Lux Domini
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.

What does Romans 5:5 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

LoveFaithHopePeaceJustification

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Keep this verse inside Romans 5:1-5 and alongside a few nearby related passages.

Commentary on Romans 5:5

And hope maketh not ashamed - That is, this hope will not disappoint, or deceive. When we hope for an object which we do not obtain, we are conscious of disappointment; perhaps sometimes of a feeling of shame. But the apostle says that the Christian hope is such that it will be fulfilled; it will not disappoint; what we hope for we shall certainly obtain; see Philippians 1:20 . The expression used here is probably taken from Psalm 22:4-5 ; Our fathers trusted in thee; They trusted; and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, And were delivered; They trusted in thee, And were not confounded (ashamed). Because the love of God - Love toward God.

Key words

the love of God

the love of God.

maketh

And hope maketh not ashamed,.

ashamed

And hope maketh not ashamed,.

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.

justificationgracefaithsin

Explore by topic

Bible verses about love

A guided collection of passages on God’s love, neighbor-love, steadfast covenant love, and the shape of love in Christian life.

Bible verses about faith

Passages on trusting God, receiving Christ, persevering without sight, and the relation between faith and lived obedience.

Bible verses about hope

A collection of passages on hope under pressure, future inheritance, resurrection expectation, and confidence in God’s final faithfulness.

Bible verses about peace

Passages on peace with God, peace in the heart, peace in community, and the biblical difference between true peace and false reassurance.