“He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Romans 4:25 HCSB).
Just as the Apostle Paul opened this portion of his letter to the church at Rome with a reference to justification, he now touches upon that topic again in the closing verse of this chapter. As discussed earlier in our look at the first three chapters of Romans, “justification” describes the manner in which sinful human beings are made acceptable to a holy God.
Justification involves a divine act of God that eliminates the guilt and penalty of sin for those who trust in Christ. It also represents a legal concept that pertains to one’s standing before God. When God justifies a sinful human being, He legally attributes (or confers) the positive righteousness of Christ to those who place their faith in Him, while His atoning work on the cross satisfies the death sentence imposed by the Law.
Nevertheless, this correlation between Jesus’ resurrection and the doctrine of justification may not seem readily apparent. The New Testament epistle to the Hebrews can help us make that connection by linking Jesus’ resurrected life with His priestly intercession on our behalf…
“But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:24-25).
This priestly ministry hinges upon Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, for only a living Savior could fulfill that role. The following source approaches this question from another perspective…
“How does the resurrection of Jesus relate to our justification? …Jesus’ death without a resurrection would have indicated that his atonement was not acceptable to God. But the fact that God raised him shows that God is satisfied. This is the verdict of the Judge of heaven and earth: The atonement has been made, and all who trust in it will participate in the benefits of the righteousness of Christ.
Thus, the resurrection is the last step in God’s work to justify us. By raising Jesus, God shows that he is satisfied with his work. Because God’s wrath has been satisfied, he can accept us as sinners and justify us. Had Jesus not been raised, we could not be justified.” (1)
As another commentator adds, “The denial of the propitiatory death of Christ, or of his resurrection from the dead, is a denial of the gospel It is refusing to be saved according to the method that God has appointed.” (2)
(1) Sproul, R. C. (1992). Before the face of God: Book 1: A daily guide for living from the book of Romans (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House; Ligonier Ministries.
(2) Charles Hodge, Commentary on Romans, quoted in ESV Church History Study Bible: Voices from the Past, Wisdom for the Present. (2023). Crossway. p.1689