Romans 4:25
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Romans 4:25 (KJV)
Context
In Romans 4, Paul explains justification by faith, using Abraham as the primary example. Romans 4:25 concludes this argument, summarizing how Christ’s death and resurrection secure our justification.
Meaning
The phrase “Who was delivered for our offences” refers to Jesus Christ. He was “delivered” or handed over to suffer and die on the cross for our sins. This delivery involved human agents—Judas, the chief priests, Pilate, and Roman soldiers—yet it was ultimately according to God’s determinate counsel and foreknowledge, and Christ willingly laid down His life (Acts 2:23; John 10:18). His death was an atonement for our offenses, bearing the penalty we deserved.
The second phrase, “and was raised again for our justification,” highlights the resurrection. After dying, Jesus was raised to life by the power of God. His resurrection is directly tied to our justification: it secures our being declared righteous before God. The resurrection is not merely proof of His deity but the means by which the benefits of His atoning death are applied to believers. His death pays for our offenses, and His resurrection secures our justification—two aspects of one saving work.
Justification is a key theological term in the New Testament. It refers to the act of God declaring a person righteous on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ. It is not earned through our own efforts or good works but is a gift of God’s grace (Romans 3:24). Through Jesus’ sacrifice, our sins are forgiven, and we are made right with God.
Biblical connections
The immediate context (Romans 4:23-24) emphasizes that righteousness is credited to those who believe in God, who raised Jesus from the dead, linking our faith to the resurrection. Isaiah 53:4-5 clarifies that Christ was delivered for our transgressions, while Romans 5:18 and 1 Corinthians 15:17 connect the resurrection to justification. These passages together show that justification is grounded in the historical events of Christ’s death and resurrection, not in human works.
Application
Romans 4:25 reminds us of the central message of the Christian faith: the sacrificial death of Jesus for our sins and His victorious resurrection. As believers, we are called to respond with faith and trust in Jesus. We receive salvation and justification through faith in Him alone, recognizing that our good works cannot save us. This verse invites us to place our faith in Him, experiencing forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life.
Reflection
Romans 4:25 encapsulates the essence of the Gospel: Christ’s death for our offenses and His resurrection for our justification. It assures us that our standing before God rests on what Christ has done, not on our own merit. This truth brings comfort and hope, calling us to trust in the finished work of Christ and to live in the freedom of being declared righteous.
