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Romans 1:16-17

For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.”

The Bible Project gives us the best introduction to Paul’s epistle to the Romans you could ask for. Check it out in preparation for our class discussions.

Greek vocab - Chapter 5

dikaioōδικαιόω • justified, vindicated, declared righteous
pistisπίστις • faith, trust
eriēnēεἰρήνη • peace
charisχάρις • grace, favor
histēmiἵστημι • stand, establish, make stand
kaochaomaiκαυχάομαι • boast, glory
elpisἐλπίς • hope, expectation
thlipsisθλῖψις • sufferings, distress, persecution, affliction, opression
hypomonēὑπομονή • endurance, steadfastness, perseverance
dokimēδοκιμή • proven character, worth, test, proof
kataischynōκαταισχύνω • put to shame, humiliate, disgrace, dissapoint
ekcheōἐκχέω • poured out, poured in, shed, spilled, eat, wasted
asthenēsἀσθενής • weak, sick, poor, low, helpless
apothnēskōἀποθνῄσκω • die, drown
asebēsἀσεβής • ungodly, godless, impious, wicked
synistēmiσυνίστημι • commend, demonstrate, prove, establish
hamartōlosἁμαρτωλός • sinner, sinful
sōzōσῴζω • save, deliver, keep
echthrosἐχθρός • enemy
katallassōκαταλλάσσω • reconciled, exchange
thanatosθάνατος • death
zōēζωή • life
ellogeōἐλλογέω • reckoned, charged (to one’s account)
basileuōβασιλεύω • rule, reign, to be king
parabasisπαράβασις • transgression, violation, breach
charismaχάρισμα • free gift, grace
paraptōmaπαράπτωμα • trespass, sin, transgression, stumbling
dōreaδωρεά • gift, present
krimaκρίμα • judgment, condemnation
parakoēπαρακοή • disobedience
hypakoēὑπακοή • obedience

NRSV - Chapter 5

1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9 Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned— 13 sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. 14 Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. 16 And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. 17 If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

18 Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. 19 For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

NIV - Chapter 5

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned— 13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

KJV - Chapter 5

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 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. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, vfor that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto bmany. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon eall men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall zmany be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Cranfield (ICC) - Chapter 5

1 Having been justified then on the basis of faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained access [by faith] to this grace in which we stand, and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we even exult in afflictions, knowing that affliction works endurance, 4 and endurance provedness, and provedness hope. 5 And this hope does not put us to shame, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 6 For, when we were still powerless, Christ died at the appointed time for ungodly men. 7 For someone will scarcely die for a righteous man; for a benefactor perhaps someone might bring himself to die. 8 But God proves his own love for us by the fact that Christ died for us when we were still sinners. 9 Since, then, we have now been justified by his blood, we shall much more be saved through him from the wrath. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 And not only this; we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus [Christ], through whom we have now already received reconciliation.

12 Wherefore, as through one man sin entered the world, and through sin death, and so death came to all men in turn, because all have sinned—13 for sin was already in the world before the law was given, but, in the absence of the law, sin is not registered with full clarity. 14 But death reigned from Adam to Moses even over those who had not sinned in the same way as Adam, by transgression of a definite commandment. Now Adam is the type of him who was to come. 15 But it is not a matter of ‘As is the misdeed, so [also] is the gracious gift’. For if by the misdeed of the one the many died, much more have the grace of God and the gift which has come by the grace of the one man Jesus Christ abounded unto the many. 16 And it is not a matter of ‘As is the result of one man’s sinning, so is the gift’; for the judgment followed one misdeed and issued in condemnation, but the gracious gift followed many misdeeds and issued in justification. 17 For if death reigned through the one man by the misdeed of the one, much more shall those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18 So then as the result of one man’s misdeed has been for all men condemnation, so also the result of one man’s righteous conduct is for all men justification issuing in life. 19 For as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one will the many be made righteous. 20 But the law came in as a new feature of the situation in order that the misdeed might increase; but where sin increased, grace superabounded, 21 in order that, as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Dunn (Word) - Chapter 5

1 Therefore, having been justified from faith we have peace in relation to God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access (by faith) into this grace in which we stand and boast in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also boast in afflictions, knowing that affliction produces patience, 4 and patience character, and character hope. 5 And hope does not put to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us.

6 For while we were still weak, yet Christ at that time died for the ungodly. 7 For only rarely will someone die for a righteous man; for perhaps someone will dare to die for the good man. 8 But God demonstrates his love to us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, having now been justified by his blood, we shall be saved through him from wrath. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 Not only so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

12 Therefore as through one man sin entered into the world and through sin, death—and so death came to all men, in that all sinned. 13 For until the law, sin was in the world, but sin is not accounted in the absence of the law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the very manner of Adam’s transgression—he who is the type of the one to come. 15 But not as the trespass, so also the effect of grace; for if by the trespass of the one, the many died, how much more the grace of God and the gift in grace, which is of the one man Jesus Christ, has overflowed to the many. 16 And not as the one who sinned, the gift; for the judgment is from one to condemnation, but the effect of grace is from many trespasses to justification. 17 For if by the trespass of the one death reigned through the one, how much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ. 18 So then, as through the trespass of one to all men to condemnation, so also through the righteous act of one to all men to righteousness of life. 19 For as through the disobedience of the one man, the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one, the many will be made righteous. 20 The law came in to increase the trespass; but where sin increased, grace overflowed in abundance, 21 in order that as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Fitzmyer (Yale) - Chapter 5

1 Therefore, now that we are justified through faith, we are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access in faith to this grace in which we now stand and boast of our hope for the glory of God. 3 Yet not only that, but let us also boast of our afflictions, since we know that affliction makes for endurance, 4 endurance makes for character, and character for hope. 5 Such hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6 While we were still helpless, Christ died at the appointed time for the godless. 7 Rare, indeed, is it that one should lay down one’s life for an upright person—though for a really good person one might conceivably have courage to die. 8 Yet God shows forth his own love for us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 And so, since we are now justified by his blood, we shall all the more certainly be saved by him from the wrath to come. 10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, now that we are reconciled, we shall all the more certainly be saved by his life. 11 Yet not only that—but we boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and through sin death, and so death spread to all human beings, with the result that all have sinned—13 up to the time of the law sin was in the world, even though sin is not accounted when there is no law; 14 yet death held sway from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in a way similar to Adam’s transgression—who is a type of the one who was to come. 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if many have died because of the trespass of one man, how much more have the grace of God and his gift overflowed to the many because of the grace of one man, Jesus Christ. 16 Moreover, the gift is not like the result of one man’s sin; for judgment resulting from one trespass became condemnation, whereas the gift following upon many trespasses brought justification. 17 If by the trespass of one man death came to hold sway through that one man, how much more will those who receive the abundance of God’s grace and his gift of uprightness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18 So, just as through one trespass condemnation came upon all, through one act of uprightness justification and life came to all human beings. 19 Just as through the disobedience of one man many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one many will be made upright. 20 The law slipped in that trespass might increase; but where sin increased, grace has abounded all the more, 21 so that, just as sin held sway in death, grace too might reign through uprightness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jewett (Hermeneia) - Chapter 5

1 Therefore, having been made righteous “by faith,” let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we also have gained access in the faith to this grace in which we have stood; let us also boast in hope of the glory of God; 3 not only that, but let us also boast in our afflictions, knowing that this affliction produces fortitude, 4 and this fortitude approbation, and this approbation hope, 5 and this hope does not cause shame, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through [the] Holy Spirit that was given to us.

6 “For while we were still weak, still Christ died at that time on behalf of the ungodly.” 7 “For scarcely on behalf of a righteous [person] will someone die!” “For perhaps on behalf of the good [person] someone might dare to die!” 8 But God demonstrates to us his own love in that while we were yet sinners “Christ died on our behalf.” 9 Much more, therefore, having been put right now by his blood, shall we be saved through him from the wrath. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved by his life, 11 not only that, but also boasting in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

12 On account of this, as indeed through one person sin came into the world, and through sin [came] death, and thus death reached to all people, on which [world] all sinned—. 13 For prior to law, sin was in [the] world, but sin is not chalked up [against them] where law does not exist. 14 But death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one to come. 15 But [is] not the grace-gift just like the trespass? For if by the trespass of the one the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gift by grace of the one person Jesus Christ abound for the many? 16 And [is] not the gift just like the one’s sinning? For on the one hand, the judgment from one [led] to condemnation, but on the other hand the grace-gift from many trespasses [led] to a righteous decree. 17 For if by the trespass of one, death reigned through that one, how much more shall those receiving the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ?

18 Therefore, indeed, as through the one trespass condemnation [came] to all people, so also through the one act of setting right for all people [leads] to rightness of life. 19 For just as through the disobedience of one person many were made to be sinners, so also through the obedience of one many shall be made righteous. 20 But law encroached in order that the trespass might increase; but where the sin increased, the grace increased to the superlative degree, 21 in order that just as sin reigned in death, so also this grace might reign through righteousness [leading to] life eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord.