Romans 5:1-21

Romans 5:1-21

So far Paul has said…
1. We can’t be justified by works (1-3:20)
2. We can be justified by grace through faith (3:21-4:25)

The Results of Justification through faith (5:1-2)
1. Peace with God (so the war is ended)
2. Access into Grace (so we stay standing)
3. Joyful hope (so we have a future w/God)

Rejoice in Suffering? (5:3-5a)
1. Suffering -->Perseverance
2. Perseverance -->Character
3. Character -->Hope
4. Hope does not disappoint (2 Cor. 4:16-17)

God’s Great Love (5:5b-11)
We were
1. Powerless
2. Ungodly
God was
1. All-powerful
2. Perfect
If God was willing to rescue you when you were an enemy…
How much more will He do for you as His child?

Next, Paul compares & contrasts Adam with Christ. This is a way of appropriating the work of Christ not only to the people of Abraham (through fulfillment of covenant) but also to all of humanity (through restoration of brokenness).

The Headship of Adam
1. Sin entered the world through him
2. Death entered the world through sin
3. Adam was the head of mankind
4. We were the body of Adam
5. Therefore we share in his sin-nature and death

The Headship of Christ
1. Righteousness entered the world through him
2. Eternal life entered the world through righteousness
3. Christ is the head of the church
4. We are the body of Christ
5. Therefore we share in His righteousness and life

*5:12 was used by Augustine to prove 'original sin' by translating the last phrase 'in whom all sinned' (as in, all were 'in Adam'). Modern translators translate it 'because all sinned.' It should be noted that Augustine was not excellent in Greek.

??? If sin is not reckoned (v. 13) for those w/o the law, then why do they still die? Does it mean that they (the people) don't reckon them?