Romans 5:11
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Romans 5:11 (KJV)
Context
Paul writes to believers in Rome, explaining the blessings that come through justification by faith in Jesus Christ. This verse builds directly on Romans 5:8-10, where Paul states that Christ died for us while we were still sinners, that we are justified by His blood, and that we are reconciled to God by the death of His Son.
Meaning
Paul begins with “And not only so,” signaling that he is adding a further privilege to those already listed. Believers are not only reconciled and saved from wrath, but they also joy in God Himself. The Greek word underlying “joy” (kauchōmenoi) carries the sense of boasting or exulting, and here it is directed toward God, not in oneself. This is not a natural human emotion but a settled gladness and glorying in God as their covenant God and Father in Christ. Believers rejoice in God’s existence, attributes, justice, holiness, mercy, truth, and love.
The means of this joy is explicitly “through our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is not through the light of nature, the law of Moses, works of righteousness, angels, or saints, but through Christ alone. It is only in and through Him that God is a covenant God and Father to believers, that His glorious perfections are seen favorably, and that all blessings of grace are conveyed.
The verse closes with the phrase “by whom we have now received the atonement.” In the King James Version, “atonement” here translates the Greek word katallagēn, which is more accurately rendered “reconciliation” in most modern translations. This reconciliation is a present, received reality for believers, accomplished through Christ’s death. Because the enmity caused by sin has been removed through Christ’s sacrifice, believers can now approach God with confidence and rejoice in Him. The verse emphasizes that this joy is not a future hope only but a present experience: “we have now received” it.
Biblical connections
The verse presents a progression of blessings through faith: justification, peace, access to grace, hope, and now joy in God Himself, all through the Lord Jesus Christ. The atonement is the ground of the believer’s joy in God. As one commentary notes, believers not only reach heaven but go to heaven triumphantly, not only get into the harbor but come in with full sail.
Application
Rejoice in your relationship with God: As a believer, you can find joy in your restored relationship with God. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and express your joy through praise, thanksgiving, and worship.
Focus on Jesus Christ: Recognize Jesus Christ as the source of your joy and the mediator of your relationship with God. Seek to deepen your understanding of His sacrificial death and resurrection, which made reconciliation possible.
Reflect on the atonement: Take time to reflect on the significance of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for your life. Recognize the forgiveness and reconciliation you have received through His death. This reflection can foster a deeper appreciation for God’s grace and love.
Share your joy: As you experience joy in your relationship with God, share that joy with others. Your transformed life can serve as a testimony to others, inviting them to experience the same joy through faith in Jesus Christ.
Reflection
The believer’s joy in God is a direct consequence of the reconciliation accomplished by Christ. Because the enmity caused by sin has been removed, believers can now approach God with confidence and rejoice in Him. This joy is a triumph, a present experience of gladness in God Himself, made possible only through the Lord Jesus Christ.
