Eternity Daily Bible Study: No. 524 Romans 1-8 - A Righteousness That Is By Faith Verses: Romans 5:17-21 Topic: Adam and Christ - Part 2 "How Much More!" Date: 13th October 2005 Romans 5:17-21 HCSB Since by the one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. (18) So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone. (19) For just as through one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. (20) The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more, (21) so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The four main points in today's passage are: 1.Christ undoes the damage done by Adam, (for those who believe). 2. Christ's obedience leads to life for many just as Adam's disobedience led to death for many. 3.But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more. 4.Grace and righteousness conquer sin and death Paul uses the rhetorical "how much more" to point out that the blessings from Christ far surpass the curses from Adam. This expression "how much more" or "much more then" (Gk "pollo mallon") is used four times in this chapter (verses 9,10, 15 and 17). Romans 5:9-10 HCSB Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life! Romans 5:15,17 HCSB But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man's trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift overflowed to the many by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. ... Since by the one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. This expression is used 11 times in the NT (HCSB) and is always used in the context of Jewish rabbinical arguments from the lesser to the greater. The argument is of the form: "If the lesser results in X - then the greater will do much more than X." - here are three examples: Matthew 6:30 HCSB If that's how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won't He do much more for you--you of little faith? Matthew 7:11 HCSB If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 10:25 HCSB It is enough for a disciple to become like his teacher and a slave like his master. If they called the head of the house 'Beelzebul,' how much more the members of his household! Paul sees God working in Christ as far, far greater than the Devil working though Adam. He sees grace resulting in righteousness as far, far greater than sin which results in death. The greater must conquer the lesser. Sin may abound, but grace because it is the greater will even more abound. God's work will completely conquer the Devil's work so that at the resurrection we will say: 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 HCSB (54) Now when this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. (55) O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting? Even the damaged creation will be restored to the glory God intended for it: Romans 8:19-22 HCSB For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God's sons to be revealed. (20) For the creation was subjected to futility--not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it--in the hope (21) that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God's children. (22) For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. God will completely undo all the damage done by sin and death, especially for those who believe. Those who believe are not left struggling against sin in their own strength but are indwelt by a powerful, holy redemptive power who changes them from glory to glory: 2 Corinthians 3:18 HCSB (18) We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit. Some of you may have very damaged lives. You need to lay hold of the "how much more" and believe that God will do much more good for you than the Devil did you harm. God will forgive your sin, heal your spirit, and redeem the years the locusts have eaten, Joel 2:23-26 HCSB Children of Zion, rejoice and be glad in the LORD your God, because He gives you the autumn rain for your vindication. He sends showers for you, both autumn and spring rain as before. (24) The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with new wine and olive oil. (25) I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust ate, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust--My great army that I sent against you. (26) You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied. You will praise the name of Yahweh your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. My people will never again be put to shame. 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