WE REIGN IN LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

Passage: Romans 5:12-21

Key verse: 17b

NIV

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man,(A) and death through sin,(B) and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned(C)—

13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.(D) 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam,(E) who is a pattern of the one to come.(F)

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man,(G) how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,(H) 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(I) 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(J) through the one man, Jesus Christ!

18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people,(K) so also one righteous act resulted in justification(L) and life(M) for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man(N) the many were made sinners,(O) so also through the obedience(P) of the one man the many will be made righteous.

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

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

ESV

Death in Adam, Life in Christ

12 Therefore, just as (A)sin came into the world through one man, and (B)death through sin, and (C)so death spread to all men[a] because (D)all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but (E)sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not (F)like the transgression of Adam, (G)who was a type of (H)the one who was to come.

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 (I)many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For (J)the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought (K)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 (L)reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

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

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Footnotes
  1. Romans 5:12 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women; also twice in verse 18
  2. Romans 5:18 Or the trespass of one
  3. 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

Genesis teaches us that sin came to all people through one man—Adam. And because of sin, death came to us all. Sin did not begin when Moses brought the Law to the people. Sin was already in the world from the time of Adam through the time of Moses. So why did God give us the Law? So that sin might increase. But where sin increases, God’s grace increases even more. God’s grace is greater than all sin. The Law didn’t bring sin. And the Law didn’t save people from their sin. Rather, the Law showed us the need for God’s righteousness.

In contrast to the one man, Adam, through whom sin and death came, there is the one man Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ came life and peace, righteousness and eternal life, to all who believe. These are the gift of God. They come not through obedience to the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. Death had reigned over us all through Adam but we who receive grace and righteousness through faith reign in life through Jesus!

Prayer: Father, thank you so much for sending Jesus Christ. Because of him, we have eternal life. Because of him we are saved into you. Because of him, we reign in life with you, by your grace.

One Word: Because of Jesus, we reign in life!