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Lenten Season · Third Sunday of Lent · Year C

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

Peace and Joy

March 19, 2028

Christ Crucified, Diego Velázquez
Christ Crucified, Diego Velázquez, c. 1632Museo del Prado, Madrid
Velázquez gives the cross an empty, dark ground and no crowd at all: no soldiers, no mourners, nothing to look at but the body and the hair falling across the face.God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.Diego VelázquezCourt painter to Philip IV of Spain (1599-1660), and the one most often called a painter's painter. He painted less than most of his rank and left almost nothing unfinished.Museo del Prado, MadridSpain's national collection, formed from what the Spanish crown had bought over three centuries, which is why its Titians and Rubenses are unmatched.Museo del Prado, Madrid
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 13:1-9Lk 13:1-9Alt. 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 Reading1 Cor. 10:1-6, 10-121 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12Alt. 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. 3:1-8a, 13-15Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15Alt. 1st ReadingIf First Scrutiny of the Elect: Exodus 17:3-7If First Scrutiny of the Elect: Ex 17:3-7
Responsorial PsalmPs. 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11 (8a)Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11 (8a)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

“Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

Romans 5 has been much debated in terms of its context: does it belong with 1:18–4:25, or does it begin a new unit?1Most scholars today believe that although chapter 5 does connect back to 1:18–4:25 (since the topic of justification so pervasive there occurs also in 5:1, 9, 16–19, 21), it most likely begins a new unit that concludes in 8:39. Several arguments indicate that this is the case. First, the opening words of 5:1, “Since we have been justified by faith,” summarize the theme of 1:18–4:25 while preparing the way for a new topic. Second, the polemical tone of 1:18–4:25 is replaced in chapter 5 with one of camaraderie, signaled by Paul’s use of the first-person plural. Third, the prevalence of key vocabulary from Romans 1:17—“the righteous will live by faith”—indicates that a shift in focus occurs between 1:18–4:25 and 5:1–8:39.

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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

Lectionary commentary on the benefits of justification and hope that does not disappoint.

Romans 5 Commentary: Benefits of Being JustifiedRom 5 Commentary: Benefits of Being Justified Enduring Word

Evangelical verse-by-verse commentary on peace with God through faith.

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

Reformed preaching commentary on suffering, endurance and hope in the passage.

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

Detailed word study notes on justification and access to grace.

Romans 5 (Haydock Commentary)Rom 5 (Haydock Commentary) haydockcommentary.com

Catholic Haydock notes on peace with God through Christ.

Background & Word Study

Commentary on Romans 5 by Matthew HenryCommentary on Rom 5 by Mt Henry Blue Letter Bible

Classic exposition for background reading on the chapter.

Romans 5:1 InterlinearRom 5:1 Interlinear biblehub.com

Greek text and parsing for the passage's opening verse.

The Church Fathers

Thomas Aquinas on Romans 5:1Thomas Aquinas on Rom 5:1 Catena Bible

Passage-keyed patristic and medieval commentary on being justified by faith.

Sermons & Reflections

Romans 5:1-11 CommentaryRom 5:1-11 Commentary cepreaching.org

Reformed preaching commentary on hope born from suffering.

Romans 5:1-11 CommentaryRom 5:1-11 Commentary cepreaching.org

A second, differently dated commentary on the same reading, useful for a second angle.

Study Hub

Barnes' Notes on Romans 5Barnes' Notes on Rom 5 StudyLight

Classic verse-by-verse notes on the chapter, useful for close reading.

Romans 5Rom 5 biblehub.com

Aggregator chapter page linking multiple commentaries.

Questions preachers ask

What does justification by faith give?

Being justified, we have peace with God, and even suffering produces hope, for God shows his love in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

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