Romans 5:18-21. We are in a passage where Paul explains about how what one person did can have such a big impact on humanity. The way he explains it is by using a comparison between the first Adam and the second Adam. Even in the parallel statements in vv. 15-17 comparing Adam and Christ, Christ is the superior one of the two. He returns to the comparison in vv. 18-19. Then in vv. 20-21 he will introduce the purpose of the law.

Here in Romans 5:15-17, Paul compares Adam and the powers of sin and death to the superior work and effect of Jesus Christ, the one in whom we have hope for victory and justification over and against the devastating effects of the fall because of Adam.

Why did He have to die? What is the significance of His death? Why is His death so central to the Christian faith that the most common symbol representing Christianity is the cross? The passage in Romans 5:6-11 before us will explain all of that for us.

Abraham: The Father of Us All - Romans 4:9-16 Just as Abraham took God’s promise to be true when He told him that he would have offspring in his old age (Gen 15:6), so David too believed God that his sins would be forgiven when he confessed them (Ps 32:1, 2). Paul used Ps 32:1, 2 to interpret Gen 15:6, which is, to be counted righteous means that our sins are forgiven. That is the greatest blessing one can ever receive.

Abraham’s Justification by Faith Alone - Romans 4:1-8 Justification by faith alone also means that everyone, both Jews and Gentiles are justified the same way, by their faith.