Romans 5:12–21

Introduction

Romans 5:12–21: Adam, the first human God created, sinned by disobeying God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15–17; 3:1–24). In today’s reading, Paul discusses human sinfulness. He compares Adam, who brought sin and death into the world, with Christ, who made people acceptable to God and gave them the gift of eternal life.

Today’s Key Verse: Romans 5:21 GNT

So then, just as sin ruled by means of death, so also God’s grace rules by means of righteousness, leading us to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Read

¹² Sin came into the world through one man, and his sin brought death with it. As a result, death has spread to the whole human race because everyone has sinned. ¹³ There was sin in the world before the Law was given; but where there is no law, no account is kept of sins. ¹⁴ But from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, death ruled over all human beings, even over those who did not sin in the same way that Adam did when he disobeyed God’s command.

Adam was a figure of the one who was to come. ¹⁵ But the two are not the same, because God’s free gift is not like Adam’s sin. It is true that many people died because of the sin of that one man. But God’s grace is much greater, and so is his free gift to so many people through the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. ¹⁶ And there is a difference between God’s gift and the sin of one man. After the one sin, came the judgment of “Guilty”; but after so many sins, comes the undeserved gift of “Not guilty!” ¹⁷ It is true that through the sin of one man death began to rule because of that one man. But how much greater is the result of what was done by the one man, Jesus Christ! All who receive God’s abundant grace and are freely put right with him will rule in life through Christ.

¹⁸ So then, as the one sin condemned all people, in the same way the one righteous act sets all people free and gives them life. ¹⁹ And just as all people were made sinners as the result of the disobedience of one man, in the same way they will all be put right with God as the result of the obedience of the one man.

²⁰ Law was introduced in order to increase wrongdoing; but where sin increased, God’s grace increased much more. ²¹ So then, just as sin ruled by means of death, so also God’s grace rules by means of righteousness, leading us to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reflect

How does Paul contrast Adam with Christ? According to Paul, one of the chief functions of the Law was to show people how sinful they are and how much they need God’s forgiveness. What does Paul say about God’s free gift of grace (verses 15–17)? What does this gift of grace mean to you?

Pray

Righteous and loving God, thank you for your gift of abundant grace, for freeing me from the bondage of sin, and for your gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Guide me each day in the way of your truth. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

And now, join us in praising God that U.S. sailors are encountering the hope of Christ as they engage with God’s Word. Heavenly Father, life aboard a U.S. guided missile cruiser isn’t easy. The threats are real, and the crew faces challenging circumstances at sea day and night. We give you thanks and praise for the hundreds of Bibles that are being distributed to these sailors because of the generous support of Bible-A-Month Partners. Your living Word is speaking directly to the struggles, loneliness, and concerns facing these military members. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Romans 6:1–14: The apostle Paul explains how baptism brings us new life.