12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Commentary
Having declared the way of justification, the Apostle now moves back to the beginning explaining to us through whom sin entered the world, and through whom redemption from sin comes.
Vs. 12 Sin entered the world through Adam, the first created human being, from whom all other human beings came, and so Adam is, as the commentaries like to call him, the feudal head of the entire human race. Now when Adam partook of the fruit which Eve his wife offered him, which God forbid them both to eat, they both died (that is they both became estranged from the life of God at that moment) and thus sin entered the world through Adam's disobedience. For that is what sin is, disobedience to the will of God. And so when sin entered the world, not just Adam and Eve became estranged from God, but all of creation became estranged from Him. Since God had set Adam over all of His creation and charged Adam with keeping it, it is thus through Adam that sin entered the world, and thus all of creation became estranged from God with him, because he was the "head" whom God placed over all of creation. And that is the state of this world, and all of creation with it. Estranged from God because of one mans sin, which by default brought with it death and corruption to one and to all. That is what the main point the Apostle Paul is making in verse twelve to fourteen that through one man, Adam, sin entered the world and thus death spread to all men because all sinned. That is in Adam all men (all humanity) sinned in the sight of God, and so there is no one born since Adam who cannot be charged with having not sinned, since death comes to us all. Now that principal of sin and death coming to all through ones disobedience, will also be the principal of God that will bring justification to life through One Man the Lord Jesus Christ, though we are getting ahead of ourselves, and so we will wait to discuss that.
Vs. 13 Though sin was in the world from the beginning, God was not imputing sin, until the law came in. And so through the Law we see the principal of death through sin played out time and again, both in God's judgments against it, and in the required sacrifices for it, which was the shedding of sacrificial blood to atone for it (Heb 9.22).
Vs. 14 Nonetheless though sin was not being imputed before the Law came in, mankind still universally suffered the consequences of it, which is death. Thus the Apostle Paul says here that "...death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come."
And so Adam's sin did not have to be repeated by anyone else to make manifest the consequences of sin. Sin is, and sin brings with it death, sparing no one, nor anything else in creation (Rom 8:19-25). Now that Adam is a type of Him who was to come is referring to Adam again as being the feudal head of the human race, and so in that way Adam is a type of Him who is to come, who is Christ. Therefore just as God placed Adam over all of His creation in the beginning, so now Jesus Christ having become a Man has replaced Adam as the Head of the entire human race (1 Cor 11:3). Thus satisfying a very important required before atonement could be made for everyone, and thus redemption could come to us all who believe in Him.
Vs. 15 The Apostle Paul thus having laid the ground work for our understanding as too why sin is universally charged against everyone, now moves into realm of how God's grace unto salvation comes to us all who believe in Him. And so though there is a parallel to be made between the first man Adam through whom death came, and the last Man Jesus Christ, through whom comes salvation from sin and death for us who believe in Him (1 Cor. 15:45). That that is where the parallel ends. For by far and away the gift of God through Jesus Christ surpasses and excels all that Adam through his offense (παράπτωμα, "false step") did. And that is the point the Apostle Paul is making here in verses fifteen to twenty one.
Vs. 16 Thus it is stated here in verse sixteen; "And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification."
In a striking contrast then to Adams sin, and the judgment against it, which brought condemnation. Here the free gift "which came from many offenses resulted in justification." And so just as one mans sin brought in condemnation, so also by One Man's Righteous Act, Jesus Christ, God through the abundance of His grace gives the free gift of His Righteousness to all who believe. And so just as in Adam all die, yet In Christ, by the abundance of God's grace and the gift of His righteousness comes justification to life to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
Vs. 17 "For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."
And so just as in Adam death reigned over us all, so also in Christ, life (Spirit life, eternal life, His life) reigns over us all who receive the abundance of God's grace and the gift of His righteousness, by our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person.
Vs. 18 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
The Apostle Paul here now sums up all that he has been saying. That just as through ones man's (i.e. Adams) offense judgment came to all men resulting in condemnation. So through one Man's (i.e . Jesus') righteous act the free gift of God came to all men, resulting in justification of life. Therefore the free gift of God's salvation is offered to all people, to freely receive for themselves while they can. Therefore be sure that you have, by repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person.
And so sin and death (and thus condemnation) comes to us all through Adam. While Justification and Life comes to us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; whose Righteous Act in suffering Crucifixion death for us all redeems us all who believe in Him from sin and condemnation. And so in Adam we are all born into sin and death, and thus we are born into a separated state from God, however through the Lord Jesus Christ we all who believe in Him receive justification with God and thus life everlasting.
Vs. 19 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
And so just as through one mans' disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners. Being made sinners both judicially in the sight of God, as well as literally, because we are all born into sin, and thus sin (not God) rules unregenerate hearts and lives in this life. Even so by one Man's (Jesus') obedience many will be made righteous. Now the fact that many will be made righteous means judicially in the sight of God, as well as literally, as the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit transforms within all who believe. And so just as through Adam's disobedience sin as a consequence of his disobedience continues on in mankind, even so through Jesus Christ's obedience to God many will be made righteous, being made righteous both positionally in the sight of God, as people are born again, and thus are regenerated by the Spirit of God, being declared righteous by God by their faith in Jesus Christ's Person (Rom 5:1). Then of course transitionally. As the ongoing sanctification work of the Holy Spirit refines our persons too more and more resemble Jesus Christ in this life. We are then in that sense also being made righteous. The Perfection only coming when this mortality is swallowed up by life, and we are in the eternal Presence of God with Christ fully separated from sin and death (2 Cor 5:4 also consider 1 Cor 15:53-55).
Vs. 20-21 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Therefore the Law entered not as the antidote to sin (consider 1 Cor 15:56; Gal 3:21), rather "the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more" vs. 20
And so just as the Law caused the offense to abound, so the grace of God abounded much more in the face of it, bringing glory to God for His righteousness and mercy which He brought in through His Son Jesus Christ to redeem and restore to God everyone who believes in Him. Thus just as sin reigned in death, even so now the grace of God reigns through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now all of this means that if you have sinned, with sin upon sin, even committing the most heinous of sins, and so you think that because you have so gravely sinned against God that you cannot be forgiven, well think again. For where your sin abounded,God's grace abounds much more towards you! God 's grace coming to you through the crucifixion death of His Only begotten Son the Lord Jesus Christ who paid your sins penalty in full on the cross. Therefore all that you need to do to have it imputed to you is for you to receive it by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And so by a simple prayer in faith inviting the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life you can. A prayer by which you acknowledge your sin to God, as well as ask Him through the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your heart and life, to not only forgive and cleanse of all your sins, but also to change you, to completely transform you by His Spirit within you, which He will do, given you a new heart and life the moment you believe and thus receive Him by faith. Therefore pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus Christ I know that I have sinned against God the Father and I need your forgiveness, I believe You suffered crucifixion death so that You alone could atone for all my sins and transgressions. I also believe that three days later You rose from the dead so that You could give me everlasting life with Yourself in heaven. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, amen.
Scripture Quotation
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
Additional Resources Consulted
Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.
Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001.
Swanson, James. Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.
(Vs. 15) Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
(Vs. 19) Wuest, Kenneth S. Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.
Word Studies
Vs. 15 offense, Str 3900; GK 4183; TDNT 6.170; TDNTA 846; LN LN 88.297 (Matt 6:14; Mark 11:25; Rom 4:25; 5:15-20 (6x); 11:11; 2 Cor 5:9; Gal. 6:1; Eph. 1:7; 2:1, 5; Col. 2:13) 17x
Draft Version
Commentary
Having declared the way of justification, the Apostle now moves back to the beginning explaining to us through whom sin entered the world, and through whom redemption from sin comes.
Vs. 12 Sin entered the world through Adam, the first created human being, from whom all other human beings came, and so Adam is, as the commentaries like to call him, the feudal head of the entire human race. Now when Adam partook of the fruit which Eve his wife offered him, which God forbid them both to eat, they both died (that is they both became estranged from the life of God at that moment) and thus sin entered the world through Adam's disobedience. For that is what sin is, disobedience to the will of God. And so when sin entered the world, not just Adam and Eve became estranged from God, but all of creation became estranged from Him. Since God had set Adam over all of His creation and charged Adam with keeping it, it is thus through Adam that sin entered the world, and thus all of creation became estranged from God with him, because he was the "head" whom God placed over all of creation. And that is the state of this world, and all of creation with it. Estranged from God because of one mans sin, which by default brought with it death and corruption to one and to all. That is what the main point the Apostle Paul is making in verse twelve to fourteen that through one man, Adam, sin entered the world and thus death spread to all men because all sinned. That is in Adam all men (all humanity) sinned in the sight of God, and so there is no one born since Adam who cannot be charged with having not sinned, since death comes to us all. Now that principal of sin and death coming to all through ones disobedience, will also be the principal of God that will bring justification to life through One Man the Lord Jesus Christ, though we are getting ahead of ourselves, and so we will wait to discuss that.
Vs. 13 Though sin was in the world from the beginning, God was not imputing sin, until the law came in. And so through the Law we see the principal of death through sin played out time and again, both in God's judgments against it, and in the required sacrifices for it, which was the shedding of sacrificial blood to atone for it (Heb 9.22).
Vs. 14 Nonetheless though sin was not being imputed before the Law came in, mankind still universally suffered the consequences of it, which is death. Thus the Apostle Paul says here that "...death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come."
And so Adam's sin did not have to be repeated by anyone else to make manifest the consequences of sin. Sin is, and sin brings with it death, sparing no one, nor anything else in creation (Rom 8:19-25). Now that Adam is a type of Him who was to come is referring to Adam again as being the feudal head of the human race, and so in that way Adam is a type of Him who is to come, who is Christ. Therefore just as God placed Adam over all of His creation in the beginning, so now Jesus Christ having become a Man has replaced Adam as the Head of the entire human race (1 Cor 11:3). Thus satisfying a very important required before atonement could be made for everyone, and thus redemption could come to us all who believe in Him.
Vs. 15 The Apostle Paul thus having laid the ground work for our understanding as too why sin is universally charged against everyone, now moves into realm of how God's grace unto salvation comes to us all who believe in Him. And so though there is a parallel to be made between the first man Adam through whom death came, and the last Man Jesus Christ, through whom comes salvation from sin and death for us who believe in Him (1 Cor. 15:45). That that is where the parallel ends. For by far and away the gift of God through Jesus Christ surpasses and excels all that Adam through his offense (παράπτωμα, "false step") did. And that is the point the Apostle Paul is making here in verses fifteen to twenty one.
Vs. 16 Thus it is stated here in verse sixteen; "And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification."
In a striking contrast then to Adams sin, and the judgment against it, which brought condemnation. Here the free gift "which came from many offenses resulted in justification." And so just as one mans sin brought in condemnation, so also by One Man's Righteous Act, Jesus Christ, God through the abundance of His grace gives the free gift of His Righteousness to all who believe. And so just as in Adam all die, yet In Christ, by the abundance of God's grace and the gift of His righteousness comes justification to life to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
Vs. 17 "For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."
And so just as in Adam death reigned over us all, so also in Christ, life (Spirit life, eternal life, His life) reigns over us all who receive the abundance of God's grace and the gift of His righteousness, by our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person.
Vs. 18 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
The Apostle Paul here now sums up all that he has been saying. That just as through ones man's (i.e. Adams) offense judgment came to all men resulting in condemnation. So through one Man's (i.e . Jesus') righteous act the free gift of God came to all men, resulting in justification of life. Therefore the free gift of God's salvation is offered to all people, to freely receive for themselves while they can. Therefore be sure that you have, by repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person.
And so sin and death (and thus condemnation) comes to us all through Adam. While Justification and Life comes to us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; whose Righteous Act in suffering Crucifixion death for us all redeems us all who believe in Him from sin and condemnation. And so in Adam we are all born into sin and death, and thus we are born into a separated state from God, however through the Lord Jesus Christ we all who believe in Him receive justification with God and thus life everlasting.
Vs. 19 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
And so just as through one mans' disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners. Being made sinners both judicially in the sight of God, as well as literally, because we are all born into sin, and thus sin (not God) rules unregenerate hearts and lives in this life. Even so by one Man's (Jesus') obedience many will be made righteous. Now the fact that many will be made righteous means judicially in the sight of God, as well as literally, as the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit transforms within all who believe. And so just as through Adam's disobedience sin as a consequence of his disobedience continues on in mankind, even so through Jesus Christ's obedience to God many will be made righteous, being made righteous both positionally in the sight of God, as people are born again, and thus are regenerated by the Spirit of God, being declared righteous by God by their faith in Jesus Christ's Person (Rom 5:1). Then of course transitionally. As the ongoing sanctification work of the Holy Spirit refines our persons too more and more resemble Jesus Christ in this life. We are then in that sense also being made righteous. The Perfection only coming when this mortality is swallowed up by life, and we are in the eternal Presence of God with Christ fully separated from sin and death (2 Cor 5:4 also consider 1 Cor 15:53-55).
Vs. 20-21 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Therefore the Law entered not as the antidote to sin (consider 1 Cor 15:56; Gal 3:21), rather "the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more" vs. 20
And so just as the Law caused the offense to abound, so the grace of God abounded much more in the face of it, bringing glory to God for His righteousness and mercy which He brought in through His Son Jesus Christ to redeem and restore to God everyone who believes in Him. Thus just as sin reigned in death, even so now the grace of God reigns through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now all of this means that if you have sinned, with sin upon sin, even committing the most heinous of sins, and so you think that because you have so gravely sinned against God that you cannot be forgiven, well think again. For where your sin abounded,God's grace abounds much more towards you! God 's grace coming to you through the crucifixion death of His Only begotten Son the Lord Jesus Christ who paid your sins penalty in full on the cross. Therefore all that you need to do to have it imputed to you is for you to receive it by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And so by a simple prayer in faith inviting the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life you can. A prayer by which you acknowledge your sin to God, as well as ask Him through the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your heart and life, to not only forgive and cleanse of all your sins, but also to change you, to completely transform you by His Spirit within you, which He will do, given you a new heart and life the moment you believe and thus receive Him by faith. Therefore pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus Christ I know that I have sinned against God the Father and I need your forgiveness, I believe You suffered crucifixion death so that You alone could atone for all my sins and transgressions. I also believe that three days later You rose from the dead so that You could give me everlasting life with Yourself in heaven. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, amen.
Scripture Quotation
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
Additional Resources Consulted
Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.
Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001.
Swanson, James. Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.
(Vs. 15) Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
(Vs. 19) Wuest, Kenneth S. Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.
Word Studies
Vs. 15 offense, Str 3900; GK 4183; TDNT 6.170; TDNTA 846; LN LN 88.297 (Matt 6:14; Mark 11:25; Rom 4:25; 5:15-20 (6x); 11:11; 2 Cor 5:9; Gal. 6:1; Eph. 1:7; 2:1, 5; Col. 2:13) 17x
Draft Version
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