Romans 5:3 (ASV)

Passage

And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness;

Nearby Context

Romans 5:1 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;

Romans 5:2 through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness;

Romans 5:4 and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope:

Romans 5:5 and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "only", "rejoice", "tribulations", "knowing", "worketh", and "stedfastness". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "only" and "rejoice", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 2's "through whom also we have had our..." into verse 4's "and stedfastness approvedness and approvedness hope...", so "only" and "rejoice" belong inside that flow. In Romans context, the local focus is righteousness by faith, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and God's covenant faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "only" and "rejoice" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.