"And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
— Romans 5:5 (NIV)
Romans 5:5 is the verse about God's love "poured out into our hearts." This page gives the verse, where it sits in Romans 5, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Love and the Holy Spirit, Bible verses about God's love, and Bible verses about hope.
Free PDF
Get the free 30 Days of Love Verses PDF
Sign up for the daily Bible verse email, and get the free 30 Days of Love Verses PDF. 30 Days of Love Verses · Open the PDF
The verse
The King James says, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
"Hope" is elpis (G1680), confident expectation. "Put to shame" is kataischynō (G2617), to disappoint or disgrace. "Love" is agapē (G26). "Poured out" is from ekcheō (G1632), to pour out or spill freely, and "Spirit" is pneuma (G4151).
Where it sits in Romans 5
The chapter opens, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). Paul goes on: "we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" (Romans 5:3-4).
Verse 5 says that hope will not let us down, and gives the reason: God's love. Three verses later Paul shows what that love looks like: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
What the verse is saying
Hope built on suffering could sound fragile. Paul says it is not, because it rests on God's love, and that love is not held at a distance. It has been poured into believers' hearts by the Holy Spirit.
"Poured out" is a picture of more than enough, not a measured drop. And the Spirit is described as already "given to us," not something still to be earned. For more, see Romans 8:38-39, Bible verses about the Holy Spirit, and Bible verses about suffering.
Questions people ask
What does Romans 5:5 say?
In the NIV it says, "And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." The KJV says, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
What does "hope does not put us to shame" mean?
It means this hope will not disappoint. The person who hopes in God will not end up embarrassed for having trusted him.
Is "the love of God" in Romans 5:5 God's love for us or our love for God?
Most readers take it as God's love for us. The next verses explain it that way: "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
What comes before Romans 5:5?
Romans 5:3-4 says, "we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Verse 5 explains why that hope holds.
What verse goes with Romans 5:5?
Romans 5:8 shows God's love in Christ's death. Galatians 5:22 lists love first in the fruit of the Spirit.
