15. But not as the trespass [this
introducing contrasts between the results of the conduct of
Adam and of Christ], so also is the free gift [of
righteousness, v.17, or justification, v.18]. For if by
the
trespass [singular] of the one [Adam]
the many
died [all died, v.12], much more did the grace
of God, and the gift of the one man, Jesus
Christ, abound unto the many [all].
"Abound" (1) not only to the point of
freeing them from the sin committed through Adam and
resultant physical death, but (2) also freeing them from
all personally committed sins and resultant spiritual death
-- if they
"receive the abundance of grace" available (v.17)
-- "access" to which is had by "faith"
(v.2).
16. And not as through the one that sinned, so
is the
gift: for the judgment came of one [trespass] unto
condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses unto
justification.
"The free gift came of many trespasses unto
justification" -- came not only because of the
trespass of Adam and by us through Adam, but also because
of our personally committed trespasses -- came "unto
justification," i.e., for the purpose of justifying us
from all trespasses
17. For if, by the trespass of
the one
[Adam], death reigned through the one; much more shall they
that receive the
abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness
reign in life through the one, even Jesus
Christ.
Having spiritual life here, and eternal life
hereafter (see v. 21).
18. So then as through one trespass the
judgment came unto all men to
condemnation; even so through one act of
righteousness the free gift came unto all men to
justification of
life.
As through the one trespass of Adam all were
condemned to physical death, so through one act of
righteousness by Christ (his death in our behalf) the free
gift came unto all men in order to (eis) justification unto
(eis) life --
even unto eternal life if they will "receive the
abundance of grace" available (v.17; see v.21).
19. For as through the one man's
disobedience [his one trespass, v.18] the many were made
sinners, even so through the obedience [the one act of
righteousness, v.18] of the one shall
the many be
made righteous.
"Be made righteous" with respect to the one
trespass through Adam, and "made righteous" with
respect to their personally committed trespasses also
if they
"receive the abundance of grace" available in
Christ by faith (v.17).
20. And the law ["the" not in original] came
in besides [the trespass of Adam and through Adam], that
the trespass might abound; but where [the] sin abounded,
[the] grace did abound more exceedingly
[superabounded].
To the extent that law came in (see v.14), and was
violated, sin abounded; but where sin abounded, grace
superabounded to take care of all the transgressions of
those who avail themselves of it (v.17).*
21. That, as [the] sin reigned in death, even so might
grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
"Eternal life" is the climactic blessing of
availing ourselves of the "abundance of grace" in
Christ (v.17) by "faith" (v.2).
* See Genesis 26:5 for the fact that Abraham was under a
measure of law, though living some centuries before the
giving of the Law of Moses. God said of him: "Abraham
obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my
statutes, and my laws."
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