Romans 5 marks a transition. Paul has been formulating his theological argument around sin and justification which continues throughout the first half of this chapter. He then moves into a new theme that centers on the antithesis of life and death. You can easily spot the transition if you have headers in your Bible. The first half is Peace with God Through Faith and the second half is Death in Adam, Life in Christ.
Consider what the readers of this letter may have been wondering. It seems like the two most pressing issues we deal with as humans are, “How can I overcome my sin?” and “How can I overcome death?” Paul nails both of these topics head-on in Romans 5
Romans 5:1 is a beautiful and concise summary of what Paul has been arguing for 4 chapters. We can only be justified by faith, and when we are, we find peace with God. Our sin is paid by Jesus and there is nothing that separates us from His presence. You cannot overcome your sin, but Jesus already did.
Next, Paul tackles the threat of death to the sinner. If sin has been paid, what happens at death?
Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:20-21 ESV
Sin leads to death, but because grace abounded, Christ’s righteousness leads us to eternal life!
“This is the profoundest and most fundamental section of the whole Epistle. It contains an insight into the deep things of God, 1Co 2:10. We must read it slowly and thoughtfully many times in order to catch its drift.”
F.B. Meyer