Romans 5:3 (DBY)

Passage

And not only [that], but we also boast in tribulations, knowing that tribulation works endurance;

Nearby Context

Romans 5:1 Therefore having been justified on the principle of faith, we have peace towards God through our Lord Jesus Christ;

Romans 5:2 by whom we have also access by faith into this favour in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:3 And not only [that], but we also boast in tribulations, knowing that tribulation works endurance;

Romans 5:4 and endurance, experience; and experience, hope;

Romans 5:5 and hope does not make ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by [the] Holy Spirit which has been given to us:

Study Lenses

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

The nearby context moves from verse 2's "by whom we have also access by..." into verse 4's "and endurance experience and experience hope...", so "only" and "boast" 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 "boast" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.