“Death through Adam, Life through Christ” (Romans 5:12–21), Part 1

“Death through Adam, Life through Christ” (Romans 5:12–21), Part 1

Pastor Cameron Jungels

Eastside Baptist Church

Sunday AM, September 17, 2017

 

Romans 5:12–21 (NIV)

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, 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 is a pattern of the one to come.

15 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! 16 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. 17 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!

18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 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.

20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1. Adam, the first human being, sinned and brought sin into the world (12).
2. Sin brings the consequence of death into the world (12).
3. Every person is under the curse of death and is guilty of sin, because Adam was the representative of the whole human race (12–14).
   1. Every human being sinned in Adam, because he was our representative.
      1. Before the Mosaic Law was given, sin was in the world.
      2. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.
      3. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses – even over those who did not sin by breaking a specific, explicit command as Adam did.
         1. Therefore, we are sinners in Adam.
         2. Therefore, we are guilty in Adam.
         3. Therefore, we all incur the consequence of death in Adam.
         4. Adam was the representative head of the whole human race in sin and death.
      4. The trespass of one man brought death or condemnation to all men (5 times in 15–19).
      5. The analogy between Adam and Christ is broken if Adam is not our representative. If Adam cannot represent us as our covenant head in death, then neither can Christ in life.