Romans 5:17
17 For [gar] if [ei] by one man's [heis] offence
[paraptoma] death [thanatos] reigned [basileuo] by [dia] one [heis]; much [polus] more [mallon] they which
receive [lambano] abundance [perisseia] of grace [charis] and [kai] of the gift [dorea] of righteousness
[dikaiosune] shall reign [basileuo] in [en] life [zoe] by [dia] one [heis], Jesus [Iesous] Christ [Christos].) KJV-Interlinear
17 For if, because of one
man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who
receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life
through the one man Jesus Christ. ESV
For by one man’s offense, is a reference to Adams
original sin. And by that first single sin, death reigned, or ruled over the
entire human race.
In contrast to that first single sin, the work of one
man, Jesus Christ, not only obliterated and canceled out the reign of that sin
over humanity, but also canceled out and obliterated the reign of all sins that
have accumulated a tremendous debt throughout human history.
By one sin, the threat of eternal condemnation hung
over the balance of humanity. By many individual sins, that secured the threat
of eternal condemnation over each individual.
But by the work of Christ on the cross, the threat of
eternal condemnation is removed for those who receive the free gift of grace.
Jesus Christ did the work of salvation, and offered it
freely to anyone who believes in Him.
Even though the gift of salvation is free, that does
not mean that people are without responsibilities and obligations in life to
support and promote the gospel and doctrine of Christ.
There are many results of salvation.
One of which, is the cancellation of the reign of
death over ones life.
With the threat of eternal condemnation and death
removed, then we as believers in Christ now possess the reign of life with Him.
The word reign, refers to the authority and power and
sovereignty of a king. For us to have reign over life, means that we will have
the rule over life. And that simply means that death is permanently removed,
and permanently no longer a threat of any kind to the individual believer in
Christ.
The abundance of grace, is stated in contrast to the
destruction of eternal condemnation. For the abundance of grace refers to the
infinite blessings that are a part of eternal life, which is infinitely far
better than eternal condemnation.
The believer in Christ is infinitely better off than
the unbeliever. And though not mentioned in this verse, but we have mentioned
it elsewhere in the study, the mature believer, is infinitely better off than
the immature believer.
So, in salvation there is an abundance of blessing,
however in spiritual maturity there is a greater abundance of blessing.
Adams original sin set in motion a perpetuation of the
troubles in the universe that were begun by Satan’s original sin. The universe
groans as a result.
The abundance of grace resulting from the work of
Christ on the cross, paves the way for setting everything straight for each
individual believer. And though this universe will never be permanently
corrected, Gods plan calls for its removal and replacement with an even better
universe in the future.
We can only imagine, given what we think the Garden of
Eden must have been like, and given the geography of this world currently, and
given the blessings of grace being infinitely greater than the curse of Adams
original sin, then the next universe will most likely be infinitely better than
the current one. And that leaves the imagination open to all sorts of
possibilities as to what the next universe might consist of, or look like.
These
studies, are a part of the massive daily study web site at DailyBibeStudy.Org,
that is easily accessible, and are written, so that you can come to Christ if
you have not done so already, and therefore not be lost forever.
And
if you have already believed in Christ, then these studies are written so you
can learn and understand and grow in your spiritual life, so that you can come
to the full knowledge of Christ, so that you can fulfill your meaning and
purpose in life as God intended for you, and so you can qualify for a
phenomenal eternal reward which you will have forever.
To
ignore this opportunity to pursue a daily study means you will be incomplete,
unfulfilled and you will lose out, big time.
The
Daily Bible Study is online, making it possible as never before in all of human
history, to advance in ones relationship with God, through Christ, and to complete
yourself beyond your imagination.
But
you have to decide to make that commitment.
No one else can study for you.
You have to do that yourself.
