Romans 4:25

KJV

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

KJV (with Strong's)

Who {G3739} was delivered {G3860} for {G1223} our {G2257} offences {G3900}, and {G2532} was raised again {G1453} for {G1223} our {G2257} justification {G1347}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua, who was delivered over to death because of our offences and raised to life in order to make us righteous.

Berean Standard Bible

He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification.

American Standard Version

who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 4:25 serves as a profound theological summation, encapsulating the twin pillars of Christ's redemptive work: His death as the atoning sacrifice for humanity's transgressions and His resurrection as the divine validation that secures our righteous standing before God. This verse provides the ultimate ground for Paul's preceding argument in Romans 4, demonstrating that the justification God credits to believers by faith, exemplified by Abraham, is entirely predicated on the finished work of Jesus Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 4:25 functions as the climactic conclusion to Paul's intricate theological argument in Romans 3 and 4 concerning justification by faith. Having established in [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith") that God's righteousness is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from the Law, Paul then uses Abraham in [Romans 4](/romans/4 "Romans 4 - Abraham Justified by Faith") as the quintessential Old Testament example. Abraham's faith was "counted to him as righteousness" ([Romans 4:3](/romans/4-3 "Romans 4:3 - Abraham's Faith Reckoned as Righteousness")), not his works or circumcision. This verse, Romans 4:25, then clarifies *how* this imputation of righteousness is made possible for believers—through the specific actions of Christ's death and resurrection, connecting the historical reality of Abraham's faith to the saving work of the Messiah. It seamlessly bridges the Old Testament pattern of faith with the New Testament fulfillment in Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul wrote to a diverse church in Rome, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers, grappling with questions of identity, the role of the Mosaic Law, and the nature of salvation. For Jewish believers, Abraham was the revered patriarch, and the Law was central to their covenant identity. Paul's argument that Abraham was justified by faith *before* the Law and circumcision ([Romans 4:9-10](/romans/4-9-10 "Romans 4:9-10 - Abraham Justified Before Circumcision")) was revolutionary. For Gentiles, the concept of a legal declaration of "justification" (Latin: *iustificatio*) would resonate with Roman legal practices, where a verdict of "not guilty" or "righteous" was pronounced. The cultural backdrop also includes the widespread practice of sacrifice for appeasing deities, which would make the concept of Christ being "delivered for our offences" comprehensible, though Paul redefines it within a monotheistic, substitutionary framework.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to Paul's theology in Romans. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Substitutionary Atonement**, where Christ's death is explicitly stated as being "for our offences," meaning He bore the penalty due to us. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Justification by Faith**, not as a mere intellectual assent, but as a divine declaration of righteousness made possible by Christ's completed work, specifically His resurrection. The resurrection is not just proof of His deity, but the necessary act that validates His sacrifice and enables our new standing before God. Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **God's Righteousness**, demonstrating how God can remain just while justifying the ungodly, precisely because Christ has satisfied the demands of His holy justice. This dual emphasis on Christ's death and resurrection is foundational to the gospel message and the believer's assurance, as seen throughout Paul's letters, such as in [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **delivered (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** This word (G3860) means "to surrender, i.e. yield up, intrust, transmit." In this context, it carries the profound theological weight of Christ being "handed over" or "given up." It can imply betrayal, but here, it primarily signifies a sovereign act of divine will, where God Himself "delivered" His Son, or Christ "delivered" Himself, into death for a specific purpose. This act is not accidental but purposeful, underscoring the intentionality of the atonement.
* **offences (Greek, _paráptōma'_):** This term (G3900) denotes "a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression." It encompasses a broad range of human failings, from accidental missteps to deliberate acts of rebellion against God's law. The use of the plural "offences" emphasizes the multitude and totality of human sin that necessitated Christ's atoning death.
* **justification (Greek, _dikaíōsis'_):** Derived from the verb "to justify," this noun (G1347) specifically means "acquittal (for Christ's sake)." It refers to the act of being declared righteous or innocent in a legal sense. It is not an internal transformation of character at this point, but a forensic declaration by God, where the believer is pronounced "not guilty" and "righteous" based on Christ's work. This legal declaration is made possible by Christ's resurrection, which validates His sacrifice and opens the way for believers to receive this righteous standing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who was delivered for our offences":** This clause highlights the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The "Who" refers directly to Jesus. His being "delivered" signifies a purposeful act, a divine handing over to death. The phrase "for our offences" (Greek: *diá ta paráptōmata hēmōn*) indicates the *cause* or *reason* for His delivery. It means "because of our transgressions" or "on account of our sins." Christ's death was therefore a substitutionary act, bearing the penalty and consequence of humanity's sin.
* **"and was raised again for our justification":** This second clause reveals the equally crucial role of Christ's resurrection. The resurrection is not merely a historical event but a theological necessity for our justification. The phrase "for our justification" (Greek: *diá tēn dikaiōsin hēmōn*) here indicates the *purpose* or *result* of His resurrection. His resurrection signifies God's acceptance of His sacrifice as complete and sufficient payment for sin. It is the divine declaration that the debt is paid, the power of death is broken, and therefore, those who believe in Him can now be declared righteous (justified) in God's sight. Without the resurrection, the sacrifice would be incomplete, and there would be no basis for our acquittal.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 4:25 employs several powerful literary devices. **Parallelism** is evident in the balanced structure of the two clauses, each beginning with a past-tense verb describing Christ's action ("delivered," "raised again") followed by a causal phrase ("for our offences," "for our justification"). This creates a rhythmic and memorable statement. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Antithesis**, contrasting "our offences" (sin, death, condemnation) with "our justification" (righteousness, life, acquittal). This stark opposition highlights the radical transformation brought about by Christ's work. The repeated use of the preposition "for" (Greek: *diá*) functions as **Causal Language**, emphasizing the direct link between Christ's actions and the specific outcomes for believers, underscoring both the reason for His death and the purpose of His resurrection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 4:25 is a theological cornerstone, linking the historical events of Christ's passion and resurrection directly to the believer's salvation. It profoundly articulates the *ordo salutis* (order of salvation), emphasizing that justification is not earned but received through faith in the complete work of Christ. His death addresses the problem of our sin, satisfying God's righteous demands, while His resurrection secures our new standing, demonstrating the efficacy of His sacrifice and His triumph over death. This verse underscores that salvation is a holistic work of God, grounded in the person and work of Jesus, providing a sure foundation for the believer's hope and assurance. It connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant faithfulness, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham through the ultimate Seed.

* [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Transgressions")
* [1 Corinthians 15:17](/1_corinthians/15-17 "1 Corinthians 15:17 - The Futility of Faith Without Resurrection")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 4:25 offers profound assurance and freedom to the believer. It unequivocally declares that our standing before God is not based on our performance, adherence to rules, or personal merit, but entirely on the completed work of Jesus Christ. His death fully paid the penalty for our "offences," removing the barrier of sin, and His resurrection secured our "justification," declaring us righteous in God's sight. This means that the guilt and power of sin have been decisively dealt with, and we are now in a right relationship with our Creator. This truth should lead to deep gratitude, humble worship, and an unshakeable confidence in God's grace. It frees us from the burden of trying to earn God's favor and empowers us to live in response to His boundless love, walking in the newness of life that His resurrection provides.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Christ's death for "our offences" and His resurrection for "our justification" impact your daily sense of security in your relationship with God?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to rely on your own efforts or good deeds for righteousness, rather than fully embracing Christ's completed work as described in this verse?**
* **What practical implications does the truth of your justification have for how you view yourself, interact with others, and approach spiritual disciplines?**
* **How does Romans 4:25 encourage you to live a life of gratitude and obedience, not out of fear or obligation, but out of love for what Christ has done?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the word "delivered" in this verse?**

Answer: The word "delivered" (Greek: *paradídōmi*) is highly significant. It implies a purposeful handing over, not merely an accidental occurrence. While it can carry connotations of betrayal (as when Judas "delivered" Jesus), in this theological context, it points to the sovereign plan of God. It means that Jesus was intentionally "given up" or "handed over" to death. This highlights the voluntary nature of Christ's sacrifice and the divine initiative behind the atonement. God Himself "delivered" His Son, and Christ "delivered" Himself, for the specific purpose of dealing with human sin, as seen in passages like [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World") and [Galatians 2:20](/galatians/2-20 "Galatians 2:20 - Christ Lives in Me").

**How does Christ's resurrection lead to our justification?**

Answer: Christ's resurrection is absolutely crucial for our justification because it serves as God's divine declaration that Jesus's atoning sacrifice for sin was fully accepted and completely sufficient. If Christ had only died, His sacrifice might have been seen as incomplete, or insufficient to overcome the power of sin and death. However, His resurrection demonstrates that the debt of sin has been fully paid, the power of death has been broken, and God's justice has been satisfied. Because He rose, He lives to intercede for us ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")), and we are united with Him in His new life. Our justification, therefore, is not merely the forgiveness of sins, but a positive declaration of righteousness, made possible because Christ's resurrection confirms His victory over all that stood against us. As [1 Corinthians 15:17](/1_corinthians/15-17 "1 Corinthians 15:17 - Futility Without Resurrection") states, "if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 4:25 stands as a powerful testament to the Christ-centered nature of God's redemptive plan, revealing how the Old Testament promises find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. The "who" of the verse is unequivocally Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, whose life, death, and resurrection are the very bedrock of our salvation. He is the Lamb of God "delivered" for "our offences," echoing the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant, yet providing a once-for-all, perfect sacrifice that truly takes away sin ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). Furthermore, His being "raised again for our justification" demonstrates His triumph over sin and death, fulfilling prophecies of a resurrected Messiah ([Psalm 16:10](/psalm/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - You Will Not Abandon My Soul to Sheol")). This verse beautifully connects the forensic declaration of righteousness, exemplified by Abraham's faith, to the historical reality of Christ's finished work. It reveals that the righteousness credited to believers is not an abstract concept but a concrete reality grounded in the person of Jesus, who became sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")). Thus, Romans 4:25 is not merely about a doctrine; it is about the living Christ, the source and substance of our justification.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 John 4:9

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

1 John 4:10

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.

Isaiah 53:5

But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

1 Peter 3:18

¶ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

2 Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Galatians 1:4

Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: