Charles Ellicott Commentary Romans 5:10

"For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life;" — Romans 5:10 (ASV)

The interval that separates the state of enmity from the state of reconciliation is a large one, while that which separates the state of reconciliation from the state of salvation is a small one. Yet there is a difference.

Reconciliation is the initial act: the removal of the load of guilt, justification. Salvation is the end of the Christian career and of the process of sanctification.

Justification is regarded as being especially due to the death of Christ. Sanctification is brought about rather by His continued agency as the risen and exalted Saviour.

The relations in which the risen Saviour still stands to the individual Christian are more fully worked out in Romans 6:4 and following; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:22 and following; 2 Corinthians 4:10–11; and Philippians 3:10.