Issues in Romans #5

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ [5:1 NET].
The issue that is discussed in all the commentaries is whether or not the verb underlined (one word in Greek) is an indicative as it is understood above or a subjunctive ['let us have peace'] as it is read in several important manuscript witnesses [01 A B* C D K L 33 81 630 1175 1739* lat bo]. Those are some high powered witnesses. However, the indicative is not without its own persuasive lineup [01¹ B² F G P 044 0220^vid 104 365 1241 1505 1739^c 1881 2464].

When one weighs just the external evidence; the subjunctive gets the nod. While the first corrector is often of equal importance as the original hand and there is a good cross section of witnesses for the indicative, the subjunctive reading carries the day. As the NET Bible critique makes clear the "A" rating in UBS⁴ is much too confident. At best the external evidence warrants a "B" rating for the indicative. 

With that said, the indicative is likely the correct reading. Taking the possibility of a hearing error for granted, the strongest internal argument is that Paul has established what the NET notes calls the 'indicatives of the faith.' There is only one imperative and only one hortatory subjunctive used up to this point in the letter. After chapter 6 there are 61 imperatives and seven hortatory subjunctives. It seems an exhortation is out of place in this part of the epistle. 

The overall argument of the letter quite frankly demands the indicative. In 1:18-3:20 the apostle has been clear that all are sinners and in need of God's righteousness. In 3:21-up to this point—sinners are declared righteous by faith. Both are absolute standings with results. The state of sin results in the litany of OT texts in 3:10-18. The state of righteousness results in peace with God (5:1). Peace is not something to which the believer aspires; it is a result of a righteous standing. To add to the strength of peace as a result of justification Paul adds that believer also stands in the state of grace [5:2]. An indicative in 5:1 just fits the overall argument.

I'm not sure quite frankly that the subjunctive is good theology. Would it not imply something a person must do? The subjunctive would call for the individual to strive for peace or perhaps guard it. To me that would hardly be a Pauline thought. Peace with God is something God Himself provides and protects—not the sinner. As Cranfield notes, "it would surely be strange for Paul, in such a carefully argued writing at this, to exhort his readers to enjoy or to guard a peace which he has not yet explicitly shown to be possessed by them."

I would not quibble with a "B" rating in the UBS text. I would agree that the external evidence makes all conclusions a little less than absolute, but I believe the internal evidence makes it probable that the indicative is the original reading. The believer is justified and thus has peace with God—now and forever!

[By the way I greatly appreciate the NET Bible notes on textual issues such as this one!]