Romans 5:5 (KJV)

Bible Commentary

Romans 5:5 is a Bible verse from the New Testament where Paul is emphasizing the importance of hope and how it is a shield against despair. Hope is like a lifeline for someone who feels like they’re drowning in the sea of life.

In the Greek, hope is defined liked this: to anticipate, usually with pleasure, expectation, confidence: – faith.

It’s interesting to see the words “confidence” and “faith” as meanings of hope. If we have no confidence that our situation is going to get better, we have no hope and where there is no hope, there is despair.

Despair is a slippery slope downward to a very deep and dark pit. Once you start down that path, it is a very long and difficult climb back up.

Hope is critically important in the life of a believer. Without it we live in the dark, blinded to the truth, which is Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:5 says that hope makes us not ashamed. The word “ashamed” in the Greek means: disgrace or dishonor.

Hope not only acts like a shield to protect us from despair, but it is also our weapon against shame, disgrace or dishonor.

Unlocking the Truth – Hope is a Shield

Let’s dig into this further. Why would hope act like a weapon against shame or dishonor? In Romans 5:5, Paul says it is “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us.”

We hear the word “love” so much, it can lose its full effect, but it is incredibly powerful. Listen to the Greek meaning of love in Romans 5:5: affection or benevolence; specifically a love feast: – charity.

Romans 5:5 says the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. “Shed abroad” in the Greek means: to pour forth; gush out, run greedily.

The love of God isn’t just a little “feel-good” emotion. It is a feast of affection and charity, and it has gushed out from God by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. That’s powerful!

The only reason we don’t experience the love of God in abundance continually is because we are focused on so many other things that get in the way of us believing and receiving it. Remember, hope means: confidence and faith.

This love feast can neutralize any kind of shame or dishonor we may be experiencing or are afraid we might experience. But if we aren’t aware of it or don’t believe it, then we forfeit the gift. What a shame…literally!

In Romans 5:3-4, Paul talks about how our tests and tribulations develop patience in us, and patience produces experience and experience produces hope.

The tests and trials in our lives are meant to point us to God. As you learn to seek Him with each trial that comes into your life, you gain patience and experience, which produces hope. When you can look back and see how God helped you through the trials of your past, it gives you confidence He will do it again.

If you can’t see anything in your future that would cause you to expect a positive outcome, then look to God.

Where there is no way out, Jesus is the way.

He is our hope and our confidence. He already made the way when He died on the cross and rose from the grave. He overcame all the darkness of this world so that you could too.

Believe He loves you deeply and will rescue you. Study the Bible verse of Romans 5:5 to know that your hope is alive and well in Jesus Christ through the love of God.