5:9: Much more then, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath (of God) through him.
This verse takes us back to what Paul said at the beginning of this chapter: God’s people can be “justified” (dikaio), the same word used in Rom. 3:20! It is possible to completely remove sin. This can be done even though we still sin after becoming a Christian. Also, we can have justification at the present time (“now”). In this verse, Paul affirmed that our source for justification is Christ’s “blood.” Without the blood of Jesus, justification would be impossible (Heb. 10:4). Christ’s blood is the basis for our justification, but the benefits of it must be accessed. This access comes by faith that is obedient (5:1).
If Christ had not shed his blood, the only thing that we could and would experience is “wrath” (verse 9b). However, since the precious blood of the Lord was shed, Christians can be and will be saved from punishment. Christians are people who are at peace with God (verse 1) and have no fear of condemnation (8:1).
Brad Price has been a full-time preacher in northern Indiana for more than 30 years. He has been in his present work, the Goshen church of Christ, in Goshen, Indiana, since December 1994. He is also serving as an elder. Brad has engaged in a variety of mission efforts in the United States, Jamaica, Russia, Ukraine, Nicaragua, and New Zealand. His Internet work includes www.abiblecommentary.com, multiple blogs, and a free Bible app for Android Smartphones (apps.abiblecommentary.com).