During Pastor Mark’s message this morning–which was a great one–he mentioned the connection between Romans 5 and Romans 8. Whereas some might use the language of bookends for these two chapters, he more aptly described Romans 5 as the foothills of Romans 8. As we noticed this morning, as we ascend up Romans 5 we’re stunned by the heights of glorious truth only to catch a glimpse of the towering mountain called Romans 8 just ahead. You could give me either chapter to live on and I think I’d be okay.
For those of you interested in studying the connection here are some of the verbal and thematic connections. Douglas Moo says both sections affirm, “against the threat of tribulation and suffering, the certainty of the Christian’s final salvation because of God’s love, the work of Christ, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This theme, the ‘hope of sharing in God’s glory’ (cf. 5:2 and 8:18, 30), ‘brackets’ all of chaps. 5-8.”[1] I’d encourage you to read each chapter and notice the connections as well as what’s different in each section.
Verbal Links
“justified” 5:1, 9 & 8:30 (x2), 33
“glory” 5:2 & 8:18, 21, 30
“time” 5:6 & 8:18
“tribulations” 5:3 (x2) & 8:35
“heart” 5:5 & 8:27
“love” 5:5, 8 & 8:35, 39
“hope” 5:2, 4, 5 & 8:20, 24 (x4), 25
“patient endurance” 5:3, 4 & 8:25
“saved” 5:9, 10 & 8:24
idea of on behalf of 5:6, 7, 8 & 8:27, 31, 32, 34
Thematic Connections[2]
God’s love for us 5:5, 8 & 8:31-32, 35-39
Death of Christ 5:6, 8 & 8:32, 34
Blessing of Holy Spirit 5:5 & 8:23, 26-27
Present Suffering 5:3-4 & 8:18-25
Future Glorification 5:3-4 & 8:18-25
Footnotes
[1] Douglas Moo, Romans (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996), 293.
[2] These connections were taken from both Dr. David Rim’s class notes on Romans (MBI) and Douglas Moo’s chart on 293.
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