Romans 5:1-5: a reflection

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.

Having been justified by faith, Paul says, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and we rejoice in hope. And then he says something surprising: we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope doesn't disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Suffering is not meaningless; God works through it a chain of good, producing perseverance, character, and hope, all secured by his love poured into our hearts.

Notice why Paul can rejoice even in suffering: because God works good through it. Suffering, he says, produces perseverance; perseverance produces proven character; and character produces hope, a hope that does not disappoint, because it rests on God's love poured into our hearts. God does not waste our suffering; he works through it, forging perseverance, character, and hope. And the whole is grounded in the assurance of God's love, which the Spirit has poured into our hearts. So Paul can rejoice even in suffering, knowing what God works through it.

That is worth taking to heart, for our own sufferings can seem meaningless, and we can despair in them. When we suffer, we can see no purpose in it, only pain, and be tempted to despair; but Paul says God works through our suffering a chain of good, perseverance, character, hope, all secured by his love. Your suffering is not meaningless; God is working through it to produce perseverance, character, and hope in you, and the whole rests on his love, poured into your heart by the Spirit. When you suffer, do not despair as though it were meaningless; God works through suffering to forge perseverance, character, and a hope that does not disappoint. Rejoice, even in suffering, in what God works through it, resting on the assurance of his love poured into your heart, as Paul rejoiced in sufferings, knowing that God works through them perseverance, character, and hope, secured by his love, which does not disappoint.

Lord, having been justified by faith, Paul says, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and we rejoice in hope. And then he says something surprising: we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope doesn't disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Suffering is not meaningless; you work through it a chain of good, all secured by your love poured into our hearts. Show me why Paul can rejoice even in suffering: because you work good through it. Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, proven character; and character, hope, a hope that does not disappoint, because it rests on your love poured into our hearts. You do not waste my suffering; you work through it, forging perseverance, character, and hope. And the whole is grounded in the assurance of your love. Take that to my heart, for my own sufferings can seem meaningless, and I can despair in them. When I suffer, I can see no purpose in it, only pain, and be tempted to despair; but Paul says you work through my suffering a chain of good, all secured by your love. My suffering is not meaningless; you are working through it to produce perseverance, character, and hope in me, and the whole rests on your love, poured into my heart by the Spirit. When I suffer, keep me from despairing as though it were meaningless; you work through suffering to forge perseverance, character, and a hope that does not disappoint. Help me rejoice, even in suffering, Lord, in what you work through it, resting on the assurance of your love poured into my heart.