GOD'S GIFT OF LIFE

Passage: Romans 5:15-21

Key verse: 21

NIV

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man,(A) how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,(B) overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death(C) reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life(D) through the one man, Jesus Christ!

18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people,(E) so also one righteous act resulted in justification(F) and life(G) for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man(H) the many were made sinners,(I) so also through the obedience(J) of the one man the many will be made righteous.

20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.(K) But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,(L) 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death,(M) so also grace(N) might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life(O) through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for (A)many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For (B)the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought (C)justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness (D)reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

18 Therefore, as one trespass[a] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness[b] leads to justification and life for (E)all men. 19 For as by the one man's (F)disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's (G)obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now (H)the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, (I)grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, (J)as sin reigned in death, (K)grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Romans 5:18 Or the trespass of one
  2. Romans 5:18 Or the act of righteousness of one
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. The gift is not like the trespass (15-17)

Adam disobeyed God. By his seemingly simple act, he cut the life line between God and man and brought death to the human race. But God gave the precious gift of his own son, Jesus. This was a gift of God's love and life. It was a gift of grace that overflowed to all people. It was a gift of righteousness that makes all who accept this gift right with God. This gift reestablishes God's spiritual life-line to mankind.

2. Life-giving obedience (18-21)

Adam's one act of disobedience resulted in condemnation for all men. Jesus, although he was God's Son, had to learn obedience (Heb 5:8). His great act of obedience was his death on the cross. This act of obedience brings forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who believe in him. Sin reigns in death; but grace reigns through Jesus Christ to give eternal life to all who trust him.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being a life-giving God. Help me participate in your life-giving work through obedience to you and your word.

One Word: Eternal life, God's gift