Jesus...the anti-Adam

    Continuing in my study of the book of Romans...I'm picking it up at Romans 5:12-21. The more I read and re-read this great book of the Bible, the more I understand the comprehensiveness and richness of its text. I mentioned in an earlier post that Romans, in the simplest and most general terms is "the gospel."

   In these verses, Paul contrasts the work of the first man - Adam, with that of Jesus Christ. Why?  Adam represents the human race to God. The Bible Knowledge Commentary reads, "The entire human race is seminally (originated from and influenced by) and physically in Adam, the first man. As a result, God considered all people as participating in the act of sin which Adam committed and as receiving the penalty he received. Though sin entered the human experience through the act of Adam's sin, sin expressed itself repeatedly in people's actions from the point of its entrance until the Law was given."

   Now, even though there was no Law (til Moses), sin is evidenced by the existence of death. Since death was present, that proved all had sinned in Adam. A parallelism exists between Adam and Jesus Christ as heads of groups of human beings.

   Here are the contrasts between Adam and Christ:

1. v.15: Adam's sin led to or results in death to many; Christ's gift of grace led to or resulted in righteousness to many
2. v.16: Adam led to or results in judgment and condemnation; Christ led to or results in many (all) sins justified
3. v.17: Adam led to or results in the reign of death;  Christ led to or results in believers reign in life
4. v.18: Adam's sin led to or results in condemnation for all; Christ's act of righteousness led to or results in justification offered to all
5. v.19: Adam's disobedience led to or results in many constituted sinners; Christ's obedience led to or results in many constituted righteous
6. v.21: because of Adam sin reigned in death; because of Christ grace reigns to bring eternal life

   The purpose of the (Mosaic) Law was "so that all people could see how sinful they were" (Romans 5:20 - NLT).  But, through the righteousness of Jesus Christ provided for people, God's grace overflows beyond it and abundantly exceeds it.  WOW!  Reminds me of a song..."Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see!  My chains are gone, I've been set free.  My God my Savior has rescued me.  And like a flood, His mercy reigns.  Unending love; amazing grace!"

   Next time...Romans 6.