A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 35 Chapter 5:15 – 17

Introduction

Let us remember verses 13 – 17 is a deeper explanation of 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:”

a. Verse 13 “ The thought here is that even though there was no God given law from Adam to Moses that man is less accountable to God.

b. Paul said in verse 13 “For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.”

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.” Paul made note spiritual death existed from Adam to Moses and the giving of the law, even though it was not a “similitude of Adam's transgression” that is a likeness of Adams sin. Anything in an unholy matter is sin whether there a law against it or not, some refer to this as the law of nature.
Paul’s point in verse 12 is this; Adam sinned and because of his sin the entire human race is born spiritually dead no exceptions except Jesus Christ who had no human father. So it is not about “our sins” we are all condemned by Adams sin, so law or not, natural law or not, sin reigns from Adam on through all of time.

Verse 15 “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.”

“But not as the offence, so also is the free gift...”

a. Death is the results of Adam’s sin, death meaning condemnation to eternal hell, So Paul (in turning the tide) says “But not as the offence” meaning like unto this punishment is “the free gift.” The free gift of grace and Jesus Christ and eternal Salvation, unlike what the first Adam gave us all.

b. While there can be similarities in Adam and Christ Jesus in that both are “federal heads” one brought death to all and the other brings redemption to some, one makes us dirty and the other makes us clean, all of this in each single person.

“…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.”

a. Please do not connect the word “many” as in “through the offence of one many be dead” with the word “many” with salvation “which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many” while they do both come from the same Greek word, it has many different meanings; (largely, altogether, and it also means much, often) I think there is no doubt the first word means altogether. 1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

b. However the second one means just as it is in text because we are not “altogether” given grace unless the grace is used in a general sense as in all of the elect.

c. As Barnes' Notes on the New Testament puts it “The gracious gift; the benefits flowing from that grace. This refers to the blessings of salvation. Which is by one man. Standing in contrast with Adam.” So as Paul put it “But not as the offence”

d. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: (15.) And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” Not that all will be saved nor have the gift of grace but just as all die in one man so all that will be saved will be saved by One Man. Matthew 20:28 “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Verse 16 is a deeper explanation of verse 15 also, “And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.”

“And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift…” so by one man comes sin to all of mankind so is the gift of grace and the gift of salvation by One Man.
“…for the judgment was by one to condemnation…” The judgment of one (Adam) which was death and that is both physical and spiritual effected the entire human race is condemned by the same way and for the same sin.

a. 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.”

b. Genesis 3:17-19 “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; (18.) Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; (19.) In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

“…for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.”

a. Now while the condemnation of Adam and all of mankind was for one single sin; the free gift of salvation is for many sins or all of the sins of the saved as a whole.

b. The gift of grace and the gift of salvation and the gift of forgiveness is “hath abounded unto many.” Let us remember this word “abounded” means superabound or increases; the more we sin the more forgiveness we receive. No matter what kind of sinner we are we never pass His grace or forgiveness.

c. Jesus did not die for one single sin (although we are al condemned by one single sin) but for all our sins.

Verse 17 “For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)”

1. Paul closes his thoughts on verse 12.