Sermon Tone Analysis

It is fairly universally agreed that this section of scripture is one of the greatest theological sections in the entire Bible.

Romans 5:12–21 (KJV)

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:

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 them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

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.

16 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.

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.)

18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound.

But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

We saw in the last two Studies that verses 1-11 spoke of the Blessings of our Justification, now looking at verses 12-21 we see the Basis of our Justification.

Verses 12-21 summarize the theology of the first 4 chapters about sin, condemnation and the lost state of man; It summarizes justification - how God saves or rescues man.

How does Paul summarize these two opposites?

Condemnation and Justification?

He shows us that all of humanity is either in Adam, under condemnation, or in Christ, justified.

Paul points out that our justification in Christ goes just as deep and is really greater than our condemnation in Adam.

We saw in verses 1-11 the blessings of justification:

Peace with God v. 1

Access to God v. 2

Rejoicing in Hope v. 2

Rejoicing in Tribulation vs. 3-4

The Love of God v. 5-8

And Rejoicing in God

We may ask, Can we be sure that justification will last?

the answer is yes, because it is based on my union with Christ.

The Scottish pastor and theologian James S. Stewart called union with Christ “the heart of Paul’s religion,” adding that “this, more than any other concept --- more than justification, more than sanctification, more even than reconciliation --- is the key which unlocks the secrets of his soul.”

John Murray went even further, saying, “Union with Christ is the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation.”

However the Biblical teaching of the believers union with Christ, and the believers position in Christ is widely neglected.

It is hard to comprehend by some, but it is very clearly taught in scripture.

The Bible teaches us that at the moment you were justified, you were also united to Christ.

Just think of the picture that God gave us in his Word of the relationship between Christ and the church (the believers)

In this passage before us, Paul says that the entire human race is either in Adam or in Christ.

These verses are divided into three short paragraphs; in each, Adam and Christ are related to each other, even though both are not specifically mentioned in each section.

The first is found in verses 12-14 where we see:

I. Adam and Christ Introduced

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:

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 them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

Here we see man’s fall, we see sin enter into God’s perfectly created world.

In this we see:

A. Sin Entered Humanity

This happened through one man - Adam

I always find it interesting that sin came by one man, rather than one woman.

Eve was the first to eat.

Some have said that Eve was tricked, but Adam chose.

maybe, but I think there is the Biblical principle of Leadership is Responsible for His Followers.

God created Man to be the head of the home, and when they see and still allow a family member under their watch and authority to do wrong they will give an account.

Of course you can’t force anyone to do right, but if you do nothing you are guilty.

But through this one act sin not only entered the world, but it entered into every human born of man.

Secondly we see that...

B. Death Entered the World

Death entered the world by sin.

death was not created by God.

Death started spiritually, and ended physically.

Death is the penalty for sin.

It is man’s greatest enemy.

One that by himself he cannot fight!

So Sin entered Humanity, and Death Entered by Sin, then we see that...

C. Death Came Upon All Men

because all have sinned.

Some have asked, “Why should we be punished for Adam’s sin?”

What about the child who hasn’t sinned yet.

The Bible says here that all have sinned.

I know the world wants us to believe we are born innocent and perfect, and then we ruin it.

But the truth is we are born into sin!

Abraham paid tithes to Melchisedec, and although there have been theories about this king, and I certainly do not pretend to understand this man, but we are told that he is the king of righteousness, and the king of peace.

Some believe that Mechisedec is a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearing of Christ.

If nothing else, he certainly is a type of Christ.

I don’t understand it, but notice he was without father or mother.

This could explain how he is considered king of righteousness.

Christ was born of a human mother, without a human father, some theorize that this is how Christ was born sinless.

Nevertheless, Adam passed sin from generation to generation.

Christ was without sin.

Notice verses 13-14

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 them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

from Adam to Moses there was no law, and this verse tells us that sin is not taken into account (Imputed) until there was a Law, however death still reigned.

However Adam only had one Law - do not eat of the tree.

He disobeyed, so sin was accounted to his account, and sin entered into the world.

And then a statement is made at the end of verse 14, speaking of Adam, “who is the figure of him that was to come.”

This is speaking of Jesus.

The First Adam - brought sin into the World

The Second Adam - redeemed the World from sin.

So in the first paragraph we see Adam and Christ Introduced, Now in verses 15-17 we see...

II.

Adam and Christ Contrasted

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.

16 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.

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.)

Notice the contrast:

Adam’s sin - Christ’s free gift.

Many are dead by one offence

Many raised to life by one gift

We gain “much more” in Christ than we ever lost in Adam.

The sin of Adam brought death, but grace brought a far more powerful force - Life.