Romans 5:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

That is, so that there might be not simply forgiveness of sins and reconciliation alone, but that we might receive countless dignities. Even with these He did not stop, but promised other ineffable good things, surpassing mind and word. Therefore the Apostle indicated both kinds of gifts. By the word “grace” he signified the present gifts we have received. By the words “and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God,” he revealed to us all the future gifts. And he said well, “in which we stand.” Such indeed is the grace of God. It has no end, knows no limit, and constantly extends to what is greater, which is impossible among men. I will point, for example, to this. Someone attains authority, glory, and dominion. Yet he does not remain in this forever, but soon loses it. If another man does not take it from him, then death appears and completely carries everything away. But God's gifts are not like this. Neither man, nor time, nor circumstances, nor the devil himself, nor death when it appears, can take them from us. On the contrary, when we die, we shall possess them more firmly. As we gradually become perfected, we shall enjoy them in still greater measure. Then, if you are not sure of future blessings, believe in them on the basis of the present blessings you have already received. Therefore the Apostle said, “and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God,” so that you may know what sort of soul the believer must have. He must be undoubtedly assured not only of the good things given to him, but also of the future things, as though already given. For everyone boasts in what has already been given to him. Since hope for future blessings is as firm and clear as hope for the blessings already given, we also boast, he says, in hope of the future. Therefore he called future blessings “glory.” For if these blessings serve the glory of God, then they will certainly be fulfilled, if not for our sake, then for God's sake. And why do I say, the Apostle continues, that future blessings are worthy of praise? Even present afflictions can exalt us and move us to boast in them. Therefore he added, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations.”

Indeed, the greater the sorrows and sufferings of Christians, the greater and higher the fruits received. Thus every sorrow leads to patience, patience to tested character, and experience to confidence in receiving the great promises granted to us according to God's greatest love. The evident influence of that love is clearly shown in this whole state of our spirit, which is favorable to salvation and altogether joyful. There is no doubt that this joyful state of our spirit, penetrated by love, arose through the influence of divine love, always given through the Holy Spirit. It will not deceive us, but will truly lead us to that eternal blessedness concerning which our spirit now has confidence. “We are established upon hope,” says John Chrysostom, “but not upon hope in men, which often collapses and puts the one who hopes to shame. The man who promised protection either dies, or, though still alive, changes his disposition. Our hope is not like this. It is firm and unshaken. He who gave us the promises is always alive. And we who are to enjoy them, though we die, shall rise. Therefore we shall not in the least be put to shame, as though we had comforted ourselves vainly and foolishly with feeble hopes.” Live, then, Christian, with God's help, in the spirit of faith, and you will undoubtedly share in the glory of God in the age to come. As for sorrows, they not only cannot destroy our firm hope of eternal inheritance. They can even serve to strengthen it, for “through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

The Lord, having opened access to God for all, stretches out His hand to each one through the preaching, in order to lead him to God. By faith we place our hand in His hand and are led by Him to God. “Into this grace” embraces the whole divine economy in the Lord, all the spiritual goods given by faith. These are knowledge of God, being endowed with grace in the mysteries, strength for every good work, God’s special protection, and communion with God and all the heavenly powers.

“In which we stand” points to what everyone has experienced. This grace is not mere words, but something already possessed. Each one has learned what he was before and what he has now become in spirit. See, he says, how exalted this is, and glorify the Lord who granted it.

“We stand” points to what is already possessed by grace. “And we boast in hope of the glory of God” points to the goods promised in the age to come. Our whole matter is this: one has believed and received grace-filled powers in the mysteries. Now live with God’s help in the spirit of faith, and without doubt you will partake of the eternal glory of God in the age to come.

This is certain, and for this reason he said, “we boast,” as though what is promised and hoped for were already possessed in reality. This is the essence of Christian hope. Such is the thought of this text. We cite the words of Chrysostom, who not only indicates the thought, but also draws various conclusions from it.

“If Christ granted us access to God when we were far from Him, then all the more will He keep us there now that we have become near. But do not overlook that whenever the Apostle speaks of Christ’s benefactions, he always adds what is required on our part. Christ’s benefactions are many and varied. Christ died for us, reconciled us, granted us access to God, and gave us ineffable grace. On our side we bring faith alone. Therefore Paul says: ‘by faith into this grace in which we stand.’

What grace, tell me? The grace by which we were counted worthy of knowledge of God, freed from error, came to know the truth, and received all the goods given through baptism. For Christ led us to baptism precisely so that we might receive these gifts, that is, not only remission of sins and not only reconciliation, but also countless honors. He did not stop even there, but promised new and unspeakable goods that surpass reason.

Therefore the Apostle indicated both gifts. By the word ‘grace’ he depicted the present gifts that we have received. In the words ‘and we boast in hope of the glory of God,’ he revealed to us all the future gifts. Such is the grace of God. It has no end or limits, and what is humanly impossible, it continually extends into the future.

Among men it happens that someone attains authority, glory, and dominion, but does not keep it long and soon loses it. If no man takes it away, death will come and certainly take it. The gifts of God are not like this. Neither man, nor time, nor circumstances, nor the devil himself, nor death when it comes can tear them away from us. On the contrary, when we die, we shall possess them without any loss. Though we shall enjoy them, the gifts will increase.

If you are not certain about future goods, then become certain of them from the present goods that you have already received. And so that you may know what kind of heart a believer must have, the Apostle said: ‘and we boast in hope of the glory of God.’ He must be not only undoubtedly certain of the goods given to him, but also regard future goods as already given. For one can boast of what one already has in hand.

Since hope in future goods is as firm and certain as hope in goods already given, the Apostle says that we likewise boast in hope of the future. Because of this certainty about future goods, the Apostle called them glory. If these goods serve the glory of God, then they will certainly be fulfilled, if not for our sake, then for God’s.”