Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 5:2

"through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." — Romans 5:2 (ASV)

We have access. (See Barnes on John 14:6.)

I am the way, etc. (John 14:6). Doddridge renders it, "by whom we have been introduced," etc. This means by whom we have the privilege of obtaining the favor of God which we enjoy when we are justified.

The word translated "access" occurs in only two other places in the New Testament: Ephesians 2:18 and Ephesians 3:12. Through Jesus Christ, the way is opened for us to obtain the favor of God.

By faith. By means of faith (Romans 1:17).

Into this grace. Into this favor of reconciliation with God.

Wherein we stand. In which we now are as a consequence of being justified.

And rejoice. Religion is often represented as producing joy (Isaiah 12:3; Isaiah 35:10; Isaiah 52:9; Isaiah 61:3, 7; Isaiah 65:14, 18; John 16:22, 24; Acts 13:52; Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22; 1 Peter 1:8). The sources or steps of this joy are these:

1. We are justified, or regarded by God as righteous.
2. We are admitted into His favor, and abide there.
3. We have the prospect of still higher and richer blessings in the fullness of His glory when we are admitted to heaven.

In hope. This means in the earnest desire and expectation of obtaining that glory. Hope is a complex emotion, made up of a desire for an object and an expectation of obtaining it. Where either of these is lacking, there is not hope.

Where desire and expectation are combined in improper proportions, there is no peace. But where the desire of obtaining an object is attended with an expectation of obtaining it in proportion to that desire, there exists that peaceful, happy state of mind which we call hope.

And the apostle here implies that the Christian has an earnest desire for that glory and that he has a confident expectation of obtaining it. He immediately states that the result of this is that we are sustained by it in our afflictions.

The glory of God. This refers to the glory that God will bestow on us. The word glory usually means splendor, magnificence, honor.

The apostle here refers to that honor and dignity which will be conferred on the redeemed when they are raised up to the full honors of redemption: when they will triumph in the completion of the work, and be freed from sin, pain, and tears, and permitted to participate in the full splendors that will encompass the throne of God in the heavens. (See Barnes on Luke 2:9.)

Compare Revelation 21:22-24; Revelation 22:5; Isaiah 60:19, 20.