Romans Chapter 5: Death in Adam, Life in Christ.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Therefore [because we have righteousness imputed to us, [by believing] in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf.] we have peace with God. Justification from our past sin by faith in Christ.
[AND] through Christ also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand.
Then if the first instance is referring to being saved from sin and reconciled with God through Christ. The next aspect is the present and continual state of bing through faith in Jesus Christ. In relation to the previous chapter which made reference to the psalm of David: This stage is referring to: “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.” If through the grace of our Lord our past sin are washed away by faith, then by faith “into this grace in which we stand” is a continual state of righteousness. [By faith] just as our faith was necessary to justifies us from our past sins our faith is necessary to obtain the grace of our Lord. That is we can count on it, without any work.
- “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we might obtain mercy and find grace in time of need.” Hebrews 5:16
- “And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1
We have access by faith: Grace is grace as long as it is not mixed with law. If seeking justification through the law we are moved from the hope of grace [Galatians 5:4] then it is not a permanent state of bing as in placed, but a state achieved through continual faith.
“rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Now hope speaks of something that is to come: Our joy in the hope of being partakers of the glory of God. [as heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ that we may share in His glory. Romans 8:17]
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulation, knowing tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
We rejoice in tribulations [trials and testings] on account of our faith in Jesus Christ. As most has taught saying a tree that is pushed and pulled by the wind set forth deeper roots. Therefore we learn to endure and endurance teaches us patience becoming grounded in [the hope of salvation]. That is patience allows us to confidently wait on our hope. Hope is a confident expectation of things not seen. And this hope is assured, because we have a down payment of this hope that is the love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. [Test and trials may result in being approved.]
- that the genuineness of your faith,..though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ… Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith – the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:7-9
Which James and Peter also encourage that through these trials we are approved and strengthened and gain spiritual progress.
- “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patiences. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4
- “but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and God rests upon you. 1 Peter 4:13-14
But God demonstrate His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son much more shall we be saved by His life.
The first act is from God, the means by which reconciliation is made available. “That God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them.” 2 Corinthians 5:19 So if God made such a way [under such circumstances: estranged and enemies of God], then our salvation or escape from wrath is that much more assured because we are now made righteous through Him. For through Christ death, the sins of the world are expunged, then how much more we will be saved through His life. His death brought us to God, and through His life in us we have much more. That His life means much more, the purpose was not just to wipe away our sins but to bind us with the very life of God. He who is joined to the Lord is one Spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 5:17
[If while we are undeserving God saved us through Jesus by His death, Then now that we are made just and righteous, how much more will we be kept for salvation and glory by His life.]
And not only that but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Forgiven, made righteous and kept from wrath [And not only that] now we are reconciled with God, we rejoice in this new relationship we have with God through Christ. [As children of God]
Now, Paul gives the explanation of the process, what it means:
Therefore, as through one man sin entered the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because all sinned. For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed where there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the Him who was to come.
When Adam disobeyed God [did not believe Him] the consequence of that act: sin became part of the world. And the judgment for sinning is death. Therefore death came to all men because all sinned. That people sinned even without a law to break: but sin was not charged since there was no law to break. Yet they all died from Adam to Moses [were subject to death] even though they did not break an explicit command of God as Adam did. [That death was inescapable fact, because all mankind was in sin.]
Now, Adam was a prototype: as Jesus is. A first of a kind, that all subsequents are made in likeness of.
- The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is from haven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have born the image of the man of dust, we shall also bare the image of the heavenly man. 1 Corinthians 15:47-49
But the free gift is not like the offence. For if by the one man’s offence many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offence resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offences resulted in justification.
The free gift of righteousness is not like the sin. The many died because of the one sin of Adam and they died because they all sinned. However the free gift is not like the offence [since each dies for his own sins] but this unmerited favour of God, in a gift of righteousness is made freely available to all. And this gift is not like what resulted through Adam. A judgment of condemnation came from one offence but after countless offences came justification through the free gift of righteousness. [Grace superabounded over many offences]
For if by one man’s offence death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Death is a condition in itself inherited from Adam. “from dust you came to dust you must return.” Genesis 3:19 Every child of Adam is made in his likeness of dust, then death becomes the very essence of that nature. And death have every right because they all sinned. Then if as a result of sin death ruled than how much more those who receive the grace of God, and made righteous result in the abundance of life [eternal life] through Jesus Christ.
Therefore, through one man’s offence judgement came to all men leading to condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act, the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners. By one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
Just as through Adam all men were condemned through the judgment of sin, then through Jesus and the free gift of righteousness result in being made worthy of eternal life.
Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
As one offence [the breaking of one law] resulted in condemnation, then through the introduction many laws offences were multiplied [that offence may be know and may increase] that all may be consigned to sin that God’s grace may abound to all.
As sin through law ruled in death, grace may rule in righteousness leading to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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