12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— 13for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
15But 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! 16Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17For 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.
18Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19For 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.
20The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (NIV)
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1.It is not ultimately the Law that brought sin, and its penalty of death, into the world, but the disobedience of our representative, Adam. (vv. 12-14)
Discussion Question 1A: Some Christians, such as the celebrated 20th century author C.S. Lewis, deny that there was ever a real Adam or Eve who lived in history. He claims that they were simply characters created to illustrate the fall of man. What problem is there with this view?
Discussion Question 1B: Many more, both Christian and non-Christian alike, are repelled by the idea that someone could “decide” something for us, in our place (i.e. the way that Adam determined our status of condemnation by his own sin). How would you respond to this objection?
2. Jesus, as our “new” human represenative, not only “undoes” the terrible state before God that Adam brought upon our race, but does so much more. (vv. 3-5)
Discussion Question 2A: By reviewing verses 12 to 21, list of all of things that humanity received through Adam, and then all of things that believers receive through Christ.
Discussion Question 2B: How can these things help us to “rejoice in our sufferings”, as Paul puts it (Ch. 5:3-4)?
Discussion Question 2C: Many people believe, by reading verse 18, that the Bible teaches “universalism” (i.e. the belief that every human who has ever lived will be saved from God’s wrath in the end). How would they get this from verse 18, and what would your response be?
Recommended Reading:
Linden, David H. Two Men Deciding Our Lives For Us. Received from:
http://grebeweb.com/linden/two_men.html
Next week:
Romans 6:1-14 – this begins an important section on the Christian’s life of obedience
