The First and Second Adam Compared in Reference
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…


I. TO THE UNIVERSALITY OF THEIR INFLUENCE. The first Adam destroyed all, the second has obtained grace for all — with this difference, that in the former case the ruin came inevitably, but the reception of the grace is suspended upon man's free choice.

II. TO THE INTENSITY OF THEIR INFLUENCE. The first Adam has by one sin given occasion to all sin; the second has by one act of grace expiated all sin — with this difference, that Adam's sin in itself was not greater than any other sin, but the grace of Christ outweighs the aggregate guilt of all sin.

III. TO THE FINAL RESULTS OF THEIR INFLUENCE. The first Adam has subjected mankind to the bondage of death, the second confers upon all, who will receive it, dominion in life — with this difference, that the fulness of grace in Christ not only meets the curse in Adam, but far surpasses the grace originally conferred upon man.

(J. Lyth, D. D.)



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.

WEB: But the free gift isn't like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.




The Advantages Accruing to the Race from the Fall
Top of Page
Top of Page