Introduction
Chapter 5 shows the benefits of justification as explained in chapter 4. We must understand the difference between justification and sanctification:
A. Justification is righteousness imputed; sanctification is righteousness imparted, worked out in our live by the Spirit.
B. Justification is our standing before God; sanctification is our state here on earth before others.
C. Justification never changes; sanctification does change.
The Blessings of Justification, vv. 1-11
A. Peace with God, v. 1. God is our Father, not our Judge.
B. Access to God, v. 2. We have hope; the lost do not, Ephesians 2:11-12.
C. Confidence through trials, vv. 3-4:
1. Testing + Christ = patience;
2. Patience + Christ = character; and
3. Character + Christ = hope/assurance.
D. Love of God, vv. 5-11.
1. God extended His love when Christ died for those:
a. who were “without strength,”
b. who were “ungodly,”
c. who were “sinners,”
d. who were “enemies.”
2. God will do even more for us now that we are His children!
a. Saved from “wrath”
b. Saved by Christ’s life
c. Saved by reconciliation/atonement.
Two Types of the Human Race, vv. 12-21: Contrast of Two Adams–Adam and Christ
A. When God looks at the human race, He sees only two men–Adam or Christ.
1. Those “in Adam” are lost.
2. Those “in Christ” are saved.
B. Contrast between the two Adams: the first Adam and the Last Adam (Christ):
1. The first Adam made from the earth; the Last Adam came from heaven.
2. The first Adam was king of the old creation; the Last Adam is King-Priest over the new creation.
3. The first Adam was tested in a perfect garden and sinned; the Last Adam was tested and obeyed God.
4. The first Adam brought sin and death on the human race; the Last Adam brought salvation and life to all who will believe.
5. The first Adam caused sin and death to reign in the world; the Last Adam caused grace and life.
C. The Witness of Scripture:
1. The OT is “the book of the generations of Adam” and ends with the word “curse,” Malachi 4:6.
2. The NT is “the book of the generations of Jesus Christ” and ends with “no more curse,” Revelation 22:3.
3. The paradise of Genesis that Adam lost is restored in Revelation through the Last Adam, Jesus.
Conclusion
Paul’s argument in Romans 5:12-14 goes like this: We all know that a man dies if he disobeys God’s law. But there was no law from Adam to Moses, yet men died! We know that Adam died because he disobeyed a divine law; but the generations from Adam to Moses did not have such a law to disobey. Then death must be from another cause, and that cause is Adam’s sin. Because we are born “in Adam,” we inherit his sin and condemnation. But in His grace, God has given a “Last Adam,” a new “Head” who has by His life and death undone all that Adam did in his sin.