Romans 4:25
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Romans 4:25
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Chapter Context
Romans 4 is a theological epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of redemption, grace, righteousness. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 57 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Christians in Rome navigated tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers under imperial watch.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-25: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides essential context for understanding God's covenant relationship with His people. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Romans and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Romans 4:25
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Analysis
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Paul concludes with a compact creedal statement about Christ's saving work. Hos paredothē (ὃς παρεδόθη, "who was delivered") uses the divine passive—God delivered up His Son (cf. 8:32, echoing Isaac's near-sacrifice). The preposition dia ta paraptōmata hēmōn (διὰ τὰ παραπτώματα ἡμῶν, "because of our trespasses") indicates cause: Christ was delivered to death on account of our sins, as their punishment and payment. Paraptōma (παράπτωμα) means false step, deviation from the path—our violations of God's law.
The second clause provides the positive side: ēgerthē dia tēn dikaiōsin hēmōn (ἠγέρθη διὰ τὴν δικαίωσιν ἡμῶν, "He was raised because of our justification"). Again dia (διά) with accusative indicates purpose or result: the resurrection accomplished or vindicated our justification. Christ's death paid sin's penalty; His resurrection declares the payment accepted, the work finished, and believers justified. Both death and resurrection are necessary—the cross without resurrection would be martyrdom without vindication, the empty tomb without atonement would be powerless for salvation. Together they constitute the gospel that justifies all who believe, as Abraham believed.
Historical Context
This verse contains what scholars recognize as an early Christian credal formula, possibly pre-Pauline. The parallelism (delivered/raised, our offenses/our justification) suggests liturgical origin. For Jewish Christians, the claim that the crucified Messiah's death was 'for our offenses' fulfilled Isaiah 53's Suffering Servant. For Gentile Christians, it established that Jesus's death was not tragic failure but purposeful sacrifice. The resurrection proved both the Father's acceptance of the Son's work and the efficacy of His atonement.
Reflection
- How do Christ's death and resurrection work together to accomplish justification, and what would be missing if we had one without the other?
- Why does Paul frame both Christ's death and resurrection with the passive voice ('was delivered,' 'was raised'), and what does this reveal?
- How does this verse's emphasis on Christ's resurrection 'for our justification' fulfill the chapter's theme of God giving life to the dead?
Cross-References
- Resurrection: 1 Corinthians 15:17
- Righteousness: 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18
- Parallel theme: Romans 8:3, Matthew 20:28, Galatians 1:4, Ephesians 5:2, 1 John 2:2, Revelation 1:5