY: We not only rejoice in peace, in the hope of glory, and in tribulation (verses 2-3), we also rejoice and glory in God himself, who has become our God and merciful Father through the work of Christ Jesus.
DIGGING DEEPER: More than that: Reconciliation is only the first of the blessings we receive when we have faith in Christ. We can now rejoice that God is our Father because all enmity between us and God has been fully removed by Jesus Christ.
We also rejoice in God: Our relationship with the Father is cause for rejoicing. He is the fountain of all grace, peace, blessings and salvation.
We can rejoice in his attributes like justice, mercy, truth, love, wisdom, faithfulness and holiness. We can rejoice that God is omnipotent, omniscient, immutable and sovereign. We can rejoice that he holds the keys of death, hell and the grave. We can rejoice that we are sons and daughters of the Most High God. 
We can rejoice that God is who he says he is, and that he will do what he says he will do!
We can rejoice that our relationship with God is not passive. In other words, it doesn’t only consist of receiving atonement - atonement is just the beginning! Our relationship with him will forever grow and change as we learn more and more about him. We will never run out of reasons to rejoice in God!
One of the functions of Holy Spirit is to produce a full conviction of the love of God in our hearts/minds. This conviction produces our rejoicing and assures us of our final salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have now received reconciliation: The only reason we can rejoice in God is because Jesus made it possible through his death and resurrection. Only through him do we have a future hope.
Let me offer you some encouragement:
Scripture tells us that God has prepared things for us that are so amazing and wonderful, we can’t even imagine them:
1 Corinthians 2:9 - But as it is written, ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.’
If you are going through a difficult time right now, encourage yourself with the thought that you are a child of God. One day, Jesus will return to earth and escort us to heaven where there will be no more pain, sorrow or tears.
Once there, we will NEVER be separated from God again!
Let me offer you some relief and strength:
Scripture tells us that we are not ignorant of Satan’s tactics. We all know that he constantly tries to get us to take our eyes off of God and look at our circumstances instead.
If he is successful, we will become fearful, depressed and anxious. Our faith in the promises of God will waver. If we aren’t careful, he will steal our joy and our victory.
The moment you realize that you are looking at the impossibility of your circumstances instead of the power of your God, stop and begin to rejoice.
Remind yourself that God is all powerful, that he reigns forever, that he loves you, that his blessings are endless, and that he never fails. Before you know it, you will be living in faith and walking in victory!