Author: iolaHC

I am an Artwork in progress

Dead to the Law

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Romans 7:1-5 Know you not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? For the woman which has an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband lives, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that you should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 

‘Know you not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?’ In Romans 6:1-23 the obligations of all people to live a holy life was set forth. In Romans 7:1-25 it shows that the Jew is freed from all obligation to law keeping and shows why the law is helpless to deliver any man from sin and hell.

‘Be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband’ death breaks all marriage bonds.

‘Wherefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that you should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead’ Here it is stated that Jews are dead to the law because Christ has fulfilled its types and prophecies and abolished it, so they can be married to Him and produce fruit.

‘Body of Christ’ – the body of Christ in sacrifice, not the congregations (Eph. 1:23; Col. 1:18, 24).

‘That we should bring forth fruit unto God’ referring to the fruit of John 15:16.

‘For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death’ – when we were in the flesh and carnal program of the law (Heb. 9:10), the passions of sin worked in our members by the law and produced sins that the law had to condemn to death. This is explained fully in Romans 7:7-25.

‘In the flesh’ – meaning living in sin (8:8-9).

‘By the law’ the motions of sins acted contrary to the law and were made exceedingly sinful by the law and that condemned them (7:13). The law was the means of disclosing how sinful we were.

The Wages of Sin

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Romans 6:20-23 For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from righteousness. What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

‘For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from righteousness’ it is emphasized here the fact that a man cannot be a saint and a sinner; holy and sinful; and cannot serve God and satan, or be a servant of sin and righteousness at the same time (Matt. 6:24).

‘Fruit’ used here to refer to good and evil results (6:21-22; 7:4-5; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:9; Php. 1:11, 22; 4:17; Heb. 12:11).

‘Things whereof you are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death’ – Sin has two main results: Present shame and emptiness (6:21); and future, eternal death and hell, the end of a life of sowing to the flesh (6:21-23; 8:13; Gal. 6:7-8; Rev. 20:6, 10-15).

‘Now being made free from sin’ – now, in the present life people are free from sin in Christ (2Cor. 5:17-18).

‘Become servants to God’ a change in masters means a change in service (Matt. 6:24).

‘You have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life’ – Righteousness has two main results: Present holiness of life (6:22); and future and eternal life, the end of a life of sowing to the Spirit (6:22-23; 8:13; Gal. 6:7-8).

‘Wages’ [Greek: opsonion] meaning recompense or wages. Divine justice is under obligation to give sinners their wages or be in debt to them forever (Luke 12:5; Rev. 20:11-15).

The present state of all men outside of Christ is that of being depraved, polluted and corrupt in all his nature. His understanding is darkened (Eph. 2:3; 4:18); his conscience defiled (Heb. 10:22); his will obstinate and rebellious (Rom. 8:7); his affections carnal and sensual (Eph. 2:1-3; Gal. 5:19-21; Mark 7:19-21; Rom. 1:18-32; 1Cor. 6:9-11); his thoughts evil continually (Gen. 6:5; 2Cor. 10:4-5); his heart full of abominations (Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:19-21; Rom. 1:18-32); and his life and conduct devoted to living in divers lusts and pleasures of all kinds (1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18-32). He is a “servant of sin” (John 8:34); “unrighteous” (1Cor. 6:9-11; Ps. 51:5; Eph. 2:1-3); “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1-9); “alienated from God” by wicked works (Col. 1:20-22); “separated” from God by his sins (Isa. 59:2); “without hope, and without God” in the world (Eph. 2:11-13;4:13-32; Rom. 3:9-25); blind to the truth (2Cor. 4:4; Eph. 4:18); lustful (Eph. 2:3); and doomed to eternal death and Hell (Rom. 6:23; Matt. 25:41, 46; Rev. 14:9-11; 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8; Jude 1:7; Isa. 66:22-24).

‘Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ’ eternal life is a free gift (5:15-18; 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).

Servants to Righteousness

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Romans 6:15-19 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know you not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as you have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 

‘Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey’ millions today have not learned these simple facts: that you cannot be a servant of sin and satan and a servant of righteousness and Christ at the same time; that if you commit sin you are a servant of sin and satan (John 8:34; 1Jn. 3:8) and not a Christian; that if you sin, satan is your master and not Christ and that sin is the service of satan and righteousness is the service of God.

‘But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart’ the question here is what is God to be thanked for? That you are not saved from sin or that you are?

‘Form of doctrine which was delivered you’ this refers to the gospel truths Paul is here making clear by his arguments. Here Christianity is pictured as a mould or die, into which people are cast, and from which they are stamped with the image of God and of Christ, and are made the holiness of God by the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 6:11; 2Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:24). They are cast into the mould of doctrine and the Word of God is stamped on the heart (2Cor. 3:1-3).

‘Free’ [Greek: eleutheroo] set free. ‘Servants’ [Greek: douloo] to make a slave or servant.

‘Manner of men’ [Greek: anthropinos] Greek writers often used it to signify what was easy to understand. It means the opposite of the loftiness of poets and the sublime obscurity of philosophers.

‘Infirmity of your flesh: for as you have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness’ – because of the weakness of your flesh. As you have yielded your physical members to sin and uncleanness, you must now do likewise to righteousness and holiness (6:19-20). ‘Holiness’ [Greek: hagiasmos] Christians are commanded to be perfect in holiness in body and spirit (6:19, 22; Luke 1:75; 2 Cor. 7:1; Ephes. 4:24; 1Thes. 3:13; 4:7; Heb. 12:10-14). Such is possible in Christ (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:17-18). Ten facts are given on Christians and holiness: Christians are created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephes. 4:24); they are commanded to live in holiness before God all their days (6:19; Luke 1:75; Heb. 12:14); they must bring forth fruit unto holiness (Rom. 6:22); they must perfect holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 7:1); must have hearts unblameable in holiness before God (1Thess. 3:13); they are called to holiness (1Thess. 4:7); they must continue in holiness to be blessed (1Tim. 2:15); they must govern lives according to holiness (Tit. 2:3); they must be partakers of holiness (Heb. 12:10); they must follow holiness, without which no man shall see God (Heb. 12:14).

Yield Yourselves unto God

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Romans 6:12-14 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. 

‘Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body’ – here sin is pictured as a king or a tyrant, who has the soul passions, spirit faculties, and physical members of man under control, dominating his life. Let him not work or reign in the mortal body; give him no place or grounds for working in your being. Sin does not rule or ruin; sin rules and ruins. Wherever sin is, it will have more or less dominion.

‘Obey it in the lusts thereof’ – obey sin in its lusts. This further proves sin to be a real spiritual person ruling life. Sin itself has lusts other than the lusts of man. The lusts of sin are in reality the lusts of satan (John 8:44; Eph. 2:2-3; 1Jn. 2:17; 3:8). The lusts of man are his own creative powers depraved and corrupt (Jas. 1:14; 4:1, 3; 2Tim. 4:3; 1Pet. 4:2). They make up the basic Adamic nature. The same faculties that yield to sin can likewise yield to God and commit holy acts (6:13, 16, 18-20, 22; 8:1-13; Col. 3:5-10).

‘Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin’ it is not sin to be tempted; the sin is in yielding (Jas. 1:13-15). While sin exists as satanic solicitation, it is satan’s lust and sin, not ours. When we yield, we make the Devil’s sin our own. The one tempted should obey James 4:7; 1Peter 5:8-9; Ephesians 4:27. When man refuses, regardless of how strong the temptation is, no sin is possible (1Jn. 3:4; Jas. 1:13-15).

‘But yield yourselves unto God’ yield your will to God. Satan cannot force your will, and God will not, so the safe and normal thing is to will to do God’s will. ‘Instruments’ [Greek: hoplon] meaning weapons.

‘Sin shall not have dominion over you’ God delivers from sin at the new birth (2Cor. 5:17-18; 1Jn. 3:9; 5:1-4, 18), so if you become subject to it again, it is because of your choice (6:13).

‘For you are not under the law, but under grace’ you are not under the law that demands obedience, without giving power to obey. You are under grace that demands the same strict obedience to God, but gives free pardon for sins committed, not free to continue therein; and power to obey God in all things.

Alive unto God

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Romans 6:8-14 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead died no more; death has no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he lives, he lives unto God. Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

‘Dead with Christ’ we are supposed to reckon ourselves dead with Christ, (6:8, 11) then only can we be alive in Him. Man must reckon or count himself to be dead to sin and alive to God; that is, he has nothing more to do with sin and everything to do with God. He is to reckon sin as a thing of the past and as non-existent as far as he is concerned. He is to reckon that God is all-and-all and the only thing that matters in his life. Just as parents can and sometimes do cast a child out of their home and cut him off from any further relationship or inheritance, and thus, as far as they are concerned the child is dead, so the believer must completely give up sin and count that he is dead to it. This can be done by reckoning it done by faith in Christ and by giving one’s self wholly over to God and a life of holiness in Christ.

The old man and the whole operation of the devil in life must be ignored and rejected once and for all. The old life, called our old man, which is nothing more or less than the devil working in us, must be done away with and renounced forever. We must reckon that we are new creatures in Christ and the old life dead and that we no longer live as we used to live in sins and lusts that damn the soul. The old life is past and the new life is here. The devil has no more part in us, so we reckon him dead (1 Jn. 5:18). The old sins are gone and are counted dead. We are alive to God and we recognize Him as our master.

‘Being raised from the dead died no more; death has no more dominion over him’ – what was it about Christ that died? Only His body (Jas. 2:26). Then this is what was resurrected to die no more. Death will have no more dominion over His body. This proves that Christ was resurrected physically, not as a spirit.

‘Dominion’ [Greek: kurieuo] “lord it over.” Used in Romans 6:14; 7:1; 14:9; Luke 22:25; 2Corinthians 1:24 and 1Timothy 6:15. Sin does not “lord it over” the believer in Christ. The believer “lords it over” sin (8:13; 2Cor. 10:4-7; Col. 3:5-10).

‘For in that he died, he died unto sin once’ literally, the death He died was on account of sin; for an expiration of sin; a sacrifice for sin (1Pet. 2:24; Heb. 10:10-14). ‘Once’ [Greek: ephapax] once for all.

‘Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord’ – as Christ died for sin once for all and dies no more, so we should die to sin once and live unto God forever (6:9-10). ‘Reckon’ [Greek: logizomai] to count, reckon, impute (2:26; 4:3-24; 6:11; 8:18).

Baptized into His Death

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Romans 6:3-7 Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

‘Baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death’ baptism into Christ, not water (6:3-5; 1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28-29; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:11-13). Baptism “into Christ” is essential to salvation – into Christ or into His body at repentance and the new birth. It is called “one baptism” (Ephes. 4:5), because it is the only baptism that saves the soul and brings into the body of Christ. The other two baptisms that is important and necessary for all Christians are: Baptism into water that is essential to obedience and to a “good conscience” after one is saved and in Christ (Matt. 28:19; 1 Pet. 3:21; 1 John 5:6-10); and baptism into the Holy Spirit that is essential to receiving power for service (Luke 24:49; John 14:12-17; Acts 1:4-8).

‘Buried with him by baptism’ – baptism is by burial, regardless of what kind of baptism it is.

‘That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life’ as Christ died completely, so those who profess Christianity must be completely separated and saved from sin having no more connection with it than a dead body has with the departed spirit (6:3-5; Jas. 2:26).

‘Glory of the Father’ glorious power. Just as it took the mighty power of God to raise Christ, it will take this to bring alive the dead soul of sinners and make them new creatures in a moment (2Cor. 5:17-18; Eph. 4:22-24).

‘Planted together in’ [Greek: sumphutos] planted together with; plainly proving a burial of His literal body and burial in baptism. No planting or burial is possible by a sprinkling or pouring (cp. John 12:24; 1Cor. 15:36).

‘Old man’ this is none other than satan himself, “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2; 4:22-24; Col. 3:9; John 8:44; 1Jn. 3:8; 5:18). To call this the old Adamic nature is erroneous, for nothing happened to Adam other than his submission to satan and a moral fall. Adam had the same body, soul, and spirit after the fall as before. The only difference was a change of masters. There is no such thing as an old nature other than man’s own body, soul, and spirit dominated by satanic powers, as in the above passages.

‘Crucified with him’ Being “dead to sin” (6:2), “crucified with him” (6:6), “dead with Christ” (6:8), “dead to the law” (7:4), and like expressions are common among Hebrews, Greeks, Latins, and other people. To die to a thing or person is to have nothing to do with and to be totally separated from it or him. To live to a person or a thing is to be wholly given up to and to have an intimate connection with that person or thing. Having the old man crucified means that one has no further dealings with him. In fact, 1John 5:18 says the wicked one does not touch the one who is born again. ‘Destroyed’ [Greek: katargeo] annulled. ‘Dead is freed from sin’ being dead to sin does not mean that the person or sin is dead. Both are still in existence the same as ever, but to each other, they are as being non-existent.

Dead to Sin

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Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 

‘What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? … How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?’ – having proved the sinfulness of both Jews and Gentiles and that both must be redeemed alike by Christ through faith and grace, Paul now takes up the argument of the divine method of dealing with sin and the secret of a victorious holy life (Romans 6:1-8:39). The questions come up that if salvation is free and apart from works – if the more heinous the sins the more abundant the grace to pardon then may we not go on in sin so that the grace of God may become magnified? God forbid.

Seven plain gospel facts are stated in 1John: Christ was manifested to take away our sins (1Jn. 3:5; Tit. 2:12). One cannot be in Christ and continue to sin (1Jn. 3:5-6; 2Cor. 5:17). Man can be as righteous as Christ in this life (1Jn. 3:7; 4:17; Tit. 2:12). Every man who sins is of the devil (1Jn. 3:8; John 8:44). Christ came to destroy the works of the devil (1Jn. 3:8; Matt. 8:17; Acts 10:38; John 10:10). One cannot sin as long as the Word of God remains in him (Rom. 6:14-23; 8:1-13; 1Jn. 3:9). All people are not children of God (1Jn. 3:10).

Literally thousands of religious teachers are constantly saying that no man can live free from sin, that we sin every day, and that there is no man that does not sin every day he lives. One can see that this teaching is entirely out of harmony with the Bible by reading Scripture. If these men sin every day, then they are sinners every day and there is no time that they are not sinners. If they are sinners all the time, then there is no time they are not under the death penalty of the broken law, and they will be sent to Hell as sinners to pay the death penalty. They are not Christians or saved from sin any one day they live if they sin every day they live. Christ means nothing to them if they are sinners and if they cannot be saved from sin. People who think they cannot live free from sin are really mistaken as to what sin is. If they class lack of knowledge, temptations, and common mistakes in life that do not break the law of God as sin, then they are right that no man lives free from sin. But if they think one cannot live free from the sins of Galatians 5:19-21 as well as Romans 1:21-32; 6:19; 2Corinthians 12:21; Ephesians 4:19; 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1Thessalonians 2:3; 4:7 and 2Peter 2:1-22 that will damn the soul, then they are all wrong, for such must be true of anyone who will be saved. Men who argue that no person can live without sin are simply using every excuse under the sun to continue in sin.  They want to make people believe that they are Christians and yet they want to indulge in some sin or bad habit that will condemn them in the end. Men can live free from sin if they get saved from sin and permit Christ to live in their lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. If men live in sin daily then there is not a day in which they are not tindering the condemnation of a broken law and they will be sent to Hell to pay the death penalty for sin.

‘God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?’ many reasons are given in Romans that we should not continue living in sin: Death to sin nullifies it (6:2-3); resurrection from spiritual death (6:4-5); we walk in newness of life (6:4); death to sin and resurrection from sin means walking like Christ (6:5; 1Pet. 2:21-22; 1Jn. 2:6; 4:6, 17); the old man is crucified and dead (6:6; Eph. 4:22-24; 1Jn. 5:18); the body of sin is destroyed, that henceforth we should not sin (6:6); we are freed from sin (6:7, 18, 22); faith counts sin dead (6:8); sin has no dominion over us (6:9); sin not to reign in the body (6:12); the body must not yield to sin (6:13); married to Christ, not sin (7:4); we walk in the Spirit (8:1-4); we are made free from the law of sin (8:2); we are spiritually minded (8:6); Christ is in us, not sin (8:10); we are not debtors to sin (8:12); the Spirit mortifies sin in us (8:13); we have Spirit of freedom (8:15); intercession of Christ and the Holy Spirit keeps us (8:26-27, 34).

Justification of Life

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Romans 5:17-21 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. 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. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. 

‘They which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ’ The ones who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life by Jesus Christ.

‘The 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).

‘By one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous’ through Adam’s sin, a sentence of death – without a promise of resurrection – passed upon all men; so, by the obedience of Christ taking man’s place, the sentence was completely cancelled and original dominion restored. One is constituted a sinner through Adam, not by his personal sins; so one is constituted righteous through Christ, not by his personal acts of righteousness.

‘Obedience’ the obedience unto death (Php. 2:8). This was the righteous act of Romans 5:18.

‘Entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound’ the law with its many statutes entered to condemn the many kinds of offenses and make man know in detail what sin was. It was added until the seed should come (Gal. 3:19-25). Those who accept Christ receive free pardon of all offenses and grace abounds and reigns in life (Rom. 5:20-21; 1Jn. 1:9; Rev. 1:5). If one sin was too great and heinous for grace to pardon, then grace would cease to reign in righteousness and sin would be more powerful than Jesus Christ and His power.

The Free Gift

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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).

Death by Sin

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Romans 5:12-14 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 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. 

‘Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.’ In Romans 5:12-21, Paul shows that the consequences of Christ’s obedience extend as far as Adam’s disobedience. Gentiles are descendants of Adam and partake of his sin and its consequences, so they are free to partake of the redemption of Christ. This again puts the Gentiles on an equal basis with Jews in Adam, Abraham, and Christ. Sin is of universal effect. From Adam, all people derive their beings (Acts 17:26). The whole race was in his loins when he sinned. He was its spiritual, moral, and physical fountainhead and its sole representative. He did not act as a single person but as the whole race. When he fell he sinned for all. When God contracted with him, it was a contract for the whole race. His progeny became a part of the covenant and blessings if he obeyed and of the curses, if he sinned.

Ten facts about sin: Sin came to the world by one man. It was not in the world at creation. Sin came from outside the world and caused death to enter the race. Sin is universal in effects (Rom. 5:12). It was here 2,500 years before Moses. It is not imputed without law and did not come by Moses’ law. Penalty came before Moses’ law. Both sin and death came by Adam’s transgression of Genesis 2:17.

‘Similitude of Adam’s transgression’ death did not come by personal sin, as it did in the case of Adam. Death passed upon all people because of Adam’s sin (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 5:12-21).

‘Figure’ [Greek: tupos] an outline, sketch; to describe in outline. The idea is that of making a contrasting outline of Christ.