Romans 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. I. MAN WAS MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, which consisted partly — 1. In his power over all terrestrial creatures (Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8:5, 6). Hence he gave names (Genesis 2:19.20). 2. In the perfection of his nature, endued with — (1) Reason. (2) Will. (3) Knowledge (Colossians 3:9, 10). (4) True holiness (Ephesians 4:24). II. MAN FELL FROM THIS HIGH ESTATE THROUGH DISOBEDIENCE (Genesis 2:16, 17; Genesis 3:1, etc.) . 1. How this was done. (1) Through Satan's temptation, which was managed with great cunning. (a) He enters the serpent, the subtlest creature. (b) Sets upon the woman, the weaker vessel (1 Peter 3:7). (c) Propounds a doubtful question (Genesis 3:1). (d) Denies the truth of God's threatenings (ver. 4). (e) Gives a contrary promise and uses the name of God to confirm it (ver. 5). (2) Through the woman's fault. (a) In entering into a dispute with the devil. (b) In doubting the truth of God's command. (c) In eating the fruit. (3) Through the man's fault. In taking the fruit at her hands. 2. What was involved. (1) He broke the first command, by infidelity, ingratitude, contempt of God, and ambition to be like God (Genesis 3:5). (2) Hearkened to the devil's word before Gods. (3) Pleased his wife rather than God. (4) Murdered his whole posterity (John 8:44). (5) Minded the lusts of the flesh more than the law of God. (6) Stole God's fruit. (7) Coveted God's attributes. III. THROUGH THIS DISOBEDIENCE ALL HIS POSTERITY WERE MADE SINNERS. 1. By imputation. (1) In that all sinned in him (vers. 12, 16-18; Hebrews 7:9, 10). (2) In that all died in him (Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:22). (3) All were then in his loins; so that he was the common father of all mankind; therefore called Adam, i.e., man in general (Genesis 5:1). 2. By inhesion. All, through Adam's sin — (1) Are born in sin (Psalm 51:5; Job 14:4; Ephesians 2:3; John 3:3). Hence only is it that children die. (2) Do actually commit sin, which shows all mankind to be polluted with it and inclined to it (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Proverbs 20:9; 1 Kings 8:46; Galatians 3:22; 1 John 1:8-10). 3. The whole man is defiled with sin and continually subject to it. (1) The understanding (1 Corinthians 1:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 2:14). (2) The mind and conscience (Titus 1:15). It is stupid (1 Timothy 4:2), or else troubled. (3) The memory (2 Peter 1:21). (4) The thoughts and the imagination (Genesis 6:5), which appears in their vanity and disorder. (5) The will and affections (John 1:13; Colossians 3:2). (6) The body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). It is not now serviceable to the soul, but a clog to it; yet it tempts it to sin. 4. Hence our original sin is the corrupt fountain from which all our actual sins flow (James 1:14). Some relics of it remain in the best saints (Galatians 5:17).Conclusion: 1. This should make us humble (Job 15:14-16). 2. Hence we should earnestly desire to be made new creatures; and go to Christ, the Second Adam, that we may be made righteous by Him, as we are sinners by the first. (Bp. Beveridge.) Parallel Verses KJV: For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. |
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