What does Romans 4:25 mean?
What is the meaning of Romans 4:25?

He was delivered over to death

- The phrase points to God’s intentional act. Acts 2:23 says Jesus was “delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge,” showing the cross was never plan B.

- Romans 8:32 reminds us that the Father “did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all,” underscoring a purposeful surrender, not a tragic mistake.

- Jesus Himself embraced this mission: “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord” (John 10:18).

- The death in view is real, physical, and substitutionary, fulfilling Isaiah 53:10 where “the LORD was pleased to crush Him.”


for our trespasses

- Our “trespasses” are specific violations of God’s law (Romans 3:23). The cross addresses actual sins, not vague shortcomings.

- Isaiah 53:5 declares, “He was pierced for our transgressions,” making clear that the penalty paid was ours.

- 2 Corinthians 5:21 explains the exchange: “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

- 1 Peter 2:24 adds, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree,” emphasizing personal substitution: my guilt, His sacrifice.


and was raised to life

- The resurrection is historical and bodily. Matthew 28:6 announces, “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.”

- Acts 2:24 affirms that “it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him,” proving Christ’s victory over sin’s penalty.

- 1 Corinthians 15:4 grounds our faith in this fact: “He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

- The empty tomb certifies that the Father accepted the Son’s payment and that new life is available to all who believe (John 11:25).


for our justification

- Justification is God’s legal declaration that a sinner is righteous because of Christ. Romans 5:1 celebrates, “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

- The resurrection proves the verdict. If Christ were still dead, we would remain condemned (1 Corinthians 15:17), but His rising confirms the case is closed in our favor.

- Through faith, His righteousness is credited to us (Romans 4:5). We stand acquitted, welcomed, and secure.

- Hebrews 7:25 assures that the living Christ “always lives to intercede for them,” showing that justification is not only granted but continually upheld.


summary

Romans 4:25 weaves together the cross and the empty tomb as a single, saving act. Jesus was handed over to a real death to answer for our real sins, and He was raised to affirm our full acquittal before God. The verse invites us to rest in a finished work: guilt removed, righteousness bestowed, and a living Savior who guarantees both.

How does Romans 4:24 connect to the overall theme of justification by faith in Romans?
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