Romans 5:6
For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
For at just the right time
This phrase emphasizes God's perfect timing in the unfolding of His redemptive plan. The Greek word used here is "κατὰ καιρὸν" (kata kairon), which implies a divinely appointed moment. Historically, this was a period when the Roman Empire had established peace (Pax Romana), facilitating the spread of the Gospel. Spiritually, it signifies God's sovereignty and wisdom, orchestrating events in history to fulfill His purposes. This timing was not random but meticulously planned, reflecting God's omniscience and His deep love for humanity.

while we were still powerless
The term "powerless" translates from the Greek "ἀσθενῶν" (asthenon), meaning weak or without strength. This highlights humanity's inability to save itself or to live righteously apart from divine intervention. In a spiritual sense, it underscores the total depravity and helplessness of mankind due to sin. Historically, it reflects the state of humanity under the Law, unable to achieve righteousness through their own efforts. This powerlessness sets the stage for the necessity of divine grace and intervention.

Christ died
The centrality of Christ's sacrificial death is underscored here. The Greek "Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν" (Christos apethanen) points to the historical and pivotal event of the crucifixion. This act is the ultimate demonstration of God's love and justice, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and typologies of the sacrificial system. Theologically, it signifies the substitutionary atonement, where Christ took upon Himself the penalty for sin, offering redemption to all who believe.

for the ungodly
The word "ungodly" comes from the Greek "ἀσεβῶν" (asebon), meaning irreverent or impious. This term describes those who are morally and spiritually opposed to God. It is a stark reminder of the depth of human sinfulness and the extent of God's grace. Historically, it includes both Jews and Gentiles, emphasizing the universality of sin and the need for salvation. This phrase highlights the radical nature of God's love, extending grace to those who are least deserving, showcasing the transformative power of the Gospel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Christ
The central figure of Christianity, Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth to offer salvation through His death and resurrection.

2. The Ungodly
Refers to humanity in its sinful state, separated from God and unable to save itself.

3. Paul
The Apostle who authored the Book of Romans, addressing the early Christian church in Rome.

4. The Roman Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, consisting of both Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome.

5. The Crucifixion
The event where Jesus was crucified, which is the pivotal act of redemption for Christians.
Teaching Points
The Timing of God's Plan
God's timing is perfect. He sent Christ at the right moment in history, demonstrating His sovereignty and wisdom.

Human Powerlessness
Recognize our inability to save ourselves. We are spiritually powerless without Christ, emphasizing our need for a Savior.

Christ's Sacrificial Love
Reflect on the depth of Christ's love, dying for us while we were still sinners. This should inspire gratitude and worship.

The Universality of Sin
Understand that all humanity is ungodly without Christ. This truth should motivate us to share the gospel with others.

Living in Response to Grace
Live a life that reflects the grace we've received. Our actions should be a response to the love and sacrifice of Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding our powerlessness before God change the way we view our need for salvation?

2. In what ways can we see God's perfect timing in our own lives, similar to how He sent Christ at the right time?

3. How does the sacrificial love of Christ challenge us to love others, especially those who may seem undeserving?

4. What are some practical ways we can share the message of Romans 5:6 with those who do not yet know Christ?

5. How can reflecting on our ungodly state before knowing Christ deepen our appreciation for His grace and motivate us to live differently?
Connections to Other Scriptures
John 3:16
This verse highlights God's love for the world and His provision of salvation through Jesus, connecting to the sacrificial nature of Christ's death.

Ephesians 2:1-5
Discusses humanity's state of being dead in sin and God's grace in making us alive with Christ, paralleling the idea of being powerless and ungodly.

1 Peter 3:18
Emphasizes Christ's suffering for the unrighteous to bring us to God, reinforcing the purpose of His death for the ungodly.

Isaiah 53:5
The prophecy of the suffering servant who was pierced for our transgressions, foretelling Christ's sacrificial death.

Galatians 4:4-5
Speaks of God sending His Son at the right time to redeem those under the law, echoing the timing mentioned in Romans 5:6.
The Old, Old StoryCharles Haddon Spurgeon Romans 5:6
The State of the JustifiedR.M. Edgar Romans 5:1-11
The Great LoveT.F. Lockyer Romans 5:6-8
The Love of God CommendedC.H. Irwin Romans 5:6-11
A Weak World Made StrongD. Thomas, D. D.Romans 5:6-12
Christ's Vicarious DeathAmerican Youth's CompanionRomans 5:6-12
For Whom Did Christ DieC. H. Spurgeon.Romans 5:6-12
Glorying in GodRomans 5:6-12
Man's Impotency to Help Himself Out of His MiseryRomans 5:6-12
The Certainty of the Believer's Final RedemptionH. Hughes.Romans 5:6-12
The Sad Plight and the Sure ReliefC. H. Spurgeon.Romans 5:6-12
Without StrengthA. Raleigh, D. D.Romans 5:6-12
People
Adam, Paul, Romans
Places
Rome
Topics
Ailing, Already, Christ, Die, Died, Due, Evil-doers, Helpless, Impious, Moment, Season, Strength, Ungodly, Weak, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Romans 5:6

     2027   Christ, grace and mercy
     4903   time
     4915   completion
     4945   history
     5048   opportunities, and salvation
     5454   power, God's saving
     6027   sin, remedy for
     6752   substitution
     8224   dependence
     8301   love, and enemies
     8358   weakness, physical

Romans 5:6-8

     2530   Christ, death of
     6669   grace, and salvation
     6717   reconciliation, world to God
     8356   unselfishness
     8710   atheism
     8846   ungodliness

Romans 5:6-9

     6617   atonement, in NT

Romans 5:6-10

     6712   propitiation

Library
March 20. "They which Receive Abundance of Grace and the Gift of Righteousness Shall Reign in Life" (Rom. v. 17).
"They which receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life" (Rom. v. 17). Precious souls sometimes fight tremendous battles in order to attain to righteousness in trying places. Perhaps the heart has become wrong in some matter where temptation has been allowed to overcome, or at least to turn it aside from its singleness unto God; and the conflict is a terrible one as it seeks to adjust itself and be right with God, and finds itself baffled by its own spiritual foes,
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Death by Adam, Life by Christ
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. F rom Mr. Handel's acknowledged abilities as a composer, and particularly from what I have heard of his great taste and success in adapting the style of his music to the subject, I judge, that this passage afforded him a fair occasion of displaying his genius and powers. Two ideas, vastly important in themselves, are here represented in the strongest light,
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Let us have Peace
'Let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.'--ROMANS v. 1. (R.V.). In the rendering of the Revised Version, 'Let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,' the alteration is very slight, being that of one letter in one word, the substitution of a long 'o' for a short one. The majority of manuscripts of authority read 'let us have,' making the clause an exhortation and not a statement. I suppose the reason why, in some inferior MSS., the statement takes the place of the
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Access into Grace
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand.'--ROMANS v. 2. I may be allowed to begin with a word or two of explanation of the terms of this passage. Note then, especially, that also which sends us back to the previous clause, and tells us that our text adds something to what was spoken of there. What was spoken of there? 'The peace of God' which comes to a man by Jesus Christ through faith, the removal of enmity, and the declaration of righteousness. But that peace
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Warring Queens
'As sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.'--ROMANS v. 21. I am afraid this text will sound to some of you rather unpromising. It is full of well-worn terms, 'sin,' 'death,' 'grace,' 'righteousness,' 'eternal life,' which suggest dry theology, if they suggest anything. When they welled up from the Apostle's glowing heart they were like a fiery lava-stream. But the stream has cooled, and, to a good many of us, they
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

A Threefold Cord
'And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.'--ROMANS v. 5. We have seen in former sermons that, in the previous context, the Apostle traces Christian hope to two sources: one, the series of experiences which follow 'being justified by faith' and the other, those which follow on trouble rightly borne. Those two golden chains together hold up the precious jewel of hope. But a chain that is to bear a weight must have a
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

What Proves God's Love
'God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.'--ROMANS v. 8. We have seen in previous sermons on the preceding context that the Apostle has been tracing various lines of sequence, all of which converge upon Christian hope. The last of these pointed to the fact that the love of God, poured into a heart like oil into a lamp, brightened that flame; and having thus mentioned the great Christian revelation of God as love, Paul at once passes to emphasise
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Sources of Hope
'We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4. And patience, experience; and experience, hope.'--ROMANS v. 2-4. We have seen in a previous sermon that the Apostle in the foregoing context is sketching a grand outline of the ideal Christian life, as all rooted in 'being justified by faith,' and flowering into 'peace with God,' 'access into grace,' and a firm stand against all antagonists and would-be masters.
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

God's Love Magnified in Christ's Death.
(Good Friday, 1832.) TEXT: ROM. v. 7, 8. IN the whole passage from which these words are taken the apostle is trying to convince his readers that it is only through Christ that we come into right relations with God. He begins by saying, Let us have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ; and so let us rejoice in the glory that God is to give; nay, more, let us rejoice in tribulation also. He goes on to say that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit; and then he continues
Friedrich Schleiermacher—Selected Sermons of Schleiermacher

Law and Grace
I shall consider this text in two senses this morning. First, as it respects the world at large and the entrance of the law into it; and then afterwards, as respecting the heart of the convinced sinner, and the entrance of the law into the conscience. I. First, we shall speak of the text as CONCERNING THE WORLD. The object of God in sending the law into the world was "that the offence might abound." But then comes the gospel, for "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." First, then, in reference
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

Love's Commendation
"No big words of ready talkers, No fine boastings will suffice; Broken hearts and humble walkers, These are dear in Jesus' eyes." Let us imitate God, then, in this. If we would commend our religion to mankind, we cannot do it by mere formalities, but by gracious acts of integrity, charity and forgiveness, which are the proper discoveries of grace within. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." "Let your conversation be such
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

For whom did Christ Die?
While man is in this condition Jesus interposes for his salvation. "When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly"; "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us," according to "his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses and sins." The pith of my sermon will be an endeavour to declare that the reason of Christ's dying for us did not lie in our excellence; but where sin abounded grace did much more abound, for the persons for whom Jesus
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 20: 1874

Sin and Grace
"Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound."--Romans 5:20. THERE are two very powerful forces in the world, which have been here ever since the time when Eve partook of the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden. Those two forces are sin and grace. A very great power is sin, a power dark, mysterious, baleful, but full of force. The sorrows of mankind, whence came they but from sin? We should have known no war, nor pestilence, nor famine, nor would aught of sickness or sorrow ever have smitten
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 54: 1908

Justification by Faith
"Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ."--Romans 5:1. WE DESIRE this evening not to preach upon this text as a mere matter of doctrine. You all believe and understand the gospel of justification by faith, but we want to preach upon it tonight as a matter of experience, as a thing realized, felt, enjoyed, and understood in the soul. I trust there are many here who not only know that men may be saved and justified by faith, but who can say in their
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 60: 1914

The Old, Old Story
It is somewhat singular, but just as they say fish go bad at the head first, so modern divines generally go bad first upon the head and main doctrine of the substitutionary work of Christ. Nearly all our modern errors, I might say all of them, begin with mistakes about Christ. Men do not like to be always preaching the same thing., There are Athenians in the pulpit as well as in the pew who spend their time in nothing but hearing some new thing. They are not content to tell over and over again the
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 8: 1863

Good Friday.
God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. We all remember the story in the Gospel, of the different treatment which our Lord met with in the same house, from the Pharisee, who had invited him into it, and from the woman who came in and knelt at his feet, and kissed them, and bathed them with her tears. Our Lord accounted for the difference in these words, "To whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little;" which means to speak of the sense or
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

"Now the End of the Commandment," &C.
1 Tim. i. 5.--"Now the end of the commandment," &c. Fifthly, Faith purging the conscience, and purifying the heart, works by love. Love is the fruit of faith. Love is the stream that flows out of a pure heart and a good conscience. By love, we mean principally love to God, or Jesus Christ, and then love to the saints next to our Saviour. This is often mentioned in scripture, "Hope maketh not ashamed, (Rom. v. 5) because the love of God is shed abroad in your hearts by the Holy Ghost." This love
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Wesley -- God's Love to Fallen Man
John Wesley was born at Epworth rectory in Lincolnshire, England, in 1703. He was educated at Charterhouse school and in 1720 entered Christ Church College, Oxford, where he graduated in 1724. He was noted for his classical taste as well as for his religious fervor, and on being ordained deacon by Bishop Potter, of Oxford, he became his father's curate in 1727. Being recalled to Oxford to fulfil his duties as fellow of Lincoln he became the head of the Oxford "Methodists," as they were called. He
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 3

Evans -- the Fall and Recovery of Man
Christmas Evans, a Welsh Baptist preacher, was born at Isgaerwen, Cardiganshire, South Wales, in 1766. Brought up as a Presbyterian, he turned Baptist in 1788, and was ordained the following year and ministered among the Baptists in Carmaerthenshire. In 1792 he became a sort of bishop to those of his denomination in Anglesey, where he took up his residence. After a somewhat stormy experience with those he undertook to rule, he removed to Carmaerthen in 1832. He distinguished himself by his debt-raising
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 3

Whyte -- Experience
Alexander Whyte, senior minister of St. George's Free Church, Edinburgh, was born at Kirriemuir (Thrums), Scotland, in 1837. He was educated at Aberdeen University (M.A., 1862), and at New College, Edinburgh (1862-66), and after being assistant minister of Free St. John's, Glasgow, from 1866 to 1870, became at first assistant minister, and later (1873) minister, of Free St. George's, Edinburgh, a position which be still retains, having had there an uninterrupted success. He is the author of a number
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 8

"And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Prayer and Trouble (Continued)
"My first message for heavenly relief went singing over millions of miles of space in 1869, and brought relief to my troubled heart. But, thanks be to Him, I have received many delightful and helpful answers during the last fifty years. I would think the commerce of the skies had gone into bankruptcy if I did not hear frequently, since I have learned how to ask and how to receive."--H. W. Hodge In the New Testament there are three words used which embrace trouble. These are tribulation, suffering
Edward M. Bounds—The Essentials of Prayer

Our Guilt.
"Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."--Rom. v. 12. Sin and guilt belong together, but may not be confounded or considered synonymous, any more than sanctification and righteousness. It is true guilt rests upon every sin, and in every sin there is guilt, yet the two must be kept distinct. There is a difference between the blaze and the blackened spot upon the wall caused by it; long after the blaze is out
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Work of Grace a Unit.
"Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us."-- Rom. v. 5. The final end of all God's ways is that He may be all in all. He can not cease from working until He has entered the souls of individual men. He thirsts after the creature's love. In man's love for God He desires to see the virtues of His own love glorified. And love must spring from man's personal being, which has its seat in the heart. The work of grace exhibited in the eternal counsel
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

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