Romans 5:3–5
Paul links affliction, perseverance, proven character, and hope
Study it word by word3And not only that, but we also boast in afflictions, knowing that affliction produces perseverance,
4and perseverance produces proven character, and proven character, hope.
5And hope does not put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
In its context
1Therefore, having been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus the Messiah,
2through whom we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
…
6For while we were still weak, at the right time the Messiah died for the ungodly.
7For scarcely will anyone die for a righteous person; though for the good person perhaps someone even dares to die.
Its words in the original
- μόνονmonon· only, alone
Alone, only.
- καυχώμεθαkauchōmetha· boast
Boast, take pride in something; in a good sense, glory or rejoice in it.
- θλίψεσινthlipsesin· trouble, affliction
Affliction, distress, pressure.
- εἰδότεςeidotes· know
Know, understand; also see.
- ὑπομονὴνhypomonēn· endurance, perseverance
Endurance, perseverance: holding out patiently under trial.
- κατεργάζεταιkatergazetai· accomplish, produce, do
Bring about, accomplish, produce; also carry out or commit a deed.
- δοκιμήνdokimēn· proven character, proof
Proven character: what is shown to be genuine by testing; also the test or the proof itself.
- ἐλπίδαelpida· hope
Hope: confidence in what God will do.
- καταισχύνειkataischynei· put to shame
Put to shame, disgrace; in the passive, be ashamed, be disappointed.
- ἀγάπηagapē· love
Love.
- θεοῦtheou· God, god
God. In the plural or in another sense, "gods".
- ἐκκέχυταιekkechytai· pour out
Pour out.
- καρδίαιςkardiais· heart
Heart: the center of the person, where one thinks, feels and decides.
- πνεύματοςpneumatos· spirit, Spirit
Spirit; also wind and breath. With "holy", the Holy Spirit of God.
- ἁγίουhagiou· holy
Holy: set apart for God, pure, belonging to him.
- δοθέντοςdothentos· give
Give.