Reading Romans 5:1-2

It's tragic. Pretty much no one understands Romans 1-4 and so by the time readers get to Romans 5-8, their eyes are glazed over. If Bible readers were to vote on Paul's most inspiring chapters, Romans 5-8 would be a top contender for sure (with Romans chapter 8 probably being the single most inspiring chapter in the entire Bible). But it seems few people appreciate the larger section (chs. 5-8) and its absolute genius.

I want to do what I can to remedy the lack of amazement concerning Paul's greatest work of theology and inspiration, starting with just two verses.

In what follows, I will start by commenting on differences between the standard translations and Douglas Campbell's reading (in Deliverance of God and Beyond Justification). Then I will give a short summary of the message of these two verses and comment on how this leads into Paul's great treatise on salvation.

Romans 5:1 NASB:

Therefore, having been justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1 Douglas Campbell's Translation:

Being delivered through faithfulness,

we will have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

—"Justified" vs. "Delivered." Both meanings are possible for the Greek word. Context helps us here, because the preceding verse used the same word. In Romans 4:25, Paul says Christ was "raised for our justification / deliverance." The word that best fits in 4:25 is deliverance. Elsewhere, Paul indicates that Jesus' resurrection signifies that we too will be raised. The resurrection has a liberating aspect—we will be liberated from death. Thus, "deliverance" is the best translation for this context.

—"We have peace" vs. "We will have peace." Campbell argues that the Greek word in question is in the subjunctive mood with a future sense (not the indicative mood). It is a future hope and this is the point Romans 5:1 is making. Since we have been delivered already, we will have peace with God when we appear before him at the resurrection. This reassuring message (no need to fear) is the strategy of Romans 5-8 as a whole, a section refuting some opponents of Paul who used fear to win converts. There is no fear in love.=

—"By faith" vs. "Through faithfulness." Here is the largest difference in translation. NASB and the common reading imply that a Christian's own faith saves them. Campbell's translation asserts that Christ's faith saves us. The key to understanding Paul's references to Christ's faith is a verse from the Old Testament which he reads as being about Jesus: "But the Righteous One will live by faith" (Habakkuk 2:4). Paul sees a Jesus reference here. Jesus had the faith to go all the way to the cross. And God raised him. The Righteous One (Jesus) lived (was resurrected) by faith (because of his faithfulness). Campbell also examines Romans 3:21-22 in depth, arguing that the faith referenced there can only mean Christ's faith (see The Faith of Jesus).

Romans 5:2 NASB:

. . . through whom we also have obtained our introduction

by faith

into this grace

in which we stand;

and we celebrate

in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:2 Douglas Campbell's Translation:

. . . through whom we also have access

by means of that fidelity

into this favor

by means of which we stand . . .

[last clause untranslated].

—"By faith" vs. "By means of that fidelity." It's the same issue as in vs. 1. Is this about the Christian's faith or Jesus' faith? In the common reading, our faith earns us salvation, a place in God's favor. In Paul's actual Gospel, there is no boasting—not even to imply that we generated our own faith. God implanted faith in us. It was Jesus' faith that motivated him to lay down his life for his friends. Campbell's "that fidelity" refers to the faith of Christ that led him to surrender himself to Roman crucifixion.

—In the common reading, Romans 5:2 is about "saving faith" giving us access to grace. In Campbell's reading, Romans 5:2 clarifies that we presently have security, the assurance of divine favor. Whereas vs. 1 is about future security for Jesus-followers (we won't need to fear appearing before God at the resurrection), vs. 2 clarifies that we are already experiencing a secure love relationship with God.

—In Campbell's discussion (in Deliverance of God, "Reading the Rest of Romans") he never discusses the last clause of Romans 5:2. However, at least one modern translation has done us a huge favor. The CSB renders the last clause "we boast in the hope of the glory of God." The use of the word "boast" is crucial, something missed by translations like the NASB. I say this word choice is crucial because Paul has already used the word boasting several times in Romans. A specific group of opponents (who we will call the Influencers and there will be future articles about them) have a boasting problem, according to Paul. They boast in their law-keeping. Paul cuts their view down to size. We only boast in God because we have earned nothing.

—The CSB translation "boast" is illuminating. It helps us see the connection between Romans 1-4 and Romans 5-8. In Romans 1-4, Paul is arguing with the Influencers who use fear to win converts by telling them they are not good enough. God expects you to keep all of the commandments and customs of Judaism, argued the Influencers. Whoever keeps them perfectly will be saved! So in Romans 5-8, after Paul has mocked and discredited the Influencers, he is explaining the view revealed to him by Christ himself. There is no boasting. God saves unconditionally and implants faith in those he is saving. We don't earn anything. We are completely beneficiaries of God's kindness.

Putting Romans 5:1-2 Together . . .

Romans 5:1-2 Campbell's Translation + the CSB translation of the final clause:

Being delivered through faithfulness,

we will have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom we also have access

by means of that fidelity

into this favor

by means of which we stand;

we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

Paul has some opponents who have made trouble in Galatia and Philippi. Their ideas must have already been heard in Rome as well. These influencers who oppose Paul use fear in their message. Are you really saved? Are you truly going to be right with God at the judgment?

There is no fear in love and Paul says God's attitude toward us is love.

We are already delivered, so we know we will have peace when we see God face to face. We have been saved by no less than Jesus' own faith and faithfulness. Faith led him to the cross and held him there. By his faith we are delivered from Sin and Death. Our standing with God now is Favor and Peace (or Grace and Peace, if you prefer).

As for the influencers, they would say, "We keep the whole Torah like Jesus did and so we will be raised from the dead like he was." Paul calls this out as boasting. But if Jesus did it all and we simply received his gifts, what is there to boast about? Why, the hope of the glory of God, of course.

Where Will Paul Go From Here?

Having started his Treatise on Salvation with a strong message of assurance, Paul is going to build this idea out thoroughly in chapters 5-8. Here is a short outline:

Romans 5:1-5—Assurance of salvation and the value of tribulations.

Romans 5:6-8—God's love for the ungodly.

Romans 5:9-11—Reconciled to God; there is no wrath.

Romans 5:12-17—The Gift of the Last Adam is far more powerful than the Fall of the First Adam.

Romans 5:18-19—All mankind will be saved by the Last Adam. Yes, you read that correctly.

Romans 5:20-21—The Law revealed to Israel made sin manifest, leading to grace in Christ.

Romans 6:1-4—Should we sin to illuminate grace? No, we died to it.

Romans 6:5-7—United with Christ in death and resurrection, freed from Sin.

Romans 6:8-11—Having died and been raised with him, count yourself dead to Sin.

Romans 6:12-14—You do not have to keep letting Sin use your body.

Romans 6:15-19—While you used to be slaves to Sin, your new Master is Righteousness.

Romans 6:20-23—No benefit in Sin; far better is the Gift of God.

Romans 7:1-4—Illustration: a woman whose husband has died is not bound to matrimony.

Romans 7:5-6—A look back at life before conversion: used to be Flesh but now you have the Spirit.

Romans 7:7-13—Example of the Law inciting sin.

Romans 7:14-23—Life in the Flesh, two masters.

Romans 7:24-25—Who will deliver? Sets the stage for Chapter 8.

Romans 8:1-4—No condemnation; Law of Spirit cancels Law of Sin and Death; keeping Law by the Spirit.

Romans 8:5-8—Set your mind one of two places; on the Spirit to please God; Flesh cannot please him.

Romans 8:9-11—You have the Spirit, but be sure you do; the Spirit gives you Life in Christ.

Romans 8:12-17—Live in the Spirit and know that you are a Son or Daughter of God.

Romans 8:18-25—Be patient as God renews the universe and you along with it.

Romans 8:26-27—Don't worry about what you don't know; the Spirit knows and intercedes.

Romans 8:28-30—God turns everything to Joy; he predestined you and will glorify you.

Romans 8:31-39—Ignore the fear-mongers: nothing can separate you from God.