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"Two Adams"
Romans 5:12-21

Wednesday PM Home Bible Study
November 12, 2003

Two concepts are crucial to understanding this passage. The first concept is that of the "curse" that was brought upon humankind through the fall of Adam. The Bible begins with the warning of the curse of death that was brought about because of Adam's sin (Gen. 2:15-17); and it ends with the promise that the curse will be brought to an end (Rev. 22:1-3).

The second concept is that of how God solved the problem of the curse by providing a second "Adam" - a second "head" of the human race - through whom fallen humanity may be saved. This evening's passage teaches us how God 'reversed the curse' through Jesus Christ - the 'Last Adam' (1 Cor. 15:45).

I. HOW THE CURSE OF SIN AND DEATH CONTAMINATED THE HUMAN RACE (vv. 12-17).

A. It entered through the sin of one man (v. 12a).

B. The explanation of how this could be so (vv. 12b-17; a 'parenthetical statement'):

1. It spread to all humanity because all sinned (in Adam) (v. 12b-14).

2. This highlights the differences between the first and the last Adam (vv. 15-17).

a. There's a qualitative difference in that the grace of one abounded over the offense of the other (v. 15).

b. There's a legal difference in that while judgment came from one, justification came from the other (v. 16).

c. There's a consequential difference in that while death reigned through one, the reign of life came through the other (v. 17).

II. HOW THE CURSE WAS REVERSED BY THE ONE ACT OF CHRIST
(vv. 18-19; Paul now taking up again where he left off in verse 12).

A. Just as Adam's act resulted in judgment and condemnation to all, Christ's act resulted in the free gift of God's grace to all and the justification of life (v. 18).

B. Just as Adam's disobedience made sinners of many, through Christ's obedience many will be made righteous (v. 19).

III. WHY THE LAW WAS GIVEN (vv. 20-21).

A. It was given to increase transgressions (v. 20a; also Gal. 3:17-25; 2 Cor. 3:6-11; 1 Tim. 1:8-11).

B. So that, transgressions being increased, God's grace through Christ might "super-abound" (v. 20b).

C. The "super-abounding" of grace results in the "reverse of the curse" through Jesus Christ (v. 21).

THE ETERNAL STATE OF EVERY HUMAN BEING IS DETERMINED BY THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE OF TWO PERSONS: ADAM OR CHRIST. IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHO YOU'RE "IN". HAVE YOU PLACED YOUR TRUST IN THE SECOND 'ADAM'? ARE YOU "IN" CHRIST BY FAITH?

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