A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 34 Chapter 5:12 – 17

 

  1. Verse 12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
    1. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin…” Man has a very gross misconception; they believe we are condemned by our sin.

a.       Sin comes through Adam, mankind born (that is every human being born; remember Adam and Eve were created and not born) is born a sinner.

b.      We do not become sinners we are born condemned therefore it is not unthinkable that we are born liar. Psa 58:3 “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.” The “wicked” is anyone without Christ. 

c.       The Lord says here because of this one mans sin all of mankind is dead and therefore condemned.

d.      Some would like to argue that verse 13 this could not be true but remember there was a law before the law of Moses Genesis 2:17 “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” And it was because of this one single sin all of mankind are born condemned.  Verse 12 “…and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

e.       It is only because of the love, grace, mercy, and kindness of God that some were saved from that eternal damnation.

    1. 1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
    2. This is known as the federal headship of Adam; Adam is the natural head of the human race. Christ is the second Adam or the Christian federal headship. 1 Corinthians 15:45 - 47 "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. (46.) Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. (47.) The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”
    3. All die under Adam and some live under Christ.
  1. Verses 13 – 17 is a deeper explanation of verse 12
    1. Verse 13 “(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.”

a.       Please do not take this that because the law (10 commandments) was not written that there was no sin because Paul says “For until the law sin was in the world” in the fact Adam broke God’s law and condemned all of mankind.

b.      While there may not have been laws of God broken there was rebellion against God. Never think Cain’s murder of his brother was not a sinful act just because God had not sent His law. And the entire world of mankind had rebelled against God to the point God was repented that He had created mankind. Genesis 6:6 “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” The word repented means - to sigh, that is, breathe strongly; by implication to be sorry – God did not change His mind but rather became angry at mans acts of rebellion.

c.       While it may be possible that Cain’s sin of murder was not held to his account as breaking God’s law it was sin and rebellion against God at the least. However sin was in the world and what Adam did was sin and what Cain did was sin. If those sins are treated somewhat different by God does not really matter, sin is sin and Adams sin condemns all of mankind to eternal destruction unless we are redeemed by Christ’s blood.      

    1.  Verse 14 “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.”

a.       Two most important points here in verse 13 “…sin was in the world…” While there was not law yet there was sin from Adam to Moses. Secondly; verse 14 “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses…” While there was not law there was sin and also death. The sin was simply a rebellion instead of lawbreaking.

b.      It could be that there was a question during this time about Adams sin not being sin since there was no law which could have brought this thought, however Paul’s explanation was brilliant.

c.       “…even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression…” The word “similitude” means – resemblance or likeness – We nor they had to copy Adams sin for condemnation no more than we (as Christians) had to die on the cross for salvation. Even though Cain did not break God’s only law (eating of the forbidden fruit) he was still a sinner; not because of the murder but because of his father Adam.

d.      “…who is the figure of him that was to come.”  Christ is the “of him that was to come.”  Christ would come like Adam (federal headships) While Adam brought spiritual death to all of mankind; Christ brought spiritual life to all (that is to all the elect) The best example of this is found in; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. (22.) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

e.       Paul explains deeper in verse15 "But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many." By one man all of mankind was condemned in likeness in one man all of the elect of God will live.