Romans 5:6 – GODS proven love 

…. Now expectation is not mortifying, seeing that the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the holy spirit which is being given to us. For Christ, while we are still infirm, still in accord with the era, for the sake of the irreverent died.

The love of GOD poured into our hearts, as the motive of our sure expectation, could be dismissed as a subjective experience. As an overwhelming feeling or ecstatic experience. But Paul certainly does not think about that. The love of GOD poured out into our hearts is based on an objective fact. On the historical fact that Christ died, not just at any time, but “in accord with the era”.

But how does the fact that Christ died show “the love of GOD”? Paul writes: Christ died for the sake of the irreverent. Certainly Christ died because of the irreverent who put him on the cross. But he also died in their behalf. For he died to give to irreverent mankind, imperishable Life that would come to light in his resurrection. So while the world showed its irreverence (as never before), just then, GOD proved His endless, never-ending love. Christ’s death by the irreverent proves once for all GOD’S love for the irreverent. 

Delen: