‘Justice’ was served by the cross of Christ that we might then go on to “reign in life” (v17).

Rom. 5:1-5 Therefore being Justified (with our sin-debt is paid) By Faith, we have ‘Peace WITH God’ through our Lord Jesus Christ: ² By whom also we have Access By Faith into this Grace wherein We Stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (cf. ‘by Grace through faith’ (Eph 2:8-9) we are ‘holy and blameless’ “by Christ” (read Eph 1:3-5)

³ And not only so, but we glory in (exult in triumph over) tribulations also: knowing that… (our) tribulation worketh patience; ⁴And patience, experience; and experience, hope: ⁵And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which IS given unto us.

‘Knowing’ we’ve been ‘justified by faith’ (v2 above) we have ‘Access’ as we ‘Stand’ by “faith” in His “grace” (v2 above). We have “peace with God” and “the Peace OF God” within our spirit that “guards our heart and minds” as we turn to TRUST Him.

“Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷And The Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (garrison, guard) your hearts and minds (of your soul) through (in union with) Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).

“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power (Gk. dunamis) that worketh in us” (Eph. 3:20).

Christ’s Work ‘for us’: Romans 5:6-11 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died ‘for’ the ungodly. ⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. ⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, being now Justified by his Blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. ¹⁰For if, when we were enemies, we were Reconciled to God by the Death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved (Gk. sozo, completed) by his LIFE (within us). ¹¹And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the Atonement (Christ’s ‘atoning” sacrifice paid for our sins, reconciling us to God).

Rom. 5:12-21 describes Adam’s ‘disobedience” that brought ‘Sin and death” upon all men (v19) and Jesus Christ’s work of “obedience,” by which men may have “His life.” He is the ‘similar opposite’ (antonym) to the effect of Adam unto death.

Romans 5:12-21 Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) Sin entered into the world (of humanity), and Death by Sin; and so death passed upon all men (as a fatal infection), for that all have sinned: ¹³(For until “the law” sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed (counted) when there is no (Mosaic) law.

BUT: ¹⁴Nevertheless death (by Adam’s Sin) reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of (like) Adam’s transgression, who (Adam) is the figure of him (Christ) that was to come (Christ is the opposite “figure (pattern)” in that Christ’s righteousness is likewise passed to all who believe (cf 2Cor 5:21).

¹⁵But not as the offence (Sin has separated man and God), so also is the free gift (the Grace of reconciles man). For if through the offence of one (Adam) many be dead (toward God), much more the Grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. ¹⁶And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the (God’s) judgment was by One (Adam) to Condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences Unto Justification. ¹⁷For if by one man’s Offence (sin) Death Reigned by One; … much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the Gift of Righteousness shall Reign in Life by One, Jesus Christ.)

¹⁸Therefore as by the offence (sin) of One (Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One (Jesus Christ) the free gift came upon All men unto Justification of Life.

¹⁹ For as by one man’s (Adam’s) DISOBEDIENCE many were Made Sinners, so by the OBEDIENCE of one (Jesus Christ) shall many be Made Righteous.

²⁰ Moreover the Law entered, (so) that the offence (sins) might abound (become exceedingly sinful (see 1Cor 15:56). But where SIN (the nature) abounded, GRACE did much more abound (Grace outdid or bested Sin):

 ²¹ That as Sin hath REIGNED unto DEATH, even so might GRACE REIGN through righteousness unto ETERNAL LIFE BY Jesus Christ our Lord.

Col 3:4 … Christ, who is our life (Zoë, eternal Spirit life)…

Col 1:27 … this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 2 Cor 5:1 … we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle (body) were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house (spirit-body) not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.