First Adam, Last Adam (2)

First Adam, Last Adam

Part 2

The Contrast in the Consequences of the Actions of the First Adam and the Second Adam

Adam brought death, Jesus brings life

Romans 5:15 NIV

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!

The gift refers to the work of Christ - His sacrificial death, which puts believers in right relationship with God.

The trespass refers to Adam’s disobedience, which resulted in death (Gen. 3:7)

,

Romans 5:17 NIV

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

trespass is the sin

one man this of course is Adam

1 Corinthians 15:21–23 NIV

For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

death came through a man refers to Adam as the representative of sinful humanity

1 Corinthians

the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man refers to Jesus Christ as the representative of those who will overcome death and receive eternal life

Adam brought judgment, Jesus brings justification

Romans 5:16 NIV

Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.

There is no comparison with what came from Adam to what came from Christ

Adam brought one sin that affected all

Jesus brought one gift the covers all sin

Justification is defined as the event whereby persons are set or declared to be in right relation to God.

Romans

Romans 5:18–19 NIV

Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Romans 5:

all people All human beings bear the effect of Adam’s sin. All are condemned to die and fall short of God’s righteousness

one righteous act refers to Jesus’ death on the cross

the many will be made righteous Although Christ’s obedience has implications for the justification of all people, it does not result in justification apart from their acceptance of the free gift.