Hope in Christ’s Triumph over Adam’s Sin (5:12-21)

A. ADAM AND THE CONSEQUENCE OF HIS ACTIONS (5:12-14)

1. Through Adam, sin entered the world, and death as a consequence(12a)

False views:

Pelagian Theory (Pelagius: 400 AD; Augustine’s counterpart: debated at the beginning of 5th century) - Each soul is created by God at conception and therefore is perfect. Adam’s sin only affected Adam himself. Man therefore is not born depraved but becomes so only when he sins.

Arminian (semi-Pelagian) Theory (Jacobus Arminius: 16th century; Calvin’s counterpart) – Man does not stand condemned in Adam but receives a disability from Adam’s fall which God must overcome to ensure eternal life. All men are capable of cooperating with God to overcome this inability.

True views:

Federal Headship Theory – Adam was the appointed representative of the whole race. When Adam fell, his sin was imputed to the whole race.

Natural or Seminal Headship – when Adam sinned he became a sinner and therefore those descending from him are also tainted by his sin nature; “Like produces like”.

2. Thus death spread, for all sinned(12b)

As a deadly pestilence

3. From the time of Adam to Moses, death reigned, even over those who had not sinned like Adam did (13-14)

Sin had free reign, bringing forth death

Though the law did not exist, the consequence of breaking it did

B. ADAM AND CHRIST COMPARED (15-19)

1. Adam's offense brought many deaths, Christ's grace abounds even more (15)

2. One offense produced the judgment of condemnation, but many offenses produced the free gift of justification (16)

3. By Adam's offense death reigns, but those who receive the gift of righteousness will reign in life through Christ (17)

4. Summary (18-19)

a) Through Adam's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation (18a)

b) Through Christ's act grace came to all, resulting in justification of life (18b)

c) By Adam's disobedience many were made sinners (19a)

d) By Christ's obedience many will be made righteous (19b)

C. THE RELATIONSHIP OF LAW, SIN AND GRACE (20-21)

1. Law entered that sin might abound, but grace abounds much more (20)

The Law excites opposition

A command given to a child that is disposed to indulge his passions, only tends to excite anger and opposition. If the heart was holy, and there was a disposition to do right, law would have no such tendency. - Barnes

Grace Superabounded - the pardoning mercy of the gospel greatly triumphed over sin

2. Just as sin reigned in death, so grace reigns through righteousness to eternal life through Christ (21)

The result of God’s plan of justification shall be to produce eternal life.