Barton's Bible Study Notes

Romans 5:12-21

SUMMARY: The Apostle Paul takes up the third and most complex of the three ideas he deals with in declaring our justification, whether or not justification by faith nullifies the Law. He introduces the ideas by explaining the relationship of sin, grace, and the law. He states that sin and death entered by Adam and spread to all of us. In contrast to this, grace and life came through the life and work of Jesus Christ. The Law was given not to justify but rather to show the sinfulness of sin.
  I.  The Coming of Sin and Death VERSES 5:12-14
A.  The Entrance of Sin: Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, (12a)
B.  The Entrance of Death: and death through sin, (12b)
C.  The Spread of Death:
1.  The Statement: and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— (12c)
2.  The Explanation:
a.  The Principles:
(1)  First: for until the Law sin was in the world, (13a)
(2)  Second: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. (13b)
b.  The Proof: Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. (14)
 
 II.  The Coming of Grace and Life VERSES 5:15-19
A.  The Contrasts:
1.  Sin — Grace:
a.  The Statement: But the free gift is not like the transgression. (15a)
b.  The Explanation
(1)  Adam: For if by the transgression of the one the many died, (15b)
(2)  Christ: much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. (15c)
2.  Condemnation — Justification:
a.  The Statement: The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; (16a)
b.  The Explanation:
(1)  Adam: for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, (16b)
(2)  Christ: but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. (16c)
3.  Death — Life:
a.  Adam: For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, (17a)
b.  Christ: much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. (17b)
B.  The Conclusion:
1.  First:
a.  Adam’s Transgression: So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, (18a)
b.  Christ’s Righteousness: even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. (18b)
2.  Second:
a.  Adam’s Disobedience: For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, (19a)
b.  Christ’s Obedience: even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. (19b)
 
III.  The Purpose of the Law and Grace VERSES 5:20-21
A.  The Purpose of the Law: The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; (20a)
B.  The Purpose of Grace
1.  The Strength of Grace: but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, (20b)
2.  The Result of Grace: so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (21)