King James Version

What Does Romans 5:2 Mean?

Romans 5:2 in the King James Version says “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” — study this verse from Romans chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Romans 5:2 · KJV

FaithGraceHope

Context

1

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Read Romans 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand—the perfect tense estēkamen (ἑστήκαμεν) emphasizes the believer's secure, established position in grace. Christ is both the door (access) and the realm (grace) of Christian standing. The metaphor recalls court language: believers have προσαγωγή (prosagōgē), the right of approach to the divine King, a privilege purchased by Christ's blood.

And rejoice in hope of the glory of God (καυχώμεθα ἐπ' ἐλπίδι τῆς δόξης τοῦ θεοῦ)—the glory humanity lost through sin (3:23) becomes the believer's confident expectation. This is no uncertain wish but assured hope grounded in God's promises and Christ's resurrection. Paul's 'boasting' vocabulary shifts from forbidden human boasting (3:27) to exulting in God's gracious provision, echoing Jeremiah 9:23-24.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In the Greco-Roman world, 'access' (prosagōgē) was a technical term for introduction to royalty or deity—a privilege jealously guarded by social hierarchy. Paul democratizes this language: every believer, Jew or Gentile, slave or free, has immediate access to God through Christ. This would have been revolutionary to first-century readers familiar with temple courts that progressively restricted access based on gender, ethnicity, and ritual purity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does standing 'in grace' differ from the performance treadmill of constantly trying to earn God's favor?
  2. What does it mean to 'rejoice in hope' when hope is often dismissed as wishful thinking in our culture?
  3. If believers already have unrestricted access to God through Christ, why do many Christians still feel distant from Him?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
δι'1 of 23

“By”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

ᾗ2 of 23

“whom”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

καὶ3 of 23

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὴν4 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

προσαγωγὴν5 of 23

“access”

G4318

admission

ἐσχήκαμεν6 of 23

“we have”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

τῇ7 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστει8 of 23

“by faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

εἰς9 of 23

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν10 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χάριν11 of 23

“grace”

G5485

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart

ταύτην12 of 23
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἐν13 of 23

“wherein”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ᾗ14 of 23

“whom”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἑστήκαμεν15 of 23

“we stand”

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

καὶ16 of 23

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

καυχώμεθα17 of 23

“rejoice”

G2744

to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense)

ἐπ'18 of 23

“in”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ἐλπίδι19 of 23

“hope”

G1680

expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence

τῆς20 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δόξης21 of 23

“of the glory”

G1391

glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)

τοῦ22 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ23 of 23

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 5:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 5:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 2:18Ephesians 3:12Romans 12:121 Corinthians 15:11 Peter 3:182 Thessalonians 2:16

Test Your Knowledge

Romans 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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