Romans 5:4

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Romans 5:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

perseverance, character; and character, hope.

King James Version KJV

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

American Standard Version ASV

and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope:

Bible in Basic English BBE

And waiting gives experience; and experience, hope:

Free Bible Version FBV

Spiritual stamina in turn develops a mature character, and this mature character results in confident hope.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And patience experience, and experience hope,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and the endurance, experience; and the experience, hope;

World English Bible WEB

and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And patience trial; and trial hope;

Translation for Translators T4T

And we know that when we endure things patiently, the result is that God approves of us. And when we know that God approves of us, the result is that we confidently expect that he will do great things for us.

Plain English Version PEV

And after we learn to keep on believing, then we will become better people. And after we become better people, we can think about the time that will come, the time when everything will be good for us.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Romans 5:4

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Romans 5:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK η δε υπομονη δοκιμην η δε δοκιμη ελπιδα

η ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSF

δε de G1161 then Conj

υπομονη hupomonē G5281 perseverance Noun-NSF

δοκιμην dokimē G1382 test Noun-ASF

η ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSF

δε de G1161 then Conj

δοκιμη dokimē G1382 test Noun-NSF

ελπιδα elpis G1680 hope Noun-ASF

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Romans 5:4

η ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

υπομονη hupomonē G5281 "perseverance" Noun-NSF

Perseverance or endurance, like patiently waiting for something, as described in Luke 8:15 and Romans 5:3-4 where believers endure hardships with hope.

Definition: ὑπο-μονή, -ῆς, ἡ (ὑπομένω) [in LXX for מִקְוֶה and cogn. forms; frequently in 4Mac ;] __1. a remaining behind (Arist.). __2. patient enduring, endurance: Luk.8:15 21:19, Rom.5:3-4 15:4-5, 2Co.6:4 12:12, Col.1:11, 2Th.1:4, 1Ti.6:11, 2Ti.3:10, Tit.2:2, Heb.10:36, Jas.1:3-4 5:11, 2Pe.1:6, Rev.2:2-3, 19 13:10 14:12; δι᾽ ὑπομονῆς, Rom.8:25, Heb.12:1; with genitive of person(s), 2Th.3:5 (ICC, in l), Rev.3:10; with genitive of thing(s), Rom.2:7, 2Co.1:6, 1Th.1:3; before ἐν, Rev.1:9.† SYN.: see: μακροθυμία, and cf. Hort on Jas.1:3 (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 31 NT verses. KJV: enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting) See also: 1 Thessalonians 1:3; Luke 8:15; Hebrews 10:36.

δοκιμην dokimē G1382 "test" Noun-ASF

A test or trial to prove something or someone is trustworthy. In Romans 5:4, trials produce approval and character.

Definition: δοκιμή, -ῆς, ἡ (δόκιμος), [in Sm.: Psa.68:31 * ;] __1. the process of trial, proving, test: 2Co.8:2 9:13 __2. The result of trial, approval, approvedness, proof: Rom.5:4, 2Co.2:9 13:3, Php.2:22 (Cremer, 212, 701).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: experience(-riment), proof, trial See also: 2 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 13:3; Romans 5:4.

η ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

δοκιμη dokimē G1382 "test" Noun-NSF

A test or trial to prove something or someone is trustworthy. In Romans 5:4, trials produce approval and character.

Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: experience(-riment), proof, trial See also: 2 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 13:3; Romans 5:4.

ελπιδα elpis G1680 "hope" Noun-ASF

Hope or expectation, as in 2 Corinthians 1:6 and Acts 16:19, where it refers to trusting in God's goodness.

Definition: ἐλπίς (ἑλ-, Rom.8:20, WH, see Bl., § 4, 3; M, Pr., 44), -ίδος, ἡ [in LXX for בָּטַח and its derivatives, תִּקְוָה (frequently in Jb), etc. ;] expectation (in cl., rarely of evil, mostly of good, and so always in NT), hope; __1. of hope in general: 2Co.1:6; with genitive obj., Act.16:19; art. inf., Act.27:20, 1Co.9:10; παρ᾽ ἐλπίδα, Rom.4:18; ἐπ᾽ ἐλπίδι, 1Co.9:10. __2. Of religious hope: ἐπ᾽ ἐλπίδι, Act.2:26 26:6, Rom.4:18 8:20, Tit.1:2; τῇ ἐ. ἐσώθημεν, Rom.8:24; κατ᾽ ἐλπίδα ζωῆς αἰωνίου, Tit.3:7; of the Messianic hope of Israel, Act.23:6 26:6-7 28:20; of Christian hope, Rom.5:2-5 12:12 15:4, 13, 1Co.13:13, 2Th.2:16, Heb.3:6 6:11 7:19 10:23, 1Pe.1:3 1:21 3:15; with genitive obj., Rom.5:2, Col.1:27, 1Th.1:3 5:8, Tit.1:2; with genitive of that on which the hope is based, Act.26:6, Eph.1:18 4:4, Col.1:23; ὁ θεὸς τῆς ἐ., Rom.15:13; ἔχειν ἐ. (= cl. ἐλπίζειν), Act.24:15, Rom.15:4, 2Co.3:12 10:15, Eph.2:12, 1Th.4:13; before ἐπί, with dative, 1Jn.3:3; εἰς, Act.24:15; ὅτι, Rom.8:20, Php.1:20-21. Meton., __(a) of the author or ground of hope (cl.): 1Th.2:19, 1Ti.1:1; with genitive obj., Col.1:27; __(b) of the thing hoped for: Gal.5:5, Col.1:5, Tit.2:13, Heb.6:18 (Cremer, 252, 712).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 48 NT verses. KJV: faith, hope See also: 1 Corinthians 9:10; Colossians 1:23; 1 Peter 1:3.

Study Notes — Romans 5:4

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Romans 5:4 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Romans 5:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 5:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 5:4
Trapp's Commentary on Romans 5:4
Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 5:4
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Romans 5:4
Cambridge Bible on Romans 5:4
Barnes' Notes on Romans 5:4
Whedon's Commentary on Romans 5:4
Sermons on Romans 5:4

Context — The Triumph of Faith

2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

4perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. 6For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Peter 5:10	And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.
2	James 1:12	Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
3	2 Corinthians 4:8–12	We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
4	1 Peter 1:6–7	In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
5	2 Timothy 4:16–18	At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
6	Psalms 71:18–24	Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come. Your righteousness reaches to the heavens, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You? Though You have shown me many troubles and misfortunes, You will revive me once again. Even from the depths of the earth You will bring me back up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. So I will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. When I sing praise to You my lips will shout for joy, along with my soul, which You have redeemed. My tongue will indeed proclaim Your righteousness all day long, for those who seek my harm are disgraced and confounded.
7	2 Corinthians 1:4–6	who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience.
8	Psalms 42:4–5	These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence.
9	2 Corinthians 6:9–10	as unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
10	Psalms 27:2–3	When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell. Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.

Romans 5:4 Summary

Romans 5:4 shows us that when we go through tough times, it can help us become stronger and more like Jesus, which is the process of perseverance producing character. As we trust God and His plan, even in hard circumstances, our character grows, and we begin to have hope for the future, knowing that God is working everything out for our good, as stated in Romans 8:28. This hope is not just a feeling, but a confident expectation of God's love and glory, as mentioned in Romans 5:5. By trusting in God's faithfulness and promise-keeping nature, as seen in Hebrews 10:23, we can have hope that He will bring us through any trial and produce in us a character that honors Him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the relationship between perseverance, character, and hope in Romans 5:4?

According to Romans 5:4, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope, as seen in the progression of suffering to hope in Romans 5:3-5, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of God's love as expressed in Romans 5:5 and 1 John 4:16.

How does perseverance lead to character?

Perseverance leads to character as we learn to trust God and His sovereignty in the midst of trials, much like the apostle Paul's experience in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, where he found strength in God's grace amidst suffering.

What kind of hope is being referred to in Romans 5:4?

The hope in Romans 5:4 is the confident expectation of God's glory and love, as mentioned in Romans 5:2 and 5:5, which is rooted in the knowledge of God's faithfulness and promise-keeping nature, as seen in Hebrews 10:23 and Titus 1:2.

Is this process of perseverance, character, and hope only for believers?

While the specific context of Romans 5:4 is addressed to believers, the principle of perseverance leading to character and hope can be observed in the lives of all people, as seen in the example of Job's suffering and ultimate hope in God in the book of Job, but the fullness of this hope is only available to those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, as stated in Ephesians 2:12 and 1 Thessalonians 1:3.

Reflection Questions

What are some trials in my life right now where I can practice perseverance and trust in God's sovereignty?
How can I cultivate character in my daily life, especially in the face of adversity, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in this process, as mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23?
What are some ways I can fix my eyes on the hope of God's glory, as mentioned in Romans 5:2, and how can I encourage others to do the same?
In what ways can I demonstrate the character produced by perseverance to those around me, and how can I use my experiences to minister to others, as seen in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4?

Gill's Exposition on Romans 5:4

And patience experience,.... As tribulations tend to exercise and increase patience, so patience being exercised and increased, enlarges the saints' stock and fund of experience; of the love and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 5:4

And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And patience [worketh] experience , [ dokimeen (G1382)] - rather 'proof,' as the same word is rendered in 2 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 13:3;

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 5:4

And patience, experience; viz. of God’ s sustentation and care of us, and of his faithfulness in fulfilling his promises, ,5; as also of our own sincerity, and strength to endure and persevere, . And experience, hope; i.e. of the glory of God, as before in , or hope of further mercy and seasonable deliverance. Believers find and feel that God hath delivered them, and doth deliver them, and in him they trust and hope that he will still deliver them.

Trapp's Commentary on Romans 5:4

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Ver. 4. And experience, hope] Without hope patience is cold almost in the fourth degree, and that is but a little from poison.

Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 5:4

(4) Experience.—“Approvedness,” the quality of being tried and approved. The result of patient endurance is to test, confirm, and refine the better elements of faith. Out of this, in its turn, grows hope. Hope began and ends the circle. It is the knowledge of what is in store for him that, in the first instance, nerves the Christian to endure; and that endurance, being prolonged, gives him the steady, calm assurance no longer of the novice but of the veteran.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Romans 5:4

Verse 4. And patience, experience] δοκιμεν, Full proof, by trial, of the truth of our religion, the solidity of our Christian state, and the faithfulness of our God. In such cases we have the opportunity of putting our religion to the test; and, by every such test, it receives the deeper sterling stamp. The apostle uses here also a metaphor taken from the purifying, refining, and testing of silver and gold. Experience, hope] For we thus calculate, that he who has supported us in the past will support us in those which may yet come; and as we have received so much spiritual profiting by means of the sufferings through which we have already passed, we may profit equally by those which are yet to come: and this hope prevents us from dreading coming trials; we receive them as means of grace, and find that all things work together for good to them that love God.

Cambridge Bible on Romans 5:4

4. experience] The Gr. properly means “a proof, a test.” So usually in N. T.: e.g. 2 Corinthians 8:2 (where E. V. “trial”), Romans 13:3 (where E. V. “proof”); Philippians 2:22 (“proof”). The word here cannot refer to the testing of the believer by his Master, for the next clause shews it is something in his own consciousness, producing hope there. It is rather his own testing of himself; his discovery of what he can bear and do, through grace; promoting courage for future efforts, and steady hopes of final victory.hope] Of future grace and (perhaps mainly here) of the glory to follow. Each “test” of the power given enhances the confidence that He who gives it will continue it till the course of “patience” ends in the eternal welcome.

Barnes' Notes on Romans 5:4

And patience, experience - Patient endurance of trial produces experience.

Whedon's Commentary on Romans 5:4

4. Patience, experience—Rather translate, endurance worketh approvedness. Our endurance of trial brings into an approved state with our heavenly Master.

Sermons on Romans 5:4

	Sermon	Description
	Growing in Grace #6 - the "Much More" Grace of God by Bob Hoekstra	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. He warns that certain individuals have infiltrated the chu
	Promise Believers #5 - Children of Promise by Bob Hoekstra	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the relationship between God's promises and God's law. He emphasizes the importance of understanding that God's promises guarantee the life an
	Experiencing God by Anton Bosch	Anton Bosch preaches about the misconception of 'experiencing God' and how it is not based on the Bible but rather on ancient occultic practices and modern entertainment culture. H
	Life of a Christian Man. Scriptural Arguments Exhorting to It by John Calvin	John Calvin preaches about the importance of aligning the life of believers with the righteousness of God through regeneration, repentance, and daily progress in piety and righteou
	The Bliss of the Glorified by C.H. Spurgeon	Wayne Barber delves into the concept of proven character (dokime) in the Bible, emphasizing that enduring trials and afflictions promote and validate the character of believers. Th
	Every Branch in Me That Beareth Not Fruit by Keith Daniel	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the transformative power of the word of God, stating that it can change every priority in one's life. The speaker highlights the importance o
	Bearing Fruit - Part 3 by Keith Daniel	This sermon emphasizes the reality of trials, tribulations, and persecution that believers may face, contrary to the false teachings of prosperity and guaranteed healing. It highli