`As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin' (Rom.

`We are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was

raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also

should walk in newness of life' (Rom. 6:4).

The theme introduced by `as' in Romans 5:12 is continued in verses 19

and 21:

`For as by one man's disobedience' (Rom. 5:19).

`That as sin hath reigned unto death' (5:21).

We now return to Romans 5:12, and ask why this section is introduced by

the word translated `because of this', `like as'.  The answer is

`reconciliation' -- the last word of Romans 5:1-11.  Enemies were reconciled

by the death of Christ, and saved by His life `because of this'

reconciliation -- as Adam ... so Christ.  Because one man's one sin could

involve all who were in him in death; so one Man's one act of righteousness

could involve all who are in Him in life.  That is the simple issue.  It is

further developed to prove that the Work of Christ goes further, and deals

with `many offences' and in addition, `much more'.  Moreover, there is no act

of faith in being involved in either Adam's one act, or Christ's one act, but

there is `the receiving' of the gift and the consequent `reigning in life',

but `reigning' is something more than `living'.  All this we have yet to see.

Before we go further, however, it will be necessary to have Romans

5:12-21 before us, as without some guide we shall find the argument very

involved.  Moreover, it is vital to our peace and victory to see the teaching

of this passage with some degree of clearness, and we shall not consider the

space ill-used if we give the entire passage instead of the mere outline.  It

would further complicate this already complicated passage to depart from the

A.V. here, or to insert any notes whatever: all this we reserve and

subordinate to the one necessity -- a survey and large view of Romans 5:12-21

as a whole.

A 5:12-14.  a  `Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and

death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have

b

For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is

not imputed when there is no law.

c

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses,

even over them that had not sinned after the

similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the

figure of Him that was to come.

B

d But not as the offence, so also is the free

e

For if through the offence of one many be