Romans 5:12-19

Text

Romans 5:12-19. Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:Romans 5:13 for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come. Romans 5:15 But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many. Romans 5:16 And not as through one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment came of one unto condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses unto condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses unto justification. Romans 5:17 For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even Jesus Christ. Romans 5:18 So then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness the free gift came unto all men to justification of life. Romans 5:19 For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous.

REALIZING ROMANS, Romans 5:12-19

203.

How does this section connect with the preceding one?

204.

In what way is it true that through Adam sin entered the world? He did not originate it, did he?

205.

Did death enter at the same time sin did? What death? i.e., what type of death?

206.

The same death which Adam brought by his sin spread to all men. Would you agree with that thought?

207.

The reason death passed to all men is that when Adam sinned they sinned. Or would you say they are to die for their own sins?

208.

Please note the past tense in sinned of Romans 5:12 b. What significance does it have?

209.

The law of Romans 5:13 is obviously the law of Mosessin was in the worldin what sense? Specify.

210.

The most difficult passage for interpretation in the whole book of Romans is the little phrase, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. What do you believe about it? Remember, you are obligated by God to attempt to know His will. The next phrase is a key to understanding. Read it.

211.

What death reigned from Adam to Moses?

212.

In what way has no one sinned like Adam?

213.

In several comparisons we can say we do sin like Adam. Mention two or three.

214.

Adam is like Christ. Specify two ways in which this is true.

215.

What are the trespass and the free gifts of Romans 5:15? Surely you know what the trespass is.

216.

The gift superseded the trespass in overcoming the results of the trespass. How so?

217.

The gift brought much more. In what way?

218.

In Romans 5:16 is yet another comparison. This one has to do with judgment. What is it?

219.

What is the condemnation and justification of Romans 5:16? Be careful, You could be wrong.

220.

Once again: what death reigned because of Adam's sin? Notice please, the persons of Romans 5:17 are those who have accepted Christ. Are some going to be lost, condemned, who never came to the age of accountability?

221.

Notice please in your attempt to understand Romans 5:17 that Christ's gift does more than merely overcome Adam's transgression and its effects, How is this true?

222.

Does Romans 5:18 teach that Adam caused all men to be lost, and Christ saved all men? In what sense? Remember, what you ascribe to Adam you must also ascribe to Christ.

223.

The many were made sinners (Romans 5:19 a). How did we define the word sinner? By Adam's sin all were made sinners. How can this be understood?

224.

The same connotation you place upon sinners must apply to the antithesis righteousness. What will it be?

Paraphrase

Romans 5:12-19. All mankind are brought into a state of salvation through Christ, for this reason, As by one man Adam, sin entered into the world, and by his sin death, and so death passed through the world to all men, because all have sinned; even so, by one man Christ, righteousness entered into the world, and by his righteousness life, and so life passed through the world to all men, because all have obeyed.

Romans 5:13 Death hath come on all men for Adam's sin; for, from the fall until the law, sin was counted to every person in the world; it was punished with death: but sin is not counted, when there is no law transgressed.

Romans 5:14 Nevertheless, death, the punishment of sin, reigned from Adam to Moses, even over infants and idiots, who, being incapable of law, had not sinned actually like Adam; who, because he brought death on all, may be called, by way of contrast, the representation of him who was to come and restore life to all.

Romans 5:15 However, the resemblance is not exact; for, not as the fall by Adam, so also is the gracious gift by Christ. They differ in their power, the one to kill, and the other to make alive: for if by the fall of the one man Adam, all mankind died, much more the goodness of God and the gift of life by that goodness, which is bestowed on account of the one man Jesus Christ, hath abounded to all mankind, by giving them life under the new covenant, and by raising them from the dead at the last day.

Romans 5:16 Secondly, Not like the sentence passed through the one who sinned, is the free gift of pardon which is bestowed through the one who obeyed. They differ in their causes and consequences: for verily the sentence was for one offence only, and issued in condemnation to death; but the gracious gift of pardon is of all offences, issuing in righteousness counted to the pardoned person, whereby he is entitled to the reward of eternal life.

Romans 5:17 Thirdly, If, consistently with justice, (as was shown Romans 5:12), by the fall of one man Adam, death hath reigned over all mankind, through that one man; much more is it consistent with justice and goodness, that they who receive the overflowing of grace, in the glorious resurrection of the body, (Romans 5:15), and of the gift of righteousness, (Romans 5:16) shall reign in the happy life which they are to regain through the one man Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:18 Well then, as it pleased God, through one offence committed by Adam, to pass sentence upon all men, condemning them to death temporal; even so, it pleased God, through one act of righteousness performed by Christ, to pass sentence on all men, justifying, that is, delivering them from immediate death, and allowing them to live a while on earth, and declaring that, after death, they shall all be raised from, the dead.

Romans 5:19 And as through the disobedience of one man, all were made liable to sin and punishment, notwithstanding many of them never heard of Adam, or of his disobedience; even so, through the obedience of one man, all have been, are, and shall be made capable of righteousness and eternal life, notwithstanding many of them never heard of the person through whom these blessings are bestowed.

Summary

By one man sin entered into the world, and death by that sin. Sin was in the world before the law, but not counted. From Adam to Moses men died, though guilty of no sin like Adam'S. Adam was a type of Christ, but not in all respects. The sin not like the gift, By the sin of one all died. The favor of God and the gift of Christ abound to all. Nor was the sentence like the gift. The sentence was because of one sin; the gift consists in being justified from many sins. Through one sin death reigns over all; yet all who are justified will reign in life through Christ. As by one sin all have been condemned, so by Christ's death all are to be so far justified as to live. By the sin of Adam all are constituted sinners; by the death of Christ all are constituted just.

Comment

5. Adam and Christ contrasted. Romans 5:12-21

Since the subject of sin had been introduced along with its results, Paul now thought it only logical to offer the explanation of the existence of sin, and at the same time show how Christ completely answered every need man incurred through sin. The facts presented concerning Adam and his part in the circumstances must have been common knowledge to the Jew. The Jew must have known from ages past that through one man sin entered into the world. John tells us that sin is lawlessness (A. R. V.), or the transgression of law is sin (K. J. V. I. 1 John 3:4). God gave a law to Adam. He said, Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it. (Genesis 2:17 a). Adam, through the influence of his wife, transgressed this law and thus sin entered the world. Where there is no penalty there is no power in the law; hence we find Jehovah not only giving a law, but also pronouncing punishment for disobediencefor in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:17 b). Hence we see the twofold result of Adam's actsin and death.

Now we come to those few words that have occasioned so much discussion and controversy. Here they are; read them carefully and think upon them as we make a few observations.. and so death passed unto all men for that all sinned. The literal translation of Moses E. Lard is good: ... and thus it (death) spread to all men, because all sinned. What is the death spoken of? It must surely be the same type of death associated with Adam, for it is so used in this verse. The same death that Adam suffered is the death that spread to all men. What type of death then did Adam suffer? The only death spoken of in the life and experience of Adam was the cessation of physical life described in Genesis 5:5 where it says, ... and he died. While it is probably true that Adam also died spiritually, the subject of physical or natural death is the main one under discussion in this passage. We hope to clear this up by further study. Until then please keep it in mind. Romans 5:12 a

103.

Show the reasonableness of introducing the thought of the section Romans 5:12-21.

104.

Explain in your own words how through one man sin entered the world.

105.

What is the twofold result of Adam's act?

106.

What is the thought of Lard's literal rendering of verse two?

How can it be explained that Adam did not die in the day that he first sinned? The first answer is that he did begin to die then for he was cut off from the tree of life. Corruption and enfeeblement of his body immediately resulted which ultimately brought death. The second is that he was granted an extension of life because of the promise of God (Genesis 3:15) concerning the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, which as we shall see counteracted the physical death resulting from Adam's sin.

Adam suffered physical death for this one sin of his and this death spread to all men, because all sinned. When and how did all men sin so as to bring death into every life? Is death the result of the wilful sin in the life of each individual? Surely not, for how then can we account for the death of babies who have no reasoning power and are not yet responsible? The only explanation seems to lie in the fact that when Adam sinned all men sinned also. McGarvey says: ... one act of sin brought sentence of condemnation unto death upon all because all were in sinful Adam as their forefather, thus sharing his act. Moses E. Lard said, God decreed beforehand that if Adam sinned, both he and all his posterity should die. Thus we see according to the justice of God how the sentence of death passed to all men. Though God has not clearly revealed just why Adam's descendants had to die for his one sin, the following statements may throw a little light on the answer. The answer seems to be based on this one fact, that at the time of Adam's sin he had no children. Had the full death penalty been inflicted upon Adam and Eve in the day of their sin, their descendants would have effectively received the penalty also seeing that they (the descendants) would thus have been denied the chance to live at all. Thus, because God's justice would have extended to both Adam and his posterity, also must God's mercy in lengthening Adam's life extend to his offspring in giving them a limited physical life. There also was given to man the opportunity to counteract his personal sin and to receive eternal life after death by availing himself of God's pardon and all the benefits of the promise (Genesis 3:15) fulfilled. Romans 5:12 b*.

[*It is interesting to notice that there are three exceptions to the statement, death passed to all men: Enoch (Genesis 5:24), Elijah (2 Kings 2:1; 2 Kings 2:11-12) and the living Christians at the time of Christ's coming (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).]

107.

Give your reasons for believing the death spoken of in the case of Adam was physical.

108.

How can we say that Adam died in the day that he ate?

109.

Why do you believe Adam's descendants had to die for his sin?

After Adam's sin until the law of Moses, sin as a transgression of God's will was in the world. There were laws of sacrifice (consider Cain and Abel) and there was a law against murder (Genesis 9:6) and also other laws of right and wrong. (Genesis 26:5). If there had been no law the people of this period could not be held responsible before God for their deeds. That the people of this period sinned personally as well as in Adam is evident, Romans 5:13.

Nevertheless (in spite of their personal sins) they all died. Their personal sins had nothing to do with the fact that physical death at some time overtook each of them. They died even though they had not sinned as Adam did. The natural consequence of Adam's sin both to him and his posterity was physical death. Though for some sins men might be put to death at the hands of society, such a death is not a natural result of their sin as is death from Adam's sin. Since, then, there was no law (and still is none), the breaking of which would bring physical death, we can see that it would be impossible to sin just as Adam did. Their sin which did bring death to them was unlike Adam's in that they sinned in him and were not personally responsible, while Adam was personally responsible. Romans 5:14 a.

The last part of Romans 5:14 points out that Adam is a type, a figure of him that was to come, Christ (cp. Romans 5:15 b). The comparison and contrast of Adam and Christ is not so much a personal likeness or unlikeness, but rather a viewing of their respective acts and the consequences of their acts. The similarity between them is seen only as far as the scope or range of their work is equal. Where the scope of Christ's work exceeds that of Adam, there is no longer a likeness but a contrast. Also a contrast is seen in the nature of the respective accomplishments of Adam and Christ. Romans 5:14 b.

In Romans 5:15 a the work of Adam (his first sin) is referred to as the trespass, and the work of Christ (the benefits of his death, burial and resurrection) as the free gift. The contrast is seen in that the trespass and the free gift are opposite in nature and also in that the latter superseded the former. Paul continues on (Romans 5:15 b) to say that if because of Adam's one sin physical death came to all, then the sacrificial act of Christ not only counteracts physical death but much more. Adam's sin brought physical death to all without any hope of a resurrection and still less hope of immorality. Christ by His obedience unto death redeems all men from physical death by accomplishing for them the resurrection of the dead. Thus far the range of their accomplishments are the same; the work of Christ has only cancelled the work of Adam.

110.

Explain Romans 5:13.

111.

What is the meaning of the term nevertheless in Romans 5:14?

112.

What two exceptions are there to the statement, death passed to all men?

113.

What is compared and contrasted in Adam and Christ?

114.

What is the meaning of the term free gift?

Now we come to explain the much more of Romans 5:15 b. Christ's accomplishments did not stop at merely cancelling the effect of Adam's sin but far superseded it by making available to all a means whereby forgiveness of personal sins and eternal life could be obtained. Christ's act unconditionally accomplished for all the resurrection from the dead which will release them from the penalty of their sin in Adam. This, however, is not sufficient, for all have committed other sins than the one they committed in Adam, and for these there are other punishments beside physical death. Though Adam and his descendants will all be freed from physical death there is spiritual death with which all must reckon. Here we see the much more in that the work of Christ surpasses in scope that of Adam by bringing release from spiritual death also. Adam and his offspring receive physical death as a result of his one sin. They also receive spiritual death as a result of their personal sins. The free gift counteracts the former unconditionally and the latter conditionally, through faith and obedience. Adam's act condemned many to physical death. Christ's act rescues all from physical death. Christ's act does more; it also saves from spiritual death those who have faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 5:15 b.

Further contrast is seen in Romans 5:16. Through Adam's first sin he only was condemned to spiritual death. But through the free gift the many personal sins of all who believe and obey Christ are forgiven. Those who are thus forgiven are justified from their many trespasses and at the same time saved from spiritual death. Christ's death atoned not just for our sin in Adam, which brought physical death, but also for our many personal sins, which brought spiritual death. Romans 5:16

In Romans 5:17 the apostle gives us two graphic word pictures. In the first, he describes death as a tyrant king reigning over the world because of Adam's sin. In the same picture, he also describes those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness as kings who reign in life because of Jesus Christ. The second picture shows how far the effect of the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness surpasses in scope that of the trespass. Here again we see the words much more, The thought undoubtedly is that in Christ we are not only saved from physical death but also from spiritual death. God's grace unconditionally cancels the effect of Adam's sin (physical death) in the lives of all. But the abundance of God's grace cancels the effect of personal sins (spiritual death) in the lives of those who will receive it through faith and obedience. Romans 5:17

115.

What is the meaning of the words much more in Romans 5:15 b?

116.

Explain Romans 5:16.

117.

What is the word picture in Romans 5:17?

In summary of the previous words, we have Romans 5:18. The inspired writer simply says: through one trespass (Adam's sin) the judgment (or we could say the sentence) came unto all men to condemnation (that is, all men had to suffer the penalty of the sentence which was physical death); contrariwise, even so through the one act of righteousness (the death of Christ) the free gift came unto all men (the provision of forgiveness in His blood) to justification of life (the full result of the free gift).

In Romans 5:19 we find the reasons given for the statement made in Romans 5:18. In Romans 5:18 we have the plain statement made that sentence was passed upon all men and all men died, but that all could live through Christ. No reasons were given for these conclusions but now we are informed of the circumstances. All die because through the disobedience of Adam they were made (or constituted) sinners. Likewise the many are to be given life because through the obedience of the one the many were made (or constituted) righteous. In what sense were they sinners and in what sense were they righteous? Surely it would be without reason to say that any man had a part in the personal guilt of Adam's sin except Adam. The very thought of the word constitute or made has to do with an act not of man himself but of an objective accomplishment. If man was to be held accountable in a personal way for Adam's sin the text would read, through the one man's disobedience the many were sinners, thus placing the guilt upon them and suggesting personal participation and responsibility, Again the same reasoning used to show personal guilt or responsibility in Adam's sin would provide universal salvation with no personal effort on the part of man. If through the one act of disobedience all men had a personal participation in that act without any act of volition upon their part at all, then through the second Adam's act of obedience all men could and would be saved or constituted righteous with no act of choice upon their part. This is a parallel and such would have to be the conclusion. The only possible sense in which all men could be constituted sinners through Adam's disobedience would be that they sinned in Adam and in this sense were constituted sinners, and hence suffer physical death. Romans 5:18-19

118.

What is the thought of condemnation unto all men in Romans 5:18?

119.

What is the import of the thought made sinners in Romans 5:19?

A SURPASSING RECONCILIATION

By WILBUR FIELDS

Romans 5:12-19

INTRODUCTION: Romans 5:12-14

1.

God reconciled the world to himself through Christ.

2.

To reconcile us, God had to overcome the effects of Adam's sin.

a.

Sin entered through Adam.

b.

Death entered through his sin.

c.

Death passed to all men, because all sinned.

3.

The reconciliation which we have in Christ supersedes every evil effect we suffer in Adam.

PROPOSITION: Some aspects of man's surpassing reconciliation.

I.

THE POWER OF ADAM'S SIN IS COMPLETELY OVERCOME IN CHRIST. Romans 5:15

1.

The power of Adam's sin brought the death penalty to all.

2.

Christ has power to reverse the death penalty and to provide escape from our own sins.

II.

THE SENTENCE OF ADAM IS ECLIPSED BY THE CONTRASTING GIFT OF CHRIST. Romans 5:16

1.

Adam's sentence came because of one sin, which brought condemnation to all men.

2.

Christ's gift brings justification from many sins.

III.

THE REIGN OF DEATH THROUGH ADAM'S SIN IS WONDERFULLY OVERTHROWN IN CHRIST. Romans 5:17

1.

Because of the trespass, death reigned through the one man.

2.

Because of the free gift, they that receive it shall themselves reign in life through Jesus Christ.

IV.

THE EFFECTS OF ADAM'S SIN ARE CONTRASTED WITH THOSE OF CHRIST'S GIFT. Romans 5:18-19

1.

Through the trespass, judgment came upon all men to condemnation.

2.

Through the one act of justification, the free gift came to all men, bringing justification and life.

3.

This is explained in the fact of imputed conditions.

a.

The many were made sinners in Adam.

b.

The many were made just in Christ.

CONCLUSION