The work of Christ is the basis of justification: (5:12-21):
Paul begins the verse with “therefore” giving the reasons and basis how the justification could occur for the humanity. It is true that sin entered world through Adam, caused both physical death and spiritual death and this continued to their descendants. This has caused death because “the wages of sin is death” (6:23a). Death penetrated into the entire human race like a vapour permeating all the rooms in the house.
The entire paragraph has repetitive words viz. “one” – 11 times, “reign” is used 5-times and “much more” is used again 5-times.
We can make a distinctive contrasts between the first Adam and the last Adam who is none other than Jesus Christ.
| First Adam | Last Adam – Jesus Christ | |
| 1 | Made from earth | Came from Heaven (1 Cor.15:47) |
| 2 | King of old creation | King and priest over the new creation (2 Cor.5:17) |
| 3 | Was tested in a perfect garden and disobeyed God | Was tested in a terrible wilderness and obeyed God, in the Garden of Gethsemane, yet surrendered His will to God. |
| 4 | His disobedience brought sin, condemnation and death upon all the human race. | Obedience of Christ brought righteousness, salvation and life to all who believe. |
| 5 | Brought death and sin reign in this world | Brought grace and we can reign in life. |
| 6 | OT is the book of the generation of Adam and ends with the word “curse” in Malachi. | NT is the book of the generation of Jesus Christ (Matt.1:1) and ends with “no more curse” (Rev.22:3) |
| 7 | Because we are born in Adam, we inherit sin, death and condemnation. | Through Christ, we inherit eternal life and complete salvation. |
Adam’s sin has brought the death: (5:15-16):
Death has happened as a result of disobedience of Law. We know that the wages of sin is death (6:23). There was no law existing from the time Adam to the time of Moses but men still died in their sins. In other words, the sin of Adam had caused death and his descendants also sinned because the seed of sin had passed onto generations. So all his descendants also died even though there was no written law, but there was general law of discretion and consciousness. We all are partakers of and sinned in Adam’s sin and so we deserve to die. We are racially united to Adam and in Adam all men die. But the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ not only gives physical life, but also spiritual life and abundant life. He conquered death and one day will raise the bodies of all who have died “in Christ.” He gives eternal life abundantly to all who trust Him (Jn. 10:10). When Adam sinned, he was declared unrighteous and condemned and the same sinner if trust in Christ, he will be justified declared righteous in Christ.
The contrast of reign of death and reign of life: (5:17-19):
Adam’s disobedience caused a reign of death. In Adam we lost our kingship. Adam’s offense brought condemnation and death. Sin went into the world’s front door by means of Adam’s sin and so the death spread to all men.
But in Jesus Christ we reign as kings. And we reign “much more”! Our spiritual reign is far greater than Adam’s earthly reign, for we share abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness. Therefore being justified by faith we are declared righteous, we have Peace with God, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
For the kingdom of God is not matter of eating and drinking, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom.14:17). The phrase much more is repeated five times. This means that in Jesus Christ we have gained much more than we ever lost in Adam. (thought taken from Bible Exposition commentary)
The entire generation belongs to either Adam or Jesus Christ. All those who are born in this world identified themselves with Adam and all those who are born-again identifies themselves with Jesus Christ. The representative speak for their people. The simple outcome is that if we choose Adam, we receive judgement and condemnation and if we choose Jesus, we receive a free gift of life and justification. The free gift is available to all humanity but it can be received only through Christ.
Adam may not have committed series of sins. But in act of disobedience or offence he was made sinner and the entire generation was made sinful. If the ramification of the offence was so great, how much more the obedience of one person (the Lord Jesus Christ) would make humanity righteous. Further if “our righteous acts are like filthy rags in the sight of God” (Isa.64:6), how much more wonderful when Christ imputes His righteousness upon those who are born-again.
The contrast of law of condemnation and grace of life: (5:20-21)
- The reign of Law: The law was given so that the offence might abound. The law does not make us sinners. The law is given to lead us into a good life. Beyond the law was the grace and faith. Humanity has miserably failed to fulfil the law and became sinners, and for that matter no human being can live with 100% fulfilment. The breaking of law has ushered the condemnation for all humanity. Yes “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (3:23). There is no one righteous under the sun. The law points at us that we are sinner more and more because the law contains God’s holy standards and man cannot fulfil it. So it brought more and more condemnation.