Title: Sin and Grace
Commentary on Romans 36
sin and grace
Romans 5:20 - 21
INTRODUCTION: Paul continues to argue in a unique way, beginning in verse 12, in the manifestation of God's grace toward us through Jesus Christ. The transgression of one man Adam and the act of righteousness of the one man Jesus Christ are in stark contrast, yet at the same time, are in dramatic harmony. As Paul logically develops this fact, he focuses on the victory of righteousness and grace. Because this contrast is the never-ending explanation of God's righteousness and grace that Paul is trying to testify, he uses a method of repeating similar theories over and over again. And he concludes by saying this: “To attain eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1. Why the Law joined
Paul's theory of the law caused objection among many Jews. Not only that, but many Christians, even Jews, have incomprehensible questions about Paul's Law. First, in the logic of righteousness that Paul is talking about, a theory has been raised as to whether Paul's claim is not a law-free theory. For that reason, Paul not only said that the law could not give man righteousness, but also said that the law could not condemn man (Christian).
(1) It is said that the law was joined to increase crime. At first glance, we may find it difficult to understand the meaning of these words. Signed up means you're in. This subscription means what followed. Then what did the law follow? When the law entered into the law, it means that the law entered with sin. The law itself does not play a decisive role like sin or grace, but it reveals that it is a being that came in with sin. The law is not in itself a problem. However, it is the law that is related to sin, and the existence that is joined according to sin because of sin.
(2) The word “joined” means to say that there was a sin even before the law. “Sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not counted as sin without the law” (Romans 5:13). Here we find two stark facts about the relationship between the law and sin. It is the fact that the existence of sin was not newly created because of the existence of the law, but existed in the world even before the law.
(3) The phrase “that sins might increase” means that sin abounded through the law. The word more is ‘pleonazo’, which is used in the sense of abundance. Before the law, sin could not be recognized as a sin, so it was a sinless state even though there was a sin. Then, when the law came in, sins that had not yet been revealed suddenly burst out. A sin that was still hidden has been exposed. Such sins have become abundantly abundant in human society. Through the law, man came to realize his sin, and he was able to see that this world was a sinful world, and he came to know that sin was reigning in the human world. However, by this law, man does not gain righteousness, reduce sin, or turn away from sin, but because sin reigns, he falls into a deeper sin.
The law was righteous, good, and holy. Because it is God's standard of condemnation and the standard of judgment. The law unequivocally exposes human sins and condemns them. The function of the law is not to justify man, but to expose and condemn man's sin. Some will think that they are not as sinners as the Law condemns. However, the good deeds and righteous deeds of those who speak like this do not have their purpose in the glory of God. It is a sin worthy of condemnation in itself because it rests only on its own glory. And because they do not need salvation from God, they do not even accept Christ as their Savior. Failure to acknowledge the efficacy and merits of the blood of Christ shed for sinners is a sin that deserves more condemnation than any other sin. God's wrath will come upon them (John 3:18).
2. Abundant grace
Paul said, “Where sin abounded, grace abounded.” Because there was no transgression before the law, there was a sin, but that sin was not recognized as a sin. However, as the law intervened, sin was revealed through the law, and human sins abounded abundantly in this world. Now everyone has no excuse for their sins. By this law, all were known to be sinners, and it was revealed that no one was righteous. This is the intention of God who intervened in the law. Regarding this, it is said that “the Bible has imprisoned all things under sin” (Galatians 3:22).
(2) But it says that grace abounded more than sin. The word overflowing here means swallowing up sin. And it also signifies the state of covering sins and overflowing them. The reason and proof is that sin came from Adam, but grace came from Jesus Christ. The comparison of Adam and Christ is an interesting comparison, but in fact, it is not even comparable. Adam is the one who has earthly life, Christ is the one who has heavenly life, Adam is the creature, Christ is the Creator, Adam is the transgressor, Christ the Redeemer, Adam is the living Spirit, and Christ is the life-giving Spirit. (1 Corinthians 15:45). Not only that, but Christ possesses the fullness of grace that can overcome and destroy all sins. “It was full of grace and truth” (John 1:14; Ephesians 2:7). The rich and overflowing grace of the Lord has given sinners eternal life and has brought us from death to life (John 5:24).