“But for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”(Romans 4:24–25)
Paul makes a profound statement here: the same way Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness, our faith in Christ is credited as righteousness. The God Abraham trusted — the God who gives life to the dead (Romans 4:17) — is the same God we trust.
Abraham looked forward in hope; we look back to the finished work of Christ and forward to its consummation with confidence.
Delivered Because of Our Transgressions
Paul is clear: Jesus was delivered over to death because of our sins. This echoes Isaiah’s prophecy: “He was pierced for our transgressions… the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5–6).
It was our sin that took Him to the cross. Every failure, every rebellion, every act of disobedience — He carried it in His body (1 Peter 2:24). On the cross, He bore the full penalty. That’s why He could declare, “It is finished” (John 19:30).
Raised for Our Justification
But death was not the end. Paul says Christ was “raised because of our justification.”
That means His resurrection is not just proof of life after death; it is God’s public declaration that the sacrifice was accepted. Jesus’ rising is His vindication (1 Timothy 3:16) — and by union with Him, it is ours as well.
To be justified is more than a pardon. A pardon says, “You’re guilty, but forgiven.” Justification says, “You are declared righteous, standing clean before God.” That standing was secured because Jesus rose without our sins — leaving them in the grave.
He Carried Sin, Entered Death, and Rose in Victory
Let’s break it down:
- He Carried Our Sins
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree…” (1 Peter 2:24).
The full penalty was paid on the cross. He didn’t need to keep suffering after death. - He Truly Died and Went to Hades/Sheol
Acts 2:27 tells us He entered the realm of the dead. He fully experienced death as we do. But unlike us, “death could not hold Him” (Acts 2:24). - His Resurrection Shows Our Victory
- By rising from Hades, He proved the grave has no claim over those who belong to Him (1 Corinthians 15:20–22).
- The devil has no grounds to accuse us because our sin — the only weapon he had — was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14–15; Revelation 12:10).
Resurrection Life Shared With Us
Here’s the beautiful truth:
- He went into death carrying our sin, but He rose without it.
- He now lives in resurrection life, never to die again (Romans 6:9–10).
- And that life is what He gives us: “The life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20).
This is why Paul can boldly say, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). The debt has been paid. The grave is empty. And the life of Christ is ours.
Conclusion
Jesus’ death shows the weight of our sin. His resurrection shows the reality of our justification. He was delivered up because of our sins, but raised to give us a new standing — righteous, accepted, alive in Him.
The devil has nothing on us anymore, because Christ carried it all and left it behind. What we receive now is His resurrection life.
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