Romans 5:20, 21 Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:… A return to the mention of the Mosaic Law, and its part in the great economy of the world's history. Its immediate, remoter, and ultimate effects. I. IMMEDIATE EFFECT. 1. A side-economy: among one people, for disciplinary purposes. 2. "That the trespass might abound," i.e. that men might be compelled to the consciousness of that which wrought in them unconsciously. Working thus two-foldly - as revelation, and as repression. In the latter way, obviously to the intensifying of the consciousness of sin, as when a torrent is dammed. The former has an analogue in the growing knowledge of the Christian life, and the increased arduousness of Christian effort which is consequent upon it. So the moral law, the ceremonial, the prophets, and John Baptist. The climax of its effect towards sin in the crucifixion of Christ, in which man's wickedness, driven to desperation by the holy law of the life of Christ, showed its utmost evil. Truly, "the Law came in, that the trespass might abound." II. REMOTER EFFECT. "Grace did abound more exceedingly." 1. The very economy of law was an economy of mercy, in all its parts: so the "This do, and live," which in some sense was verified even to their imperfect doings; and so the double significance of their sacrifices, revealing indeed their guilt, but prophetic of expiation. 2. The climax of sin, wrought through the Law, was a climax of grace: the death of him who must die to take away sin. "More exceedingly?" Ah, yes! III. ULTIMATE EFFECT. Extension of effects, to all the world: and they? A contrast once again. 1. "Sin reigned in death" - the dread sign of its sovereignty. Seen everywhere - the dark sign-manual stamped on all the world. 2. "That even so might grace reign," etc. (1) Grace. God's favour shown in spite of sin. (2) Through righteousness. The favour being shown through Christ, and through the justification which is by him. God's favour at once the originating cause, and the realized effect, of the "righteousness." (3) Unto eternal life. The everlasting sign of the sovereignty of love, as contrasted with that death which was the sign of the sovereignty of sin. This, then, the paean which shall resound through all the ages - "Death is swallowed up in victory!" Shall we have part in that immortal song? - T.F.L. Parallel Verses KJV: Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: |
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