Romans 5:12-21 Exposition and Discussion Questions

Romans 5:12-21

Exposition and Notes
This section is immensely difficult, both in interpretation and in the fact that it contains some truths that are just hard to accept, primarily about the doctrine of ‘original sin’ or ‘original guilt.’ But it is, indeed, vital – and if your students understand it – cause for so much happiness in God.

The section starts with the word ‘therefore.’ There’s much debate about why exactly that’s there. I think looking at the broad schemes of vv. 1-11 as it works with 12-21 helps us discern that, though. Chapter 4 ends with Paul’s defense of the doctrine of justification by faith, and Chapter 5 begins to talk about some of the results of it – reiterating that the reason we experience those results (hope of a glorious future, joy, perseverance in suffering) is because of Jesus’ death.

12-21 are about Jesus being a better representative than Adam was. 12-14 don’t form a complete sentence – and so connecting the ‘therefore’ with those verses is a bit out of place. 12-14 serve the function of contrasting Adam with Christ, which is picked up in v. 15.

The point of the ‘therefore’ is then to say that since Jesus’ death accomplished so much for sinners, his effect on humanity (largely unseen) is infinitely more than Adam’s effect on humanity (which is seen in suffering and death).

This probably isn’t a huge thing to hit in your Bible study – but I use it to bring up the point of this passage – Jesus is glorified because his work has huge effect.

vv. 12-14
These are the three most difficult verses in the section, partially because it’s not a complete sentence and never gets finished, and partially because Paul uses the phrase ‘all sinned’ in a way that’s completely foreign to us.

Here’s the logic: Adam sinned and sin entered the world. Sin’s entry into the world brought death with it. Everyone died.

Now everyone died for a reason that Paul doesn’t want us to miss, so when he says that everyone died because they all sinned, he makes sure we understand (in v. 13) that he’s not talking about their sins as individuals. He talks about those who have no law as not actually experiencing the penalty for their own sins/transgressions – but dying anyway (v. 14).

So people (who these are is debatable – possibly even infants) who don’t even know they’re sinning and thus aren’t being penalized for their own sinning are still being punished for Adam’s sin.

A couple things here – this runs contrary to western individualism, but not eastern emphases on community. Second, you may have to answer a question here about where infants go when they die – which is by no means an easy question to answer.

Even though these verses run contrary to what our culture says is ‘right’ – we experience their reality. Death is true for every person – even infants. Suffering is true everywhere. God’s word not only explains this – but predicts it.

vv. 15-17
These verses contrast the effects of what Adam did with the effects of what Christ did.

Let’s look at Adam first. In v. 15, his trespass led to ‘many’ dying. In v. 16, his trespass brought judgment upon him which brought condemnation. In v. 17, Adam’s trespass brought the reign of death – death acting as king over the world.

Now let’s look at what Jesus did. In v. 15, Jesus’ gift by his grace and God’s grace abounded for many. (Remember, grace is God’s power in bringing about the happiness of his people!) In v. 16, the free gift brings justification. In v. 17, We learn that this free gift is ‘righteousness’ (remember 1:18, 3:21-28, 4:4-8, etc.) – and that the result is that those who receive it will reign in life.

In summary, Adam’s sin brought death to everyone, condemnation, and death’s rule over the world.

Jesus’ actions brought the gift of righteousness, which brought justification (being declared righteous), which brings reigning in life.

In contrast – Adam sinned, but Jesus obeyed; in Adam all are condemned, in Christ all are declared righteous; in Adam death rules you, in Christ you get righteousness and its result – reigning over the world (which is what Adam and Eve were supposed to get had they obeyed – Gen. 1:27, 28).

In saying all this, I’m making implicit a key factor in the text. When Paul says ‘many’ or ‘all’ he means ‘many connected to Adam’ or ‘many connected to Jesus’ – and more importantly – ‘all connected to Adam’ (which is all people before coming to Jesus) and ‘all connected to Jesus’ (which is through faith).

vv. 18-21
Verses 18 and 19 conclude the contrast between Adam and Jesus, and then 20 and 21 conclude the section.

In vv. 18 and 19 we see that Adam breaking God’s law resulted in all being condemned. Through his disobedience many were made sinners. Now ‘made’ here doesn’t mean ‘became’ – it means ‘considered.’ So in other words, when Adam obeyed, God considered all in him (humanity) to be sinners – even though they hadn’t sinned yet.

Jesus on the other hand in 18 and 19 obeyed. His one act of righteousness – or in other words - his righteousness – results in all in him being declared righteous and getting life because they are considered righteous. Again, ‘made’ righteous doesn’t mean they’re made obedient – it means they’re considered righteous by God because Jesus was righteous in their place. All in Christ through faith are represented before God by Christ’s righteousness.

Verses 20 and 21 summarize the section. God giving the Law (commands, 10 commandments, etc.) increased the effects of Adam’s sin. (As for what the effects are, remember from v. 13 that more sins are now counted to these sinners because they know they’re sinning – and that, in ch. 7:7-13, God says that we rebel against the law because we’re rebels in nature. Further, note that in v. 20 itself the result is ‘sin increased.’) Sin was ruling the world – and thus, death was the fate of all.

But God gave grace more than sin ruled the world – and God’s acting – his power for the happiness of his people resulted in the gift of righteousness being given to people through Jesus Christ the Lord – and the result of that righteousness being given as a gift to believers is eternal life for them.

Suggested Bible Study Discussion Guide
-What are some things in the world that need to be fixed? That aren’t the way they need to be?
-How does someone who doesn’t believe in the Bible explain the existence of evil and suffering?
-Tonight we’re going to be looking at where death comes from – and how Jesus is better.
-Have someone pray
-Have someone read Genesis 1:27, 28; 2:15.
-You may have to explain that being in God’s ‘image’ means ‘to glorify him.’
-Have someone read Romans 5:12-14
-What are some major themes in these verses?
-What do they say about the world now?
-Why’s v. 13 important? You’re looking for the fact that we’re guilty in Adam here.
-You may just need to explain these verses. They’re extremely difficult.
-Have someone read vv. 15-17
-Define ‘transgression’ and ‘trespass’ as ‘breaking of a law.’
-What effects did Adam’s transgression have?
-How is Jesus better?
-How are we saved according to these verses?
-What should we take away from these verses? (You’re looking for ‘worship’ and excitement about our reign.)
-Have someone read vv. 18-21
-Explain that ‘made’ means ‘considered’ – not ‘transformed into.’
-What’s going on here?
-What does righteousness have to do with all this?
-Where’s it come from?
-What effects does it have?
-Why has Paul written this section? To magnify Christ! You may just have to preach the gospel to your group – the goal is excitement about Jesus and his work!