Hope in Suffering: Studies in Romans 5:3-5 Part 3

Hope in Suffering Part 3

Romans 5:3-5

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Purpose: There are three truths we need to know in order that we might not be crushed during suffering in our lives so that we would have hope in our suffering.

1. We need to know that we all will face tribulations (v.3a)
2. We need to know that God is working within us (v.3b-4)
3. We need to know that God loves us greatly (v.5) 

Previously we have looked at the first two points:

“We need to know that we all will face tribulations (v.3a)”

“We need to know that God is working within us (v.3b-4)“

Today we will look at the third point:

We need to know that God loves us greatly (5)

1. Passage: and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
2. Proof
   1. This verse explores hope from another angle (Schreiner, 256).
   2. Picking up with the theme of “hope” earlier in verse 4, Paul says “hope does not disappoint,”
      1. It literally says “hope does not shame.”
      2. This echoes Old Testament passages like Psalm 22:6, 25:3, 25:20, Isaiah 28:16 (Moo, 304).
      3. The point: Our hope in God is not going to backfire against us.
   3. After this statement Paul then gives readers the reason why hope does not disappoint: “because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us”
   4. The astounding truth: “love of God.” God loves us?
      1. This is the first time “love” is mentioned in the Book of Romans.
      2. Think about how astounding that is, after Paul has described how sinful we are in 3 chapters, from Romans 1-3.
      3. Yet He loves us.
   5. It is because of God’s love for us that our hopes in Him will not be disappointed.
   6. The Love of God has been described as having “been poured out within our hearts”
      1. “Poured out” suggests a generous abundance that is poured out (Ash, 197).
      2. Elsewhere in Scripture this term is used to refer to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in the Greek Septuagint of Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:17-18, 2:33 and 10:45 (Schreiner, 257). Also the Spirit being poured out is mentioned in Titus 3:6 (Moo, 305).
   7. Here we learn that God loves us so greatly He has given us the Holy Spirit to be with us as a gift.
3. Picture: When people are going through trials, sometimes they need more than a good advice or a few words. We need someone to be there.  Did you know that God loves us so much, He gave the Holy Spirit to be there with us?  Even when others are not there, God is still there?  And He loves us?
4. Practice
   1. When you are going through trials, it is easy to fall into the trap of self-pity. We need to meditate on the truth that God loves us, to avoid that trap.
   2. Meditate on God’s Love. How?  Study the Gospel deeply and learn what God has done for us.
   3. Let the Gospel move you and comfort you, knowing Christ knows what hardship is: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)