Originally Posted by
BigJulie
Here is the whole paragraph:
Rom 5:12 ¶ Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death p***ed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (In this verse, Paul is speaking to the fact that because of Adam, all "have sinned"--in this phrase, Paul is using the term sin to mean all have fallen from God or all men are in a fallen state.)
Rom 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. (This speaks to the fact that sin is defined by the law. When there is no law, there is no breaking the law or sin. So, until Adam transgressed or broke the law, there was no sin in the world.)
Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. (This speaks of the fact that even though men had not sinned, they still paid the penalty of the sin of Adam which is death. Do you see also how Paul explains what he means by "all have sinned" even though then in a few more verses he states "even over them that have not sinned"---he is not condracting his previous statement but explaining what this "sin" is---basically, having fallen as did Adam.
Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also [is] the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
(In this verse, Paul explains that the offense (the fall of Adam comes upon men through nothing they do, likewise, so is the gift of the atonement to overcome death. Now, keep in mind that he uses the term "many" but he could easily use the term "all" as "all" men die--except for a few such as Elijah or Enoch. So, whom ever has died, Christ gives this gift of grace to overcome death.) Paul also lets the reader understand that Christ gives us more grace that just the grace He gave to Adam as most of us sin on our own and therefore need more grace than just the grace given for the death or fall of Adam.
Rom 5:16 And not as [it was] by one that sinned, [so is] the gift: for the judgment [was] by one to condemnation, but the free gift [is] of many offences unto justification. (And this is a direct comparison....we die, not because of something we did (but Adam did). Likewise, we live and not because of something we did (but Christ did).) Paul also brilliantly explains the atonement further here---to those who understand that they, having been justified for the sin of Adam, still sin on their own and so are now condemned again. So, Christ's atonement doesn't just atone for one sin, but for many.
Rom 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) (Paul continues the thought here---explaining that Christ atonement did not just cover the sin of Adam, but all the offenses committed by men if they come unto Christ.)
Rom 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life. (Now Paul is going back to the start---repeating himself so that his teachings are clear. He is explaining once again that the atonement covered the sins of Adam and now all men will be resurrected.)
Rom 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (And now he is explaining once again the second part of the atonement, that is that Christ covered the sins each man has committed for the righteous.)
Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (This now goes back to the very start, that until Adam died, the law and sin was not in the world---but now that the law is in the world and men can and do sin---so so much more can the grace of God apply.)
Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Paul sums it up explaining that the sin of Adam caused death and thereby sin came into the world---or that sin "reigned unto death"---but now grace reigns---first to overcome death and second to bring about eternal life.--both explained by Paul above.
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