Jesus is Better- Romans 5: 12-21

Paul's letter to the church in Rome 

 Sermon Text: Romans 5:12-21

Link to Personal Study Guide HERE

Link to Romans Sermon Series HERE

Historic Interpretation of Romans 5:12-19 Referenced in Sermon

“By one man sin entered into the world, or men were brought to stand as sinners before God; death consequently came to everyone because, on account of the offense of that one man, they were all regarded and treated as sinners. That this is really the case is plain, because the execution of the penalty of a law cannot be more extensive than its violation, and consequently, if all are subject to penal evils, all are regarded as sinners in the sight of God. This universality in the infliction of penal evil cannot be accounted for on the basis of the violation of the law of Moses, since men were subject to such evil before that law was given. Nor can it be accounted for because of the violation of the more general law written on the heart, since even those who have never personally sinned at all are subject to this evil. We must conclude, therefore, that men are regarded and treated as sinners on account of the sins of Adam. He is, therefore, a type of Christ. The cases, however, are not entirely analogous. For if it is consistent with the divine character that we should suffer for what Adam did, how much more may we expect to be made happy for what Christ has done! Besides, we are condemned for one sin only, on Adam’s account; whereas Christ saves us not only from the evils consequent on that transgression, but also from the punishment of our own innumerable offenses. Now, if for the offense of one, death thus triumphs over all, how much more will they who receive the grace of the Gospel not only be saved from evil but reign in life through Christ Jesus!Therefore, as because of one man the condemnatory sentence has been passed on all the descendants of Adam, so because of the righteousness of one man, free justification comes on all who receive the grace of Christ. For as we are regarded as sinners because of the disobedience of the one, so because of the obedience of the other we are regarded as righteous.”