Romans 5:15-16 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, has abounded unto many. 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.
‘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.’ Twelve contrasts between Adam and Christ: Adam was head of the old creation (Gen. 1:26); Christ is head of the new creation (2Cor. 5:17-18; Eph. 2:10). Adam sinned (Gen. 2:17; 3:6; Rom. 5:12-21); Christ did not (1Pet. 2:22). Adam by one sin made many sinners (Rom. 5:15); Christ by the act of obedience made many righteous (Rom. 5:19; 2Cor. 5:21; Heb. 10:10-14; 1Pet. 2:24). Adam was made a living soul; Christ was made a quickening Spirit (1Cor. 15:45). Adam was of the earth; Christ was the Lord from heaven (1Cor. 15:47). Adam brought death (Rom. 5:12, 17; 1Cor. 15:21); Christ brings life (Rom. 5:17-18; John 10:10; 1Cor. 15:21-22). Adam passed a sinful nature to his offspring (Rom. 5:12, 19; Eph. 2:3; Ps. 51:5); Christ imparts a sinless nature (Rom. 5:19; 2Cor. 5:17-18; 2Pet. 1:4). Adam brought condemnation (Rom. 5:16-18); Christ justifies (Rom. 3:24; 4:25; 5:18). Adam lost the grace or favour of God (Rom. 5:15; Gen. 2:17; 3:6-24); Christ restored grace to people (Rom. 3:24; 5:15-17; John 1:17). Adam offended God (Rom. 5:15, 17-18; Gen. 3:6, 17-24); Christ pleased God (Rom. 5:18; Mat. 3:17; 7:5; 2Pet. 1:17). Death reigned through Adam (Rom. 5:12, 14, 17); life reigns through Christ (Rom. 5:17-18, 21; John 3:16; 10:10). Adam caused sin to abound (Rom. 5:20); Christ causes grace to abound (Rom. 5:20).
‘Free gift’ eternal life is a free gift (Eph. 2:8-9; John 10:28). People merit hell, but not eternal life. Jesus Christ alone procured it and gives it freely to all who believe (John 3:16; 6:27; Rom. 3:24).
‘Much more the grace of God’ the parallel does not hold true in every detail, for the free gift exceeds the consequences of sin (Rom. 5:15, 17, 20).
Living the Word 