READ ROMANS 5:1-11

Having established the guilt of mankind and how God has provided a solution for that need, Paul now further elaborates on the principle of justification by faith.

Romans 5:6 "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." The thought now shifts from the result of justification to the source of it —“Christ died for the ungodly.” The word translated as "without strength" is commonly translated as ‘weak.’ What is clear is that salvation is not of our own efforts or merit. When we were weak, without strength, having no ability in ourselves, is when God mightily worked. Justification is all of Him and nothing of us. The phrase “in due time” has the idea of the proper time, the right time, or the fullness of time. (Notice Galatians 4:4) At precisely the right time, Jesus Christ died for us, the ungodly, who were feeble in our spiritual weakness. The sense of the word translated as "ungodly" further illustrates the grace of God. The word has the idea of being ‘without fear or reverence to God,’ even opposing God. Notwithstanding being in our sorry state, Christ died for us!

Romans 5:7 "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die."  Paul more fully develops the contrast he is drawing between God’s grace and our ungodliness. He begins with the idea of a self-righteous person. Hardly anyone would be willing to die for such. The distinction of a “good man” is one who is not only righteous, but kind, generous, and decent—one who is well liked. In that case, perhaps some might consider dying on his behalf.

Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." The word translated as "commendeth" in this context has the idea how God ‘demonstrated and focused’ His love on us. We are less than righteous and far less than good; we are sinners. The word translated "sinners" can, among other things, have the idea of being pre-eminently sinful and wicked, stained with definite vices and crimes. The contrast has been drawn. Though hardly anyone would die for a self-righteous person and though some might die for a good person, God’s love for us is so great that “Christ died for us”—the ungodly, while we were those pre-eminently sinful people, stained with vices and crimes. To God be the glory!

No one can be saved on their own merit, Christ had to die in our place, and praise God He chose to do so!  May we rejoice today, in the salvation we have in Christ Jesus.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  We are described as without strength and ungodly in Romans 5:6.  What does it mean to be without strength?

2.  What does it mean to be ungodly?

3.  How does being without strength and ungodly apply to your life?

4.  What did Jesus do for you and what does this act demonstrate?