Romans 5:15

But not Here, after the parallel of Adam and Christ, is stated the glorious differenceof the work of Christ. This occupies Romans 5:15-17. The difference is, the vastly greater wonderof His Work and its Result.

offence Lit. stumbling. Our word "offence" comes from the Latin for the same, and is so used here by E. V.

if Here (as in Romans 5:10,) the "if" nearly = "as."

of one Lit. of the one; the one personal Offender in view.

many be dead Lit. the many died. See on "all have sinned," (an exact parallel,) Romans 5:12. "The many:" "many," in contrast to their one forefather; "themany," as those in question here. They are, in this case, all mankind.

much more, &c. Here notice the respect in whichRedemption is so far "in excess of" Ruin. Not in respect of numbersaffected; because, on any theory, the redeemed are no more numerousthan the ruined, who are the whole race. It is in respect of the qualityof the cause and the effect. Redemption is a positive exercise of surpassing grace and love, resulting in a glorious and eternal reversal, in the subjects of it, of the previous ruin; indeed, more than a reversal, because it brings with it the exaltationgiven to the brethren of the Second Adam. The "much more" here, and in Romans 5:17, is thus q. d., "The fall of the First Adam caused vast results of evil; the work of the far greater Second Adam shall much more cause vast results of good."

the grace of God His positivefavour; whereas He merely let the law take its courseat the Fall.

the gift, &c. Lit. the gift in the grace of one Man, Jesus Christ. The "grace of Christ" is the loving favour to man shewn by Him in His work. The "gift" which was given "in" (i.e. practically "through," or "by,") that grace is the eternal life of the justified. "The one Man:" "Man"is emphatic, indicating the Lord's position as the Second Adam, and, (as this Man is Jesus Christ,) the supreme greatness of the Second Adam.

hath abounded Lit. did abound unto the many. The reference is to the historic fact of His Work. "The many:" here again, "many" in contrast to the One-ness of their Head; "themany," as the persons here in question. These here, (as e.g. Romans 5:13-19 explain,) are the justified. See below on Romans 5:18. "Abounded:" the idea is of Divine liberalityin mercy, as opposed to the no more than legal justiceof the condemnation.