What does Romans 4:25 mean?

Explanation

Romans 4:25 states: "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." This verse refers to Jesus Christ and summarizes two key tenets of Christian faith, atonement and resurrection.

The first part, "delivered for our offences," means that Jesus was handed over to suffer and die as a sacrifice because of human sins.

Essentially, this is highlighting the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, where Jesus bears the penalty for the sins of humanity.

The second part, "raised again for our justification," speaks to the belief that Jesus' resurrection was a vindication of His righteousness and serves as the basis for the justification, or being made righteous, of those who believe in Him.

Justification, in this context, is the act by which God declares a sinner to be righteous on the basis of Christ's righteousness.

Historical Context

Romans is an epistle written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian church in Rome around A.D. 57.

At that time, there were both Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome, and one of Paul's goals was to unify them in their faith and understanding of the gospel.

The epistle systematically lays out Paul's theological arguments, explaining the nature of sin, the role of the law, justification by faith, and the work of Christ.

Romans 4 deals with the justification by faith apart from works, using Abraham as an example of someone who was justified by faith before the Law of Moses was given.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse reiterates key Christian doctrines:

1. Atonement: Reflecting the belief that Christ's death atoned for human sins.
2. Resurrection: Affirming that Christ's resurrection is integral to the Christian faith.
3. Justification: Stating that believers are made righteous through Christ's resurrection.

These insights are crucial to understanding salvation in Christian theology.

Different Christian traditions may emphasize various aspects of these doctrines, with Protestants generally stressing justification by faith alone, while Catholics and Orthodox Christians also recognize the role of sacraments and the Church in the process of salvation.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of Romans 4:25 are profound for believers:

• Encouragement in faith, as believers are assured that their sins are forgiven due to Christ's sacrifice.
• Hope in the power of the resurrection, which promises eternal life and victory over sin and death.
• Motivation to live righteously, understanding that their justification should lead to transformation and holy living.

Believers might find solace and motivation in their own lives, recognizing that their righteousness before God does not depend on their works but on their faith in what Christ has accomplished.

Cross-References

• Isaiah 53:5 - "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
• 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."
• 1 Peter 3:18 - "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit."
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

Language Study

In the original Greek, "delivered" (παρεδόθη, paredothē) suggests being handed over or given up, implying intention rather than accident.

"Offences" (παραπτώματα, paraptōmata) refers to falls or transgressions, indicating the moral failing of humanity.

"Raised again" (ἐγήγερται, egēgertai) is in the perfect tense, suggesting a past action with continuing effect, signifying the enduring significance of the resurrection.

"Justification" (δικαίωσις, dikaiōsis) is the act of declaring someone righteous, a legal term reflecting a change in status before God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of a divine figure dying for the betterment of humankind draws comparisons with various ancient myths.

Figures like Osiris in Egyptian mythology, Tammuz in Mesopotamian traditions, and even Prometheus in Greek mythology endure suffering or death but differ significantly in purpose and context.

Unlike these myths, the Christian narrative presents Jesus' sacrifice as a unique, historical event with cosmic significance for the redemption of sins, rather than a cyclical or symbolic tale.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the concepts discussed in Romans 4:25 are matters of faith and do not directly intersect with empirical scientific methods.

The resurrection is a supernatural claim and is not subject to scientific validation or refutation.

Science deals with natural phenomena and processes, whereas the resurrection is considered a miraculous event in the Christian tradition.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have commented on Romans 4:25:

• John Stott, an Anglican cleric, emphasizes that the death and resurrection of Jesus are at the heart of the Christian gospel and that we cannot understand one without the other.
• N.T.

Wright, a New Testament scholar, points out that 'justification' here means that believers are declared to be in the right before God, and this is achieved through the resurrection of Jesus.

• Martin Luther famously interpreted the righteousness in this verse as "alien righteousness," a righteousness that originates outside of us from God through faith in Jesus Christ.
• Contemporary evangelical scholars, such as John Piper, stress the importance of faith alone for justification but also that such faith inevitably leads to transformative action and a change in life conduct.