WEEK 11

17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17, NLT)

In the second half of Romans 5, Paul explains the differences between Adam as representative of all mankind, and Jesus as representative of all those who believe in Him.

OPENING QUESTION

How does the prospect of death make you feel? Is death just a natural part of the cycle of life, originally intended by God? Or does it seem unnatural and not part of God’s design?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.  How did sin enter the world? Read and discuss Rom. 5:12. See also Gen. 1:31 and Gen. 2:15-17.

2.  What does Paul mean in Romans 5:17 when he says “death ruled over many”? In that same verse, Paul states that we “triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ”. Why does Jesus’ resurrection allow us to triumph over sin? See also Eph. 2:1-10 and 1 Cor. 15:21-26.

3.  Romans 5 verses 15 through 19 list several differences between Adam as mankind’s representative and Jesus as representative of those who believe in Him. Read and discuss these verses one-by-one. What difference is being highlighted in each verse?

4.  Read Romans 5:20. In this verse, “God’s law” refers to the Ten Commandments. Based on this verse, what is the purpose of the Ten Commandments?

REFLECTION

Paul indicates in Rom. 5:12 that death, having spread to all men as the result of Adam’s sin, was not originally part of God’s creation, but is instead the punishment for sin. Reflect upon how unnatural and saddening it feels when a loved one passes away. But reflect also upon God’s attitude toward death, calling it His enemy in 1 Cor. 15:26, and let it encourage you that He will one day destroy the enemy of death when He raises His children to be with Him forever, incorruptible and immortal (1 Cor. 15:53)!

APPLICATION

Rom. 5:20 says that where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. Though we often want to ignore or excuse our sin, the more we see just how sinful we truly are the more thankful we become for the grace God has shown us. Let this sink in, and be honest with yourself and with God, not excusing your sin, but instead being thankful that God has forgiven you with such amazing grace!

MEDITATION & MEMORIZATION

Using a translation of your choosing, memorize Romans 5:17, and meditate on the freedom from death that comes to those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ. Translations can be found online at www.biblegateway.com. Here are a few translations from which to choose:

NLT: For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many.
But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness,
for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

CEB: If death ruled because of one person’s failure,
those who receive the multiplied grace and the gift of righteousness will even more certainly rule in life through the one person Jesus Christ.

NASB: For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one,
much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness
will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

GNT: It is true that through the sin of one man death began to rule because of that one man.
But how much greater is the result of what was done by the one man, Jesus Christ!
All who receive God's abundant grace and are freely put right with him will rule in life through Christ.