Romans 5:11 – “Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

Extended Explanation

This verse wraps up Paul’s powerful teaching on justification and reconciliation in Romans 5. In the previous verses, Paul explained that:

1. We were once enemies of God (Romans 5:10).
2. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are now reconciled to God (Romans 5:10).
3. Because we are saved and secure in Christ, we can have confidence for the future.

Now in Romans 5:11, Paul emphasizes the response that should come from this truth: joyful boasting in God.

• “Not only is this so” – Paul is saying that everything he has just explained (our justification, reconciliation, and salvation through Jesus) is not the end of the story. There’s something even greater—our joy in God Himself.
• “We also boast in God” – The word “boast” here does not mean prideful bragging. It means rejoicing, celebrating, and finding joy in God. Since we are no longer God’s enemies, we can now delight in a restored relationship with Him.
• “Through our Lord Jesus Christ” – Everything we have—justification, salvation, reconciliation, and joy—comes through Jesus. Without Him, none of this would be possible.
• “Through whom we have now received reconciliation” – Paul reminds us that reconciliation with God is not something we earn. It is a gift we receive through Jesus Christ.

The big idea here is joy—not just in what God has done for us, but in God Himself. Now that we are reconciled, we don’t just have salvation—we have a living, joyful relationship with God.

Historical Context

Paul wrote this letter to Christians in Rome, a city where many different religious ideas were competing for influence. Most religious systems, both Roman and Jewish, emphasized human effort—people had to work hard to gain the favor of the gods or prove themselves worthy before God.

But Paul’s message was different. He taught that reconciliation with God is something we receive, not something we achieve. This was a radical idea, especially for Jewish believers who were used to offering sacrifices and following religious laws to be in good standing with God.

Roman culture also valued boasting—but usually in personal achievements, military victories, or status. Paul turns this idea upside down by saying that the only boasting that matters is boasting in God. The Christian’s greatest joy and confidence do not come from personal accomplishments, but from what God has done through Jesus.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches several key truths:

1. Salvation is not just about avoiding punishment—it’s about knowing and enjoying God. We are not only saved from wrath (Romans 5:9), but we are also saved to a relationship with God.
2. True joy comes from God, not our own achievements. The world teaches us to boast in success, wealth, or power. But Paul says we should boast in God alone.
3. Reconciliation is a gift, not a reward. We don’t earn peace with God—we receive it through Jesus Christ.
4. Jesus is the only way to reconciliation with God. No religious effort, good works, or self-improvement can restore our relationship with God—only Jesus can.

This verse also reminds us that salvation is deeply personal. It’s not just about being forgiven—it’s about being welcomed into a close and joyful relationship with God.

Literary Analysis

Paul uses a progression of thought throughout Romans 5:

• Romans 5:1-2 – We are justified by faith and have peace with God.
• Romans 5:3-5 – Suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope.
• Romans 5:6-8 – Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
• Romans 5:9-10 – Since we are justified, we will be saved from God’s wrath.
• Romans 5:11 – Because of all this, we rejoice in God Himself.

The key phrase “we boast in God” ties back to earlier in Romans 5, where Paul said we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2). Now, he completes the thought: Our hope and joy are found in knowing God personally.

The word “reconciliation” (Greek: katallagē) means restoration of a broken relationship. This word was sometimes used in financial transactions to describe settling debts, but here it describes how God has fully restored our relationship with Him through Jesus.

Biblical Cross-References

• Jeremiah 9:23-24 – “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me.” This confirms that true joy comes from knowing God, not human success.
• Galatians 6:14 – “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Paul echoes the idea that our only boasting should be in what Jesus has done.
• 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 – “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” This reinforces that reconciliation is God’s work, not ours.
• Psalm 16:11 – “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” This reminds us that joy is found in God Himself.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Many people today view Christianity only as a set of rules or a way to avoid punishment. But this verse reminds us that salvation is about joy in a relationship with God.

For believers, this verse is a call to:

• Rejoice in what God has done. No matter what challenges we face, we can have deep joy because we have been reconciled to God.
• Stop boasting in worldly things. Success, money, and achievements will fade, but our relationship with God is eternal.
• Live with confidence. If we are reconciled to God through Jesus, we never have to fear rejection or separation from Him.
• Share this joy with others. Since reconciliation is something we have “received,” we should invite others to receive it too.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse reveals God’s love in action:

• God did not just forgive us; He brought us into a relationship with Him.
• God’s love is joyful, not distant. He doesn’t just tolerate us—He delights in being reconciled with us.
• God’s love is unshakable. Since our reconciliation is through Jesus, it is secure forever.

This verse shows that God wants more than obedience—He wants a relationship with His people.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is at the center of reconciliation:

• Without Him, we were enemies of God. (Romans 5:10)
• Through Him, we are now at peace with God.
• Because He lives, our reconciliation is eternal.

Other key verses that connect Jesus to reconciliation:

• John 14:6 – “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
• Hebrews 7:25 – “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
• Colossians 1:19-20 – “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things.”

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does this verse change the way you think about salvation?
2. Do you find joy in your relationship with God, or do you struggle to see Him as personal?
3. What are some things you tend to “boast” in other than God?
4. How can you share the message of reconciliation with others?
5. What does it mean to truly rejoice in God?

Romans 5:11 is a powerful reminder that salvation is not just about forgiveness—it’s about joy in a restored relationship with God. Through Jesus, we can boast, rejoice, and celebrate because we are now at peace with God forever.