Romans 5:12-21

We have been told that we can rejoice in hope as we live in this life (5:3), a hope based in the death and resurrection life of Christ (v10).  Some may wonder if this is truly possible and todays passage says yes!  In this passage it helps to start with the last two verses.  They tell us where the passage is headed.  Rather than a life where sin is king (remember 1:18-3:20) it is a life where grace is king through righteousness.  How can this be?  The answer is found in a contrast of the two kingdoms.

·        The kingdom of death, v12-14.

v The origin of this kingdom, v12a.  Adam, the first man and first sinner, was the reason for this kingdom.  Sin entered the world through Adam, simple enough.  And with sin came death (Gen. 2:15-17).

v The extent of this kingdom, v12v-14.  The sin and death of Adam was passed to all men.  Before the Mosaic law, even those who did not sin the exact sin as Adam, all men were sinners.  The key thought is that Adam is a type of Christ who was to come.  Even as Christ died for us (5:8) so Adam sinned for us.

 Some find this objectionable, that all people are declared sinners because of the actions of our most ancient ancestor.  But not only is it the teaching of Scripture; it is also a good thing for mankind.  The fact is all have sinned (Rom. 3:23; Eccl. 7:20).  If Adam did not stand as a representative for all men, then neither could Christ, the second Adam, represent all men.  Each sinner would pay the price (death) for his own sin.  Christ’s perfect life would only benefit Him.  Man’s situation would be hopeless.

·        The kingdom of life, v15-19.

v The extent of this kingdom, v15.  The kingdom of death reaches to all the descendants of the one man, Adam.  The kingdom of life reaches to all who receive the grace and the free gift of grace through the one Man, Jesus Christ.

v The entrance into this kingdom, v16.  One sin resulted in all men being subjects of the kingdom of death.  For many sins there was justification provided through one free gift.  One enters this kingdom by being justified.

v The subjects of this kingdom, v17.  The subjects are those who have received abundant grace and the free gift of righteousness.  They will reign in life through the work of Christ.  Not only do they reign in terms of eternal life; they also will reign in this life as the following chapter says (Rom. 6:14).

v The origin of this kingdom, v18-19.  The origin of the kingdom of death was the one offense or disobedience of Adam; all men thereafter were subject to sin and death.  The origin of the kingdom of life is the right act or obedience of the one Man, Jesus Christ.  All who receive Him are justified (v18) and will be made righteous (v19).  It is because believers are subjects in the kingdom of grace and life that they will be made righteous.

This brings us to v20-21.  Paul says the Mosaic law (v13) was given that sin might abound in the kingdom of death.  But to the extent that sin was multiplies grace was even more plentiful in the kingdom of life.

Think about this!  Which kingdom is your home?  All were born into the kingdom of sin and death.  Those who, by faith, receive the gift of grace are transferred into the kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:13-14).