Romans 5:20,21

Text

Romans 5:20-21. And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly: Romans 5:21 that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

REALIZING ROMANS, Romans 5:20-21

225.

The law made sin abound. In what sense? Isn-'t it wrong to associate sin with God's law?

226.

Grace overcame sin by what process? In what sense is grace. super abounding?

227.

Sin reigned through its king. Grace reigned through its king. Name the kings. Explain.

228.

What law is meant by Romans 5:20 a? Try to be as sure as possible in your answer. This will require thinking through the section. Do it!

Paraphrase

Romans 5:20-21. But when Adam was allowed to live, law secretly entered into the world as the rule of man's conduct, even the law written on his heart, so that the offence hath abounded. However, where sin hath abounded, through the entrance of law, the goodness of God in the new covenant hath super abounded, through the gift of pardon granted to all penitent believers:

Romans 5:21 That as sin, both original and actual, hath tyrannized over mankind by introducing and continuing death in the world, with its train of sorrows and miseries; so also the goodness of God might reign, that is effectually exercises its power, through righteousness, (Romans 5:16.), even the righteousness of faith, followed with eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Summary

The law entered that sin might increase. But the law did not increase sin by creating it. It increased it merely by discovering to men certain acts as sins, which before they had not known to be sins. But the more sin thus increased, the more favor to those committing it abounded. Sin, like a monster, reigned formerly and still reigns unnaturally in death. Favor, on the contrary, now reigns chiefly through or by means of justification. Hereafter it will reign in and through eternal life.

Comment

This whole section has discussed but one thought: the analogy of Christ and Adam. The Jew had ever before his mind the law, so Paul answers the question of the Jewish mind and shows the relation of the law to this circumstance. Sin entered the world and the results of sin immediately followed. Now, in addition to sin and its results, the law came. For what purpose was it given? Well, we have been discussing sin, so what relation does the law have to sin? It came that the trespass might abound. It came, not to cause men to sin, but to emphasize the sinfulness of transgression and to lay before the mind and conscience of man many more prohibitions or laws, the violation of which would be sin. In stepping across God's law, man did sin, and after the giving of the law sin surely did abound in the number of violations. Thus did the law cause the trespass to abound. But where sin did abound grace did abound more exceedingly. Thus does the apostle point out the answer of God through Christ to man's sin. (In this case it was most especially pointed out to those under the law.) Romans 5:20

Once more the view of the two kings is brought to our attention. This time it is the personification of sin and grace. Sin could occupy the throne of the world and hold sway over each individual upon the earth, for into his hand had been given the power of death. This sentence had been pronounced upon every man; thus were all his slaves. But there is another king, King Grace. In his scepter he holds the power of righteousness, which means that God has provided to free man from the guilt of Adam's sin and to deliver him from physical death; yes, much more, to free man from his personal sins and deliver him from spiritual death into eternal life. This king (King Grace) reigns only because of Jesus Christ our Lord; yes, he reigns through him. Romans 5:21

120.

What is the alternative to the interpretation that we give?

121.

Explain Romans 5:20.

122.

Name the two kings of Romans 5:21 and describe briefly the reign of each.

Rethinking in Outline Form

3.

Results of Justification. Romans 5:1-5

a.

Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 b

b.

Access into the covenant of grace. Romans 5:2 a

c.

Rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2 b

d.

Rejoicing in tribulations, since they will result in steadfastness, approvedness and hope. Romans 5:3-4. This hope will be fulfilled because:

e.

God loves us. This love of God for us is shown by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5

4.

A Review of our state before justification. Romans 5:6-11

a.

We were weak and ungodly, yet Christ died for us. Romans 5:6

b.

While yet sinners Christ expressed the love of God in dying for those for whom no man would think of risking his life. Romans 5:7-8

c.

We were under the guilt and punishment of sin. Through the death of Christ we are released both from the guilt and punishment. Romans 5:9-10

d.

We were desperately in need of reconciliation. Now that we have received it, our hearts are full of rejoicing. Romans 5:11

5.

Adam and Christ Compared and Contrasted. Romans 5:12-21

a.

A description of Adam and his work. Romans 5:12-14

(1)

Sin entered the world through Adam. Romans 5:12 a

(2)

Death came as a result of his sin. Romans 5:12 b

(3)

Death spread to all men, for all were in Adam when he sinned.

(4)

Sin was in the world before the law, but no penalty of death was attached to sin. Romans 5:13

(5)

Even so, death did reign from Adam to Moses, not because of the sinfulness of individual persons, but because of Adam's sin. Romans 5:14

b.

The Comparison and Contrast. Romans 5:15-19

ADAM

CHRIST

Brought the trespass. Romans 5:15 a

Brought the free gift.

Through the trespass the many died Romans 5:15 b

Through the free gift much more givenlife physical and eternal.

One sinned and brought the judgment of condemnation upon himself. Romans 5:16

Through the free gift of Christ justification was provided for the many who trespassed.

Death reigned through the trespass. Romans 5:17

Much more was given through Christ's abundant grace.

Through one came the judgment to condemnationi.e., physical death, for all men. Romans 5:18

Through the free gift came justification to physical life for all men.

Through one act of disobedience the many were made sinners; i.e., they had to pay the physical death penalty for Adam's sin. Romans 5:19

Through the obedience of the one the many were made righteous, i.e., were freed from the penalty of death and given an opportunity for justification.

c.

The purpose of the law in its relation to the above comparison and contrast. Romans 5:20-21