Faith Triumphs

5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,^(A) we have peace^[a] with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(B) 2} We have also obtained access through him^(C) by faith^[b] into this grace in which we stand,^(D) and we boast^[c] in the hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that,^(E) but we also boast in our afflictions,^(F) because we know that affliction produces endurance,^{(G) 4} endurance produces proven character,^(H) and proven character produces hope. ⁵ This hope will not disappoint us,^(I) because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts^(J) through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The Justified Are Reconciled

⁶ For while we were still helpless, at the right time,^(K) Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. ⁸ But God proves^(L) his own love for us^(M) in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood,^(N) will we be saved through him from wrath.^{(O) 10} For if, while we were enemies,^(P) we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.^{(Q) 11} And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.^(R)

Death through Adam and Life through Christ

¹² Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man,^(S) and death through sin,^(T) in this way death spread to all people,^(U) because all sinned.^{[d] 13} In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law.^{(V) 14} Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression.^(W) He is a type of the Coming One.^(X)

¹⁵ But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man^(Y) Jesus Christ overflowed to the many. ¹⁶ And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment,^(Z) resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification.^{[e] 17} If by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life^(AA) through the one man, Jesus Christ.

¹⁸ So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life^(AB) for everyone. ¹⁹ For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners,^(AC) so also through the one man’s obedience^(AD) the many will be made righteous. ²⁰ The law came along to multiply the trespass.^(AE) But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more^{(AF) 21} so that, just as sin reigned in death,^(AG) so also grace will reign^(AH) through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Our Future after Death

5 For we know that if our earthly tent we live in^(A) is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens,^(B) not made with hands.^{(C) 2} Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring^(D) to put on our heavenly dwelling, ³ since, when we are clothed,^[a] we will not be found naked.^{(E) 4} Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality^(F) may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

⁶ So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith,^(G) not by sight.^{(H) 8} In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.^{(I) 9} Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing^(J) to him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat^(K) of Christ,^(L) so that each may be repaid^(M) for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

¹¹ Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord,^(N) we try to persuade people. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your consciences. ¹² We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in outward appearance rather than in the heart. ¹³ For if we are out of our mind,^(O) it is for God; if we are in our right mind,^(P) it is for you. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all,^(Q) and therefore all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all^(R) so that those who live should no longer live for themselves,^(S) but for the one^(T) who died for them and was raised.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹⁶ From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective.^[b] Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective,^[c] yet now we no longer know him in this way. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;^(U) the old has passed away, and see,^(V) the new has^[d] come!^{(W) 18} Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.^{(X) 19} That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world^(Y) to himself,^(Z) not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors^(AA) for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf,^(AB) “Be reconciled to God.” ²¹ He made the one who did not know sin^(AC) to be sin^[e] for us,^(AD) so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

From Death to Life

2 And you were dead^(A) in your trespasses and sins ² in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,^(B) according to the ruler of the power of the air,^(C) the spirit^(D) now working in the disobedient.^{[a] 3} We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly^(E) desires, carrying out the inclinations^(F) of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath^(G) as the others were also. ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy,^(H) because of his great love^(I) that he had for us,^{[b] 5} made us alive^(J) with Christ even though we were dead^(K) in trespasses. You are saved by grace! ⁶ He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,^{(L) 7} so that in the coming ages^(M) he might display the immeasurable riches^(N) of his grace through his kindness^(O) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For you are saved by grace^(P) through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— ⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created^(Q) in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time^(R) for us to do.

Unity in Christ

¹¹ So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,”^(S) which is done in the flesh by human hands.^{(T) 12} At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise,^(U) without hope^(V) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood^(W) of Christ. ¹⁴ For he is our peace, who made both groups one^(X) and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, ¹⁵ he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create^(Y) in himself one^(Z) new man from the two, resulting in peace. ¹⁶ He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body^(AA) through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.^{[c] 17} He came and proclaimed the good news^(AB) of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(AC) 18} For through him we both have access^(AD) in one Spirit to the Father.^{(AE) 19} So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,^(AF) with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. ²¹ In him the whole building, being put together,^(AG) grows into a holy temple in the Lord.^{(AH) 22} In him you are also being built together^(AI) for God’s dwelling^(AJ) in the Spirit.

Christian Living among Outsiders

3 Remind them to submit^(A) to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, ² to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness^(B) to all people. ³ For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions^(C) and pleasures,^(D) living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

⁴ But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared,^{(E) 5} he saved us^(F)—not by works of righteousness that we had done,^(G) but according to his mercy^(H)—through the washing of regeneration^(I) and renewal by the Holy Spirit.^{(J) 6} He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly^(K) through Jesus Christ our Savior ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace,^(L) we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.^{(M) 8} This saying is trustworthy.^(N) I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. ⁹ But avoid foolish debates,^(O) genealogies,^(P) quarrels,^(Q) and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless. ¹⁰ Reject a divisive^(R) person after a first and second warning.^{(S) 11} For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.

Final Instructions and Closing

¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you,^(T) make every effort to come to me^(U) in Nicopolis, because I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos^(V) on their journey, so that they will lack^(W) nothing.

¹⁴ Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.^{(X) 15} All those who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.^(Y)