ὑπὲρ ἀσεβῶν ἀπέθανεν … πολλῷ μᾶλλον … κατηλλάγημεν (5:6–11)
Says While we were ἀσθενῶν (asthenōn, "powerless") and ἁμαρτωλῶν (hamartōlōn, "sinners"), Christ died ὑπὲρ ἀσεβῶν (hyper asebōn, "for the ungodly"), the ἀσεβής of 4:5 (text: var.Rom.5.6.eti-gar; var.Rom.5.6.eti). God συνίστησιν (synistēsin, "proves"; Abbott-Smith "to show, prove") his love (5:8). Substitution and propitiation are treated in note.exegetical.Rom.3.25.hilasterion-propitiation and note.language.Rom.3.25.hilasterion.
Uncertain δικαίου … τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ (5:7). This note leans to two persons: hardly (μόλις) for an upright man, perhaps (τάχα) for "the good man," a benefactor. Grounds: the article, and the γάρ that qualifies the first clause. The alternative takes the clauses as synonymous, the second restating the first.
Says 5:9–10 argue πολλῷ μᾶλλον (pollō mallon, "much more"): justified ἐν τῷ αἵματι αὐτοῦ, reconciled as ἐχθροί (echthroi, "enemies") through his death, we σωθησόμεθα (sōthēsometha, "shall be saved") from wrath (note.language.Rom.1.18.orge-theou). καταλλάσσω (katallassō), of persons changing from enmity to friendship, is "to reconcile" (Abbott-Smith); God reconciles, and we receive the καταλλαγή (5:11).
Implies Those now justified will be saved from wrath: if God did the harder thing for enemies, he will finish it for the reconciled. Perseverance as a doctrine is left to the exegetical notes.
Uncertain ἐν τῇ ζωῇ αὐτοῦ (5:10). This note leans to "through his life," the risen life (Abbott-Smith lists Rom 5:10 under "the life of one risen"). Grounds: the parallel διὰ τοῦ θανάτου; 4:25; 8:34. The alternative is "in his life," sharing it (6:4–11).
Claims
- SaysWhile we were powerless and sinners, Christ died for the ungodly, and God proves his love by it (5:6–8).
- UncertainWhether δίκαιος and ὁ ἀγαθός in 5:7 are different persons (lean; the article, μόλις against τάχα, the qualifying γάρ) or synonyms (alternative; the second clause restating the first).
- SaysJustified by his blood and reconciled as enemies through his death, much more shall we be saved from wrath and through his life; God reconciles, and we receive the reconciliation (5:9–11).
- ImpliesThose now justified will be saved from wrath, the argument running from God's harder act for enemies to the lesser for the reconciled (5:9–10).
- UncertainWhether ἐν τῇ ζωῇ αὐτοῦ is instrumental, 'through his (risen) life' (lean; the parallel διὰ τοῦ θανάτου; 4:25; 8:34), or 'in his life' (alternative; 6:4–11).
Citations
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Abbott-Smith public domain s.v. συνίστημι (Ro 3:5 5:8) —
to show, prove
- Abbott-Smith public domain s.v. μόλις; s.v. τάχα (Ro 5:7)
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Abbott-Smith public domain s.v. καταλλάσσω (Ro 5:10) —
to reconcile
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Abbott-Smith public domain s.v. ζωή (Ro 5:10) —
of the life of one risen from the dead
- BSB public domain Rom 5:6-11
2026-10-30
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