And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
What does Romans 5:4 mean?
A blessed change takes place in the sinner's state, when he becomes a true believer, whatever he has been. Being justified by faith he has peace with God.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Romans 5:1-5 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Romans 5:4
The word rendered "experience" (δοκιμην dokimen) means trial, testing, or that thorough examination by which we ascertain the quality or nature of a thing, as when we test a metal by fire, or in any other way, to ascertain that it is genuine. It also means approbations, or the result of such a trial; the being approved, and accepted as the effect of a trying process. The meaning is, that long afflictions borne patiently show a Christian what he is; they test his religion, and prove that it is genuine. Afflictions are often sent for this purpose, and patience in the midst of them shows that the religion which can sustain them is from God.
Key words
- experience
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experience.
Context in Romans 5
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Romans 5 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as justification and Abraham. Romans is Paul’s fullest sustained exposition of sin, grace, righteousness, faith, Israel, the Spirit, and transformed life in Christ. Read this chapter with the wider themes of justification, grace, and faith in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Passages on peace with God, peace in the heart, peace in community, and the biblical difference between true peace and false reassurance.
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