Romans 5:12-21 Summarizing Sin and Justification

“Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life to all men.” Rom. 5:18

Paul concludes this first section of Romans concerning sin, judgment and justification by contrasting two men who have had unparalleled impacts on the human race. One man’s single action affected the human race negatively resulting in appropriate condemnation. The other man’s single action affected the human race positively resulting in undeserved blessing. The two men are Adam and Jesus. Adam’s act was an act of sin. Jesus’ act was an act of righteousness. Adam’s act resulted in a sinful nature in all of his descendants along with condemnation and death. Jesus’ act resulted in the gift of righteousness offered to all men. Consequent to Jesus act, came life, and not just life but reigning in life.

Paul’s teaching in Rom 1:18 to 3:20 leaves no doubt that every single human being is guilty of sin. Quoting the Old Testament, he states “There is no one righteous, not even one;…” A questioning person has to ask why. What is so pervasive about sin that it affects every person on the planet? Why aren’t there some people who are sin free? The answer – Adam sinned and it affected his nature. Every human being is descended from Adam and we inherited his corrupt nature.

Put a hungry lion in a room. In one corner of the room, place the carcass of a flea-bitten deer. In the other corner of the room, place a bushel of premium grain. The lion will go to the carcass every time. Why? Because it is in his nature to eat meat. It is in our nature to reject God and His law every time.

What is the best way to highlight this sinful nature? Bring in the law. Bring in the moral code that reflects the truth about God and His character. That’s like bringing in a bushel of fine grain. The lion will always go to the meat. If we had only meat in the room, we could only speculate about the lion’s nature. But when we add the wheat, it highlights the lion’s nature to eat meat. Rom 3:20 says “…through the law we become conscious of sin.” In this verse the law makes us conscious of sin by providing a well-defined reference point of righteousness. Rom 5:20 says “The law was added so that the trespass might increase.” In this verse the law not only makes us conscious of sin but it exposes how our sinful nature reacts to God’s laws with further disobedience.

And finally we are told that “where sin increased, grace increased all the more…” (v.20) How ever large is the size of sin or the quantity of it, the size of God’s grace and the quantity of it is far greater. How bad are you? How great are your sins? God’s grace is far greater!