Romans 5:15 ESV
I want to keep in mind this line from the previous verse:
who was a type of the one who was to come.
Paul is now going to explain how Adam was a type of the one who was to come, that being Jesus Christ.
But the free gift is not like the trespass
He starts by immediately showing that, while Adam was a type of the one to come, the result of what the two (Adam and Jesus) did was different. So, what two things is Paul comparing in order to reveal contrast here?
a free gift: we know Paul is talking about eternal life when he speaks of the free gift available through Jesus Christ.
the trespass: here, Paul is specifically talking about the initial sin in the garden. We can, however, apply this to our lives and realize that any affects that stem from this initial trespass are also the result of our many trespasses. What sin took place in the garden that resulted in the fall of man? Was eating fruit a sin, or was it the fact that God's command was ignored? Eating fruit wasn't the issue, disobeying God was the terrible trespass - so we can be sure that any and all disobedience to God on our part, on any level, has the same result as Adam's initial trespass - separation from God.
We hear these commands and, on the surface, they seem easy enough to obey:
"You shall not murder" Exodus 20:13
"You shall not commit adultery" Exodus 20:14
"You shall not steal" Exodus 20:15
But what about commands like these:
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds James 1:2
These commands are much, much more difficult, if not seemingly impossible, to obey perfectly - yet our disobedience to these commands are the trespasses that hinder our relationship with God.
For if many died through one man's trespass
Paul now explains how, though Adam was a type of the one to come, the trespass and the free gift are very different. Through this explanation, we get more information about the ugliness of the trespass and the beauty of the free gift.
Paul reinforces what he stated in verse 12 -
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned -
This trespass of Adam spread to all men, and affected the relationship of all men with God. We are all accountable because we have all sinned, and so overwhelming is the curse of this sin that we are powerless against it. We are are born into it (spiritual death) and it always finds us (physical death).
much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.
Paul is saying here - if the trespass was powerful enough to separate all men from God, how much more powerful is the free gift to break those chains of condemnation and separation. Paul explains some of the characteristics of this free gift, eternal life, that reveal it's absolute beauty:
It is free (we cannot earn it or pay for it - nor are we expected to try), it is by grace (God's unmerited favor and not of us), and it is through our Lord Jesus Christ (it has nothing to do with our limited abilities but everything to do with His limitlessness and perfection)!
How can we not respond in awe of this amazing Truth!
Let's look at the power of this free gift of eternal life - this eternal life that can release us from the condemnation of the spiritual death -
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Col. 1:13,14
We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 1 John 3:14
Eternal life does not eliminate physical death, but has the power to remove its sting -
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. Philippians 1:21-23
This free gift of eternal life, with all of its power, is not something we are waiting for - something that will be presented to us on the last day. It is available now, empowering the saints as we press forward, as God reveals Himself continuously through us. Eternal life begins the moment the soul is transferred from death to life, the moment our relationship with God begins. On the last day, those who have eternal life will rejoice as they are raised up!
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36
but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." John 6:40
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3
