This section, which serves as the conclusion to the second main section of Romans (3:21–5:21), has a reputation for difficulty. No passage in the New Testament, says Barclay, “is more difficult for a modern mind to understand” (77). Long ago Lard (162–163) acknowledged these difficulties, but regarded them as “exaggerated.” In a real sense Lard is right. There are some genuine exegetical problems here; but once four key questions are answered,
Romans 5:12–21