18 The Triumph of Faith – Part 3

In the previous section in Romans 5, Paul discussed at length, how God has reconciled the believer to Himself. But He didn’t only reconcile us, He did so when we were “without strength” – in other words, while we were still in the depths of sin.

Now, in the final portion of the chapter, Paul will stress our need for such reconciliation.

1 Sin and Death

While Paul had already discussed mankind’s need to be reconciled, he seemed to feel the need to stress the point, since there were many who apparently still did not understand that they had come into the world as sinful:

Romans 5:12

In that passage, Paul was establishing that sin entered the world through one man (Adam).

Several passages of Scripture speaks of how all men are born as sinners, including the following one penned by David;

Psalm 51:5

Therefore, we’re shown that David’s sin did not simply result in personal ramifications but brought forth consequences for all his descendants.

Paul then spoke of how sin brings forth death, which the Lord Himself stated both before and after Adam’s sin. Here’s what Eve said when speaking to the serpent:

Genesis 3:2

And then the words of Ezekiel many years later:

Ezekiel 18:4

2 The Law and Sin

In this next section, Paul speaks much in the way an attorney would in a courtroom. His purpose is to lay the groundwork, anticipating how some might argue against the connection between sin and death:

Romans 5:13-14

Once again, Paul was establishing that sin was in the world because of the actions of one man, Adam, which would prove that sin did not come about by breaking God’s Law as some believed.

It was a simple fact, since the Law was given to Moses, long after the fall of Adam and Eve.

Paul wanted to show that the Law can neither prevent nor save is from sin.

Verse 13, must be understood in context with what Paul had previously said, by stating “where there is no law there is no transgression.”:

Romans 4:15

In that verse, Paul wasn’t suggesting the sin and sinners didn’t exist before the Law was given, nor was he suggestion that man lacked the necessary knowledge regarding his sinfulness, since in the beginning of the epistle, Paul spoke of how God reveals Himself even through nature and the Creation itself.

The passage shows how sin doesn’t present the characteristic of the Law exposing it. Therefore, the Law points to (highlights) our sinfulness.

In verse 14, Paul then clearly states, how death (and therefore sin) reigned from Adam until Moses, in others words, before the Law was given.

In the same verse, he referred to Adam as being “a type of Him who was to come.”

While Adam was sinless when he was created, that changed when he committed the first sin. Whereas Jesus, God in the flesh, remains always sinless.

While Adam’s sin produced negative consequences for all his descendants, as Savior, Jesus provides eternal life for all who believe and trust in Him.

3 Contrasting Adam and Jesus

Romans 5:15-19

Adam’s sinful actions resulted in both physical and spiritual death for him and his descendants.

On the other hand, all who are in Christ, are the recipients of what Paul described as the “free gift” speaking of God’s grace which leads to eternal life.

Paul said much the same thing to the Corinthians church:

1 Corinthians 15:45

And then:

1 Corinthians 15:47

As a created being, and in his state of sin, Adam could only produce that which sinful and temporal.

Jesus however provides that which is lasting and is “free” – because He freely gives eternal life.

In verse 16, Paul shows how Adam’s sin resulted in God’s judgment.

However, the same verse provides the wonderful news of how God’s grace is greater than any sin:

Romans 5:16c

God gives the “free gift” (grace) because of mankind’s “offenses” (sin).

Paul concludes verse 16 by showing that the grace results in man’s “justification” – literally, being made righteous before God.

Therefore, Paul effectively shows that God’s grace is far greater than our sins could ever be:

Romans 5:17

And because God’s abundant grace not only cleanses our sins, but provides eternal life, is made clear by the statement at the end of the verse: “reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ”.

In verses 18 and 19, Paul reinforces what he had previously established, that all are under the curse of sin and death, because of Adam’s sin.

Yet, in both verses, he shows how Jesus overcame both. In verse 18, he speaks of Jesus’ obedience, and willingly offering Himself at Calvary. And then in verse 19, because of the Lord’s obedience, we are “made righteous”.

4 Abounding Grace

Romans 5:20-21

Once again, Paul desired to stress that the purpose of the Law is to highlight offenses that have been committed.

The sin was indeed present before being exposed by the Law.

The Law not only reveals the sin, but the degree of the sin as well.

Paul also desired to bring great hope, after having discussed how everyone is under the specter of sin. The great hope is God’s abundant grace.

Even though sin might abound, God’s grace abounded much more.

This is frequently referred to as “the much more grace of God”:

Romans 5:20b

The phrase “abounded much mode” literally means “super-abounded” – in other words, a recipient of a great abundance of grace.

In verse 21, Paul again contrasts sin and grace.

He speaks of how sin reigned in death, showing that in the end, the only thing sin will provide is spiritual death.