Romans 5
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Now that we have been made right by God by trusting in him, we have peace with him 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.
It's through Jesus, trusting in him, that we've gained access to this position of grace where we now stand, looking forward with happiness and confidence to sharing in God's glory.
3 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Not only this—we also remain confident when problems come, because we know that experiencing problems develops spiritual stamina.
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Spiritual stamina in turn develops a mature character, and this mature character results in confident 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.
Since we have this hope we're never disappointed, for God's love has been poured into us through the Holy Spirit he's given us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
When we were completely helpless, at just the right time Christ died for us ungodly people.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
Who would die for anybody else, even someone who does what's right? (Though perhaps somebody would be brave enough to die for someone really good.)
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
But God demonstrates his love for us in that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Now that we are made right by his death, we can be absolutely sure we'll be saved by him from the coming judgment.
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.
While we were his enemies, God made us his friends through the death of his Son, and so we can be absolutely sure that he will save us through the life of his Son.
11 And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
In addition to this we now celebrate what God has done through our Lord Jesus Christ to reconcile us and make us his friends.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
For through one man sin entered the world, and sin led to death. In this way death came to everyone, for everyone sinned.
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Even before the law was given, sin was in the world, however it wasn't counted as sin because there was 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.
But death still ruled from Adam until Moses, even over those who didn't sin in the same way as Adam did. Now Adam prefigured the one 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 many.
But the gift of Jesus is not like the sin of Adam. Though many people died because of one man's sin, God's grace is so much greater and has been shared with so many through his gracious gift in the person of Jesus Christ.
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.
The result of the gift is not like that of the sin. The result of Adam's sin was judgment and condemnation, but the gift sets us right with God, despite our many sins.
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.)
As a result of one man's sin, death ruled because of him. But God's grace is so much greater and his gift sets us right, for everyone who receives it will rule in life through the person of 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 all men unto justification of life.
Just as one sin brought condemnation on everyone, in the same way one right act gave everyone the opportunity to live right.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Just as through one man's disobedience many became sinners, in the same way through one man's obedience many are made right with God.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
When the law was introduced, sin became even more obvious. But while sin became much more obvious, grace became even more obvious!
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (aiōnios g166)
Just as sin ruled us and brought us death, now grace rules by making us right with God, bringing us eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (aiōnios g166)
