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I. THE TEST OF OBEDIENCE WHICH GOD INSTITUTED.

1. It was just and reasonable.

2. Simple and plain.

3. Practicable and easy.

II. THE MANNER OF ITS VIOLATION.

1. The serpent tempted.

2. The woman transgressed.

3. She gave also to Adam, and he did eat.

III. THE MORAL EVIL IT INVOLVED.

1. Great credulity, yet great unbelief.

2. Great discontent.

3. Great pride.

4. Great disobedience and presumption.

5. Great ingratitude.

IV. THE CALAMITOUS RESULTS IT PRODUCED.

1. Overwhelming fear and shame.

2. Open exposure and correction.

3. The Divine displeasure and punishment.

(1)  On the serpent (see ver. 15).

(2)  On the woman; subjection and sorrow in child-bearing (ver. 16).

(3)  On Adam. Ground cursed; toil, etc. (Genesis 17:18, 19). On both death, though not immediately executed.

Application:

1. Learn the origin of human sin.

2. Its disastrous effects.

3. Our natural connection with it.

4. The only way of deliverance from it.By faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was manifested in the flesh to destroy the work of the devil (see Romans 5:12-17).

(J. Burns, D. D.)

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KJV: Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

WEB: Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, "Has God really said, 'You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?'"