This passage deals with the universal problem of sin. Sin is and has been the curse of all mankind. However, because of the offer of eternal life through Jesus Christ, sin has a solution. As this passage says, “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”

What Does It Say?

1. Sin is not ___________ when there is no law.
2. Those who died from Adam to Moses had not sinned after the ______________ of Adam’s ______________.
3. By the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of _______.
4. The law entered that the __________ might abound.
5. Grace reigns through ___________ unto eternal life.

What Does It Mean?

1. Romans 5:12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
   See All... is a key doctrinal verse in the Bible. Who is the one man by whom sin entered into the world? How does this pass death to all men?
2. The first part of Romans 5:15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
   See All... states, “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift.” Paul is contrasting the negative influence of the “offence” (referring to the bringing of sin into the world by Adam) to the positive influence of the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. In effect, the passage is saying that in the same way that many bad things happened because of the offence (“not as the offence”), so many good things happen because of the free gift. Romans 5:16And 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 offences unto justification.
   See All... begins with a similar phrase. Please explain the meaning of: “And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift.”
3. Romans 5:17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
   See All... refers to the “gift of righteousness.” Compare this with 2 Corinthians 5:21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
   See All... and Philippians 3:9Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.
   See All.... What is the meaning of the gift of righteousness?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. Three times in this passage, salvation is referred to as the “free gift” (Romans 5:15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
   See All..., 16, 18). These are the only verses in the Bible that refer to salvation as a free gift. What does this mean? Some people have described salvation by saying that though it was not cheap, it is free. Is this a true statement? How would you explain it?
2. The last part of Romans 5:20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
   See All... states, “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” How would you explain this statement? Give some examples of this. Your examples can be from the Bible, from history, from the lives of those you know, or from your own life.

Suggested Memory Verses

Romans 5:12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
See All..., 19, 20