Romans 5

8/14/2012

Click here to read today's passage on Bible Gateway.

Grace Abounded All the More
There's a lot that we could talk about it today's chapter, so I'm trying to choose wisely. First of all, understand that the "Adam-Jesus" parallel is REALLY important to understanding what Paul is writing here, and also to really understanding the story of the whole Bible. I don't think I can really explain it much clearer than Paul already does, so just make sure that you read it slow and take the time to understand what he's saying in that section.

I want to provide you with a little help in the last section of the reading. Carefully look through the diagram below and I'll try my best to explain it underneath.

Diagram by Kc Myers. Click to enlarge.

Basically, mankind begins in what is usually called in theological terms "unconfirmed holiness" or, as in the diagram, "creaturely holiness". This means that God creates humankind without sin, they don't yet have sin, but have the ability to do so. The passage walks us down through the "levels" (not a great word, but I can't think of a better one) of how sin abounds. Adam sins, falling from creaturely holiness. Ungodliness reigns after, men forsaking the following of God, but without the specifics of the law condemning them. The Law comes, making the situation even worse because men now knowingly and blatantly break the commands of God. The situation is dire. "But where sin increased, grace abounded all the more" (v. 20). Jesus is much more than just the second Adam. The free gift is not like the trespass - it does much more!

The gift of the righteousness of Jesus does more than zero out the score. We're not back at creaturely holiness - we've been given the very righteousness of Jesus! This, and this only, allow us to enter into the gates of God's city. It is MUCH MORE. Not only has that been gifted to us, but because we can enter God's Kingdom, we await the final day when we will be given CONFIRMED holiness. Sin will be done away with. We won't be able to sin any more. I don't know about you, but sounds great.

Much, much greater than the trespass.

Ina

8/14/2012 05:16:49 pm

I remember in the don't be silly passage how you talked about God doesn't need sin to show his righteousness. However I can't help but see how sin and righteousness go hand in hand somewhat in todays reading and especially in the diagram.
For example Paul says "but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more"
And then the diagram shows how humans have increasingly depraved themselves and then do they go to righteousness.

So i guess my question overall is isn't these two ideas (the one form don't be silly and todays) somewhat contradictory?

thanks!

Greg

8/15/2012 01:11:01 pm

The "don't be silly" (usually "may it never be") statement is a response to those who would say (as we see again in 6:1) that if sinning reveals grace, then we should all just keep sinning and maybe even to some really bad sins so that lots and lots of God's grace will be given. Someone who thinks that way (Paul implies) doesn't really understand the point of God's grace and hence he writes chapter 6 about how those that have God's grace are no longer slaves to sin and have been changed, forsaking sin. The point of this diagram and passage in chapter 5 is to say in essence that we should never think that sin can ever be anywhere near as powerful as grace is. So the statement "where sin abounded, graced abounded all the more." It's saying that the power of grace and the gift of righteousness has much more power than sin could ever have and goes much higher than just going back to before the Fall.

Also important to note is that the chart does not show something that ALWAYS happens. It's not saying that people spiral down into sin and then get kicked up to righteousness. It's showing that we were all (and many still are) in the furthest depths of sin, but Jesus' saving grace (bestowed on those who believe in Him and confess His name) is much greater than we can imagine. Make sense?

8/15/2012 04:19:03 pm

Yea! Thank you!

Andrei

8/14/2012 06:22:07 pm

Worddd

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Romans 5

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