Romans 5:15 But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God… Note — I. THE INTRINSIC NATURE OF THE THINGS HERE CONTRASTED; and we shall see that if the one arrangement could be adopted by God, much more likely is it that the other would be also, as being more strictly congenial with all that we know of His glorious character. God might permit us to sin and suffer in Adam, with reference to some future good to come out of it: He might permit it in harmony with His wisdom, holiness, and love; but still He could have no delight in it for its own sake. Yet we find that He has seen it right to permit these things to transpire: how much more, then, may we believe in the arrangement of grace, by which salvation is brought to our ruined race! But how do we know the feelings of the Most High in reference to this matter? What reason have we for supposing that it pleases Him more to give us life in Christ than to see us die in Adam? We take our views from His own word (Exodus 34:6, 7; Psalm 86:5, 15; Psalm 145:8, 9; Ezekiel 18:23, 31, 32; Ezekiel 33:11; John 3:16; John 4:16). Say not, then, complainingly that God has permitted you to die in Adam, but rather believe that He delights to give you life in Christ. II. THAT GRACE RELATES TO A LARGER NUMBER OF TRANSGRESSIONS THAN DID THE FIRST CONDEMNATION (ver. 16). The gift by one is quite unlike the sin by one, inasmuch as in the sin there was but one offence committed, and instantly judgment upon it; whereas, in the matter of the gift by grace, there is forgiveness ensured for many offences. Hitherto, we have been regarding the sin of mankind as one, and in that one sin all men became guilty before God. Let us, then, look at the nature and the number of our offences, all of which need to and can be forgiven through the atoning work of Christ. There are the sins of our ungodly life; there are also our sins since we entered on a godly career. We are daily guilty of omissions of duty, or grievous shortcomings in the mode of fulfilling our obligations. But beyond all this, there are positive faults and evils in the best of us. Yet — blessed be God! — these sins, however numerous, may be all pardoned through the blood of Christ; for the free gift is of many offences unto justification. III. THAT GRACE IS ESSENTIALLY A STRONGER PRINCIPLE THAN SIN (ver. 17). Life is more mighty than death. The range of death is limited; it can only ravage that which already exists. But life is a creative power to whose possible achievements we can assign no limits. Death is a negative principle, life a positive one. Death is a condition of the creature, life has its source and fulness in the infinite Creator. Under the domination of death we are made its groaning and unwilling victims; but under the reign of life we are caught up to the throne, and share with gladness in the monarch's might and joy. (T. G. Horton.) Parallel Verses KJV: But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. |
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