In chapter 5:12-21 Paul explains how Christ's saving death has affected all humanity. Paul does this by comparing the saving work of Christ with the condemning work of Adam. He begins this comparison in v12, but then in v13-17 he qualifies it. Finally, in v18, he makes the comparison, repeats it in v19, and then in v20-21 notes the part the law plays.

v18. Paul resumes the comparison between the condemning work of Adam and the saving work of Christ which he had introduced in v12. His point is simple, just as Adam's transgression has led to the condemnation and doom of all humanity, so Christ's work of acquitting sinners before God, by means of his atoning work on the cross, has led to eternal life.

v19. The point made in verse 18 is repeated. Just as Adam's disobedience has affected all, so Jesus' obedience has affected all. As one man's disobedience made all humanity sinners, so one man's obedience (ie. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross) has made justification (ie. divine acquittal consisting of the gift of an eternal right-standing before God) possible for all humanity. We are all sinners because of Adam's sin in the sense that sin, having entered the human race through Adam, now prompts an innate tendency toward living a sinful life. Yet, on the other hand, we are accounted righteous in God's sight through Jesus' obedience - his conformity to the will of God, his submission to the cross. The righteous standing that belongs to Jesus becomes ours when we link ourselves with Jesus, when we incorporate ourselves with Jesus. In Jesus we are counted righteous. The NIV actually says that in Jesus "we are made righteous." Most commentators suggest that the word "made" is best understood as "declared". That is to say, although we are still unrighteous in our actual state, we are "constituted righteous" as far as our eternal standing is concerned in the presence of God. It is dangerous to push "made" in the sense of possessing a righteous state, since the old Adam is with us till the day we die. Still, if God declares us righteous, then we are righteous. The eternal reality of our righteous status is such that we can properly say we are eternally "ranked as being righteous", Heinz Cassirer.

v20-21. Paul now clarifies his argument by explaining the function of the Law of Moses in the business of condemnation and reconciliation. The Law was added to increase human transgression, yet where sin increased, God's grace overflowed all the more in the gift of righteousness (justification - God's declaration of right standing in his sight) for sinners, and thus, as a consequence, eternal life (peace with God, reconciliation) through Christ. The Law of Moses came many years after Adam. When it came it served to show up sin for what it is, and so made sinful acts conscious and willful acts of disobedience against God. Yet, as this rebellion against God continued, culminating in the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus, so also the grace of God overflowed all the more from this very act of ultimate evil. This served to displace the reign of sin, resulting in death, with the never-ending reign of God's undeserved favour. God's favour (his grace) is seen in the gift of right-standing in his sight, which gift results in eternal life.

The Bible tells us that Jesus identifies himself with sinners through his death on the cross. He makes himself one with us so that he can stand before the judgement throne of God on our behalf.

It is interesting how often people describe their near death experience as if they have entered a temple of light and there before them sits ...... well, lets say "the Ancient of Days." My father actually had such a near-death experience during an operation. As he put it, "I saw the temple of light and He beckoned me." In reality, the stare of the Ancient of Days would destroy us in a moment, but if we hide behind Jesus then he sees only the righteousness of his Son rather than our sinfulness.

We can stand approved before "the Ancient of Days" if we share the righteousness that belongs to Jesus. Through faith in Christ we are incorporated in, united with, Christ, and so in Jesus we can receive the long-promised blessings of God, "well done thou good and faithful servant." In Jesus we are treated as faithful sons of God.

Thankfully, the stare of the Almighty does not pierce the goodness of Jesus.

1. What did Adam's disobedience achieve, and what did Jesus' obedience achieve?

2. Discuss the meaning of the phrase "made righteous".

3. What is the function of the Law of Moses?