Articles
Much More - Romans 5
Much More - Romans 5
One interesting form of presenting a point that Paul used was the 'since this' — 'much more this…'. Before we became Christians we were said to not only to be ungodly (5:6) and sinners (5:8) but enemies of God and righteousness (Rom. 5:10). In this condition, Christ died for us (5:6, 8) and we were thus reconciled unto God (5:10).
Paul states this ‘much more’ aspect in verse 9. “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, MUCH MORE shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
He repeats this form of argument in verse 10 saying “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, MUCH MORE, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
The point Paul is making is that if God loved us THEN, He loves us MORE now; since God was willing to be merciful to us THEN, He is even more willing to be merciful now. Why would anyone think that God’s is more likely to condemn us now than then? It is not that there is no danger of someone turning away from God and being lost, rather, now that we are His children we have a ‘much more’ relationship with God. If God desired our repentance THEN, much more does He desire it NOW. If God was willing to forgive us THEN, much more is He willing to forgive NOW.
Jesus has died in order to save us, and now He lives in the presence of the Father to intercede as our mediator: “25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25) God loved us while we were enemies and now God LOVES us as His children. Let us not forget such love. Let us return this love by loving God with all our heart, soul, and might.
Hugh DeLong
