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Lenten Season · Third Sunday of Lent · Year A

If First Scrutiny of the Elect: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8

Hope That Does Not Disappoint

March 8, 2026

Job, Spanish
Job, Spanish, c. 1618–1630The Art Institute of Chicago
A Spanish Baroque study of the suffering man, stripped to the waist on a dark ground, painted with the unsparing naturalism of its school.We boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.SpanishUnattributed; a Spanish painting of the early seventeenth century whose author is not recorded.The Art Institute of ChicagoFounded in 1879 as both a museum and a school, and the home of American Gothic and of a famous Impressionist collection.The Art Institute of Chicago
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 4:5-42Jn 4:5-42 orJohn 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42Jn 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42Alt. GospelIf First Scrutiny of the Elect: John 4:5-42If First Scrutiny of the Elect: Jn 4:5-42 orJohn 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42Jn 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42
Second ReadingRom. 5:1-2, 5-8Rom 5:1-2, 5-8Alt. 2nd ReadingIf First Scrutiny of the Elect: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8If First Scrutiny of the Elect: Rom 5:1-2, 5-8
First ReadingExod. 17:3-7Ex 17:3-7Alt. 1st ReadingIf First Scrutiny of the Elect: Exodus 17:3-7If First Scrutiny of the Elect: Ex 17:3-7
Responsorial PsalmPs. 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 (8)Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 (8)Alt. PsalmIf First Scrutiny of the Elect: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 (8)If First Scrutiny of the Elect: Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 (8)

Overview & Insights

"Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Romans 5:5)

Having been justified by faith, Paul says believers now stand in peace with God rather than under judgment, and the hope this creates is not wishful thinking but a certainty grounded in what the Holy Spirit has already done within them. Paul proves the size of that love by pointing to its timing, Christ died for sinners while they were still sinners, not after they had cleaned themselves up.

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Take it further: If First Scrutiny of the Elect: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8

Commentary

Commentary on Romans 5:1-11Commentary on Rom 5:1-11 Working Preacher

A Luther Seminary commentary on the wider passage covering this Sunday's verses on peace, hope, and love.

Romans 5:1-8 CommentaryRom 5:1-8 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching commentary matching this Sunday's exact verse range.

Romans 5 Commentary: Benefits of Being JustifiedRom 5 Commentary: Benefits of Being Justified Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse by verse evangelical commentary on the peace, hope, and love described in this passage.

Romans 5:1-2 CommentaryRom 5:1-2 Commentary Precept Austin

A word study on justification and the peace with God it produces, opening this Sunday's reading.

Romans 5:5, classic commentatorsRom 5:5, classic commentators BibleHub

Barnes, Gill, and other historic commentators on love poured into the heart through the Spirit.

The Third Sunday of Lent, Year A Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Brant Pitre traces the theme of thirst and the outpoured love of God across all three readings of this Sunday.

Background & Word Study

Book of Romans Summary (Part 2)Book of Rom Summary (Part 2) BibleProject

An animated overview of Romans 5 onward, tracing how peace and hope follow from justification.

The Church Fathers

Romans 5:5, patristic commentaryRom 5:5, patristic commentary Catena

Patristic comment on the Spirit pouring God's love into the believer's heart.

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