There are several notable characteristics of this passage:

1. The bold confidence of its chain of assertions

2. The surprising irony that joy can come from suffering

3. The change from plural to personal singular in Paul’s writing.

In chapters 3 and 4, Paul has established that salvation comes only on the basis of God’s grace working through man’s faith. Man’s only part in becoming saved is to receive forgiveness and reconciliation freely in faith from God’s gracious hand. The person who trusts in anything else, including obedience to the law or circumcision or baptism or any other human work, cannot be saved. 

Faith has always been the only way to salvation. There is no other way! But how is our salvation maintained or preserved? Is it by faith or by good works?

If the preservation of salvation depends on what believers themselves do or don’t do, their salvation is only as secure as their faithfulness, which provides no security at all. According to that view, believers must protect by their own human power what Christ began by His divine power,

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