Romans 5:4 (DRB)

Passage

And patience trial; and trial hope;

Nearby Context

Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access through faith into this grace wherein we stand: and glory in the hope of the glory of the sons of God.

Romans 5:3 And not only so: but we glory also in tribulation, knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Romans 5:4 And patience trial; and trial hope;

Romans 5:5 And hope confoundeth not: because the charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost who is given to us.

Romans 5:6 For why did Christ, when as yet we were weak, according to the time, die for the ungodly?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "patience", "trial", and "hope". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "patience" and "trial", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 3's "And not only so but we glory..." into verse 5's "And hope confoundeth not because the charity...", so "patience" and "trial" 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 "patience" and "trial" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.