Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Romans: Chapter 5].
5:8 {His own love} (\t•n heautou agap•n\). See Joh 3:16 as the
best comment here. {While we were yet sinners} (\eti hamart•l•n
ont•n\). Genitive absolute again. Not because we were Jews or
Greeks, rich or poor, righteous or good, but plain sinners. Cf.
Lu 18:13, the plea of the publican, "\moi t•i hamart•l•i\."
5:9 {Much more then} (\poll•i oun mallon\). Argument from the
greater to the less. The great thing is the justification in
Christ's blood. The final salvation (\s•th•sometha\, future
passive indicative) is less of a mystery.
5:10 {We were reconciled to God} (\kat•llag•men t•i the•i\).
Second aorist passive indicative of \katallass•\ for which great
Pauline word see on ¯2Co 5:18f. The condition is the first
class. Paul does not conceive it as his or our task to reconcile
God to us. God has attended to that himself (Ro 3:25f.). We
become reconciled to God by means of the death of God's Son.
"Much more" again we shall be saved "by his life" (\en t•i z••i
autou\). "In his life," for he does live, "ever living to
intercede for them" (Heb 7:25).
5:11 {But also glorying in God} (\alla kai kauch•menoi en t•i
the•i\). Basis of all the exultation above (verses 1-5).
{Through whom we have now received the reconciliation} (\di hou
nun t•n katallag•n elabomen\). Second aorist active indicative of
\lamban•\, looked at as a past realization, "now" (\nun\) in
contrast with the future consummation and a sure pledge and
guarantee of it.
5:12 {Therefore} (\dia touto\). "For this reason." What reason?
Probably the argument made in verses 1-11, assuming our
justification and urging exultant joy in Christ because of the
present reconciliation by Christ's death and the certainty of
future final salvation by his life. {As through one man} (\h•sper
di' henos anthr•pou\). Paul begins a comparison between the
effects of Adam's sin and the effects of the redemptive work of
Christ, but he does not give the second member of the comparison.
Instead of that he discusses some problems about sin and death
and starts over again in verse 15. The general point is plain
that the effects of Adam's sin are transmitted to his
descendants, though he does not say how it was done whether by
the natural or the federal headship of Adam. It is important to
note that Paul does not say that the whole race receives the full
benefit of Christ's atoning death, but only those who do. Christ
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