God's Grace for the Offense Romans 5:15

Paul the apostle told the Jews in Rome, “until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law”, and he added, “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.” In chapter five and verse fifteen of Romans, Paul shared about, “the grace of God, and the gift by grace” where we read:

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.

The verse begins, “But not as the offense, so also is the free gift.” Paul began with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding, yes and moreover” “not as the offense” which means “not like a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness”, “so also” which means “even so and indeed”“is the free gift” or “is the favor of divine grace, knowledge, holiness and virtue”. Paul compared how there was a difference between the way “violation” of God's law entered and the way “divine grace” came to people.

The verse continues, “For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, ...” Paul added the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “if through the offenses” or “whether by way and means of the lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness” “of one” which means “of one person” “many be dead” or “a large number of people perished by means of something”, “much more” or “to a greater degree” “the grace” which means “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness and unmerited favor” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. God's “grace” supersedes the “lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness” by “Adam” which caused “death”.

Finally the verse says, “... which is by one man, Jesus Christ, has abounded unto many.” Paul ended the verse with the words, “which is by one man” or “that is through and by means of one male person” “Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “Christ” which refers to “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”, “has abounded” or “has exceeded and overflowed” “unto many” which means “to a large group of people”. “Jesus Christ” was the means of “God's grace” being poured out upon all people.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how “God's grace” through Jesus superseded the “offense” which was brought upon mankind through “Adam”. When Jesus paid the price of “death” for the sins of all the world, God poured out His “grace” upon everyone who “believes and trusts” in Him. In other words, God desired to have a relationship with people even though they violated His “law”, and when Jesus died, He demonstrated His “abounding grace” toward everyone.

Next time Paul shares, “not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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