By One that Sinned, So is the Gift Romans 5:16

Paul the apostle told the people in Rome, “until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 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.” He added, “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, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, has abounded unto many.” In chapter five and verse sixteen of Romans, Paul shared how, “not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift” where we read:

And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification.

The verse begins, “And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift:” Paul began with the words, “and not as it was by one” which means “not in the same way as it was by Adam” “that sinned” which means “who missed the mark, erred and was mistaken”, “so is the gift” which means “so is the bounty and benefaction”. Paul shared how there was a difference between the “gift” of God and the manner in which “sin” entered into the world.

The verse continues, “for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification.” Paul added the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “the judgment” or “the decree, decision, condemnation of wrong, and punishment” “was by one” which means “through one person” “to condemnation” or “toward a damnatory sentence”, “but” or “moreover and” “the free gift” which means “the gift of divine grace” “is of many offenses” which refers to “is of a large number of lapses or deviations from truth and uprightness” “unto justification” which means “toward that which has been deemed right so as to have force of law”. Paul shared how “sin” brought a “decree” of “damnatory sentence”, however, God's “gift of divine grace” following “many trespasses” made people “just-as-if-I'd” never sinned.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how wonderful and marvelous is God's “gift of grace”. Sin brought “condemnatory damnation” upon people, and Jesus Christ, “God's gift of grace”, brought “salvation” and “justification” to them. Those who believe in Jesus have their “sins” removed, cleansed and forgotten by God as though they had never sinned, and those who do not remain in their “condemnatory” state and shall suffer “the judgment” thereof. The choice is simple - “believe and trust” in Jesus Christ as “Savior and Lord” or remain in a “condemned” state. Let all who read these words choose wisely.

Next time Paul shares concerning, “one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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