John Calvin Commentary Romans 5:1

"Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;" — Romans 5:1 (ASV)

Being then justified, etc. The Apostle begins to illustrate by its effects what he has until now said concerning the righteousness of faith. Therefore, this entire chapter is filled with amplifications, which are as much designed to explain as to confirm.

He had said before that faith is abolished if righteousness is sought by works. In such a case, perpetual restlessness would disturb miserable souls, since they can find nothing substantial in themselves. But he now teaches us that when we have obtained righteousness by faith, we are made quiet and tranquil: we have peace with God; and this is the unique fruit of the righteousness of faith.

When anyone strives to seek tranquility of conscience by works (which is the case with profane and ignorant people), he labors for it in vain; for either his heart is asleep through his disregard or forgetfulness of God’s judgment, or else it is full of trembling and dread, until it rests on Christ, who alone is our peace.

Peace, then, means tranquility of conscience, which arises from this: the conscience feels itself to be reconciled to God. The Pharisee, who swells with false confidence in his own works, does not have this peace. Nor does the dull sinner, who is not disturbed because he is intoxicated by the sweetness of vices.

For although neither of these seems to have an obvious disturbance, like one who is struck by a consciousness of sin, yet because they do not truly approach God's tribunal, they have no reconciliation with Him. Indeed, insensibility of conscience is, so to speak, a kind of retreating from God.

Peace with God is opposed to the dead security of the flesh. This is because the first step is for everyone to be awakened to the account he must give of his life. No one can stand boldly before God except he who relies on a gratuitous reconciliation; for as long as He is God, all others must tremble and be confounded.

And this is the strongest of proofs that our opponents do nothing but talk idly when they ascribe righteousness to works. For this conclusion of Paul is derived from the fact that miserable souls always tremble, unless they rest on the grace of Christ.