Read & explore together
The Triumph of Faith
Romans 5:1–5 describes results named in these verses for those justified by faith. The passage moves from peace with God to hope, then shows how suffering is linked in a chain that ends with hope and God’s love.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
These verses are part of a letter and teaching passage. The writer speaks in terms of “we” and names peace with God through Jesus Christ, access by faith into grace, rejoicing in hope of God’s glory, rejoicing in sufferings, and the Holy Spirit given to us.
Romans 5:1–5Main takeaway
This passage teaches that faith is linked with peace, grace, hope, and confidence in God’s love through the Holy Spirit.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Peace with God through Jesus ChristThe passage opens, “Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Explanation
The passage opens, “Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. The wording joins faith, peace with God, and Jesus Christ closely together. An explanation of “justified” here is being set in a right relationship with God, as this verse describes.
02Access by faith into graceNext, the writer says that through Jesus “we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand”.
Explanation
Next, the writer says that through Jesus “we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand”. The verse speaks of grace as the present place or condition in which “we stand”. It also says, “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
03Suffering linked to perseveranceThe passage then includes suffering. It says, “we also rejoice in our sufferings”, and gives a reason: “knowing that suffering produces perseverance”.
Explanation
The passage then includes suffering. It says, “we also rejoice in our sufferings”, and gives a reason: “knowing that suffering produces perseverance”. This does not describe suffering as easy. It explains that suffering is connected, in the passage’s own wording, with perseverance.
04Perseverance, proven character, and hopeRomans 5:4 continues the chain in order: “perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope”.
Explanation
Romans 5:4 continues the chain in order: “perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope”. “Proven character” can be understood as character shown or tested through what has been endured. The next verse adds that “hope doesn’t disappoint us” because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01According to Romans 5:1, what comes with being justified by faith?
Look for the result named directly in the verse and notice that it is “through our Lord Jesus Christ”.
02What does Romans 5:2 say believers have access into, and how do they stand there?
Use the verse’s own wording about “access by faith” and “this grace in which we stand”.
03What is the full sequence linked together in Romans 5:3–5?
List the words in order from suffering through to hope, then add the reason hope does not disappoint.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Romans 5:1–5
1Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
2through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance;
4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
5and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.