Romans 5:17-21 (EHV) Indeed, if by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through the one man, it is even more certain that those who receive the overflowing grace of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ! 18 So then, just as one trespass led to a verdict of condemnation for all people, so also one righteous verdict led to life-giving justification for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of one man the many became sinners, so also through the obedience of one man the many will become righteous. 20 The law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace overflowed much more, 21 so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace would reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
V17 Indeed, if by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through the one man, it is even more certain that those who receive the overflowing grace of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ!
One man (Adam) committed one sin (ate fruit) which resulted in the whole Universe being cursed. One sin (James 2:10) can cause a person to spend eternity in hell.
This is a principle. Some believe that if I commit one sin, it is not so bad. But it is very bad.
The idea of reign shows that every human is conceived with a sin nature (Psalm 51:5) and needs redemption except the Lord Jesus (1 Peter 2:22).
Paul proceeds to describe the person who has believed in Jesus for salvation as having received the overflowing grace of righteousness. Salvation is from one man, Jesus, and all blessings of salvation flow from Jesus. The contrast is these:
One sin and one person condemned all people.
One sinless life and one person, Jesus, offers all people salvation if they believe in Him.
V18 So then, just as one trespass led to a verdict of condemnation for all people, so also one righteous verdict led to life-giving justification for all people.
Paul now summarizes. Just one sin, a small sin just a bite (God said do not eat) of fruit, led to the verdict of guilty. God is the Lawgiver, King of the Universe and beyond, and Judge of all. He has a standard. A ruler is the standard if a line is straight or not. God’s law is the standard for right and wrong.
Jesus, who fulfilled the Law, was given a verdict of not guilty. This is God’s standard.
Breaking God’s law leads to a guilty verdict and punishment.
Obeying God’s law leads to a not guilty verdict and life.
All humans are guilty.
Jesus is the only human not guilty.
V19 For just as through the disobedience of one man the many became sinners, so also through the obedience of one man the many will become righteous.
One man with one sin affected all humans with the sin nature, except one—Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:22).
One man with no sins affected all humans with the hope of forgiveness of sins.
The condition for salvation is punishment (Jesus, the sinless Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7)) bore the wrath of God. The condition to have salvation applied is faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).
V20 The law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace overflowed much more…
God (John 16:8) uses the Law to bring guilt so any person would not want to be punished and will call on the name of the Lord for salvation (Luke 18:13).
God’s grace is sufficient because Jesus was sufficient as the Passover Lamb and His atonement was accepted by God the Father (Hebrews 9:12).
No matter how many sins a person has committed, that person can be forgiven.
Comments:
(Bible Knowledge Commentary):
Is the statement in Romans 5:20 a purpose or a result clause? The coming of the Mosaic Law (clearly meant here in light of Romans 5:13-14) did result in the abounding of “the trespass” (the consequence of any law), but (also in the light of Romans 5:13-14 and Romans 4:15) the Mosaic Law came in “so that” (purpose) abounding sin might be recognized as abounding trespass.”
V21 …so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace would reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sin reigned because all sin results in death.
Grace can reign because of one perfect, sinless Passover Lamb—the Lord Jesus.
Without Jesus there is no salvation.
Without faith in Jesus there is no forgiveness.
The default eternity of all humans is eternal, conscious torment in the Lake of Fire.
The eternity of heaven can be had by believing in Jesus alone for salvation.
We learn:
- The dangerous consequences of one man’s sin.
- The worshipful consequences of one man’s obedience.
Questions:
- How have you dealt with your sin?
- What have you done with Jesus?