A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 33 Chapter 5:10 – 11

1. Verse 10 “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
1. While we looked a little at verse 10 last week verse 11 forces us to look at it again.
2. “…when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son…”

a. “…When we were enemies…” – As are outside of Christ, people who are not saved do not love Christ nor do they love God. Those who say they loved God all their lives have no idea what they are talking about. Romans 3:10, 11 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (11.) There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God."

b. We were always in the fleshly state enemies of God.

3. “…we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son…”

a. The word “reconciled” means - to change mutually, that is, (figuratively) to compound a difference: - Our hearts were changed in salvation, we were no longer not seeking God but now we do seek Him.

b. Colossians 1:21 “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.”

c. Ephesians 2:16 "And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:"

4. “…being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

a. The words “…saved by his life.” Means delivered or preserved by His life, therefore while Christ's death fully established our reconciliation with God, being saved by his life means His present resurrection life in which he intercedes for us and insures our complete and final salvation. Hebrews 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

b. Salvation is not complete until we are with the Lord, therefore this is His promise not to leave us alone, He will be with us until the end. Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"

2. Verse 11 “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”
1. “And not only so…” that is not the only wonderful thought - The apostle states another effect of justification. “…but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ…”

a. The word joy is our 8^th benefit of salvation. Joy means – to glory or to rejoice – Notice Paul said “we also joy in God” that is we rejoice in God himself that who He is; in his existence; his attributes; his justice, holiness, mercy, truth, love.

b. Let’s remember in verse 2 Paul told us “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” We rejoice in all that God has done for us even if we suffer tribulation, but here in verse 11 we rejoice in who He is altogether.

c. However this is only possible through Christ Jesus; those outside of Christ has not joy in God. Let us remember unless God has chosen them to salvation He has condemned them to eternal hell.

d. This is why the real God, the true God that is who He truly is, is so hated by religionist and the world.

2. “…through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”

a. This word occurs only one single time in the entire New Testament and here it is in Romans 5:11.

b. Atonement means - exchange that is, restoration to (the divine) favor” – The word also means - the reconciliation – The word here as used by Paul means - in fact we have become reconciled through him. Barnes' Notes on the New Testament said "This was the ancient meaning of the English word atonement—at one ment—being at one, or reconciled" Through Jesus Christ death and the shedding of His blood we have been brought to be one with God. No more separation, no more enmity, all is joy in God forevermore.

Verse 12 starts a whole new thought so we will start there next week.