The Concept in Capsule Form (3:21-31)

•The place of faith (vv21-23).
•The place of grace (vv24-26).
–Justified freely in v24 (from dikaios, a legal term).
–Redeemed in v24 (bought back from the slavery of sin -- 1 Peter 1:18-19).
–Based on God’s sacrifice of atonement
•(at-one-ment - being at one with God).

The Place of Law (vv27-31)

•Not saved by law keeping (performance).
•Law is upheld in faith system (verse 31)
–Its original intent of leading to Christ and the New Covenant is accomplished.
–Its design to convict of sin is also done.
–It is now used as a proper response to faith.

Law and Faith

•Can be used as instrument to express trust in self or in God.
•If use it wrongly, sinless perfection demanded (Galatians 3:6-12).
•If used correctly, humility and dependence on God is produced.
•We are not under law (Romans 6:14), but we are under law (1 Corinthians 9:21). (not as a means of earning salvation, but of expressing true faith)

Abraham Saved By Faith (Romans 4)

•Justified by faith, not works (vv1-8).
–Works of faith and works of law definitions.
–James 2:21-24 and Genesis 15:6.
•Justification and sanctification difference? (See 1 Corinthians 6:11.)
•Who is the person in Romans 4:8? (1 John 1:5-10; Romans 8:1; James 1:13-15).

When Was Abraham Justified? (verses 9-15)

•We don’t really know for sure -- he is introduced as a faithful follower of God (Hebrews 11:8; Acts 7:2-4).
•Abraham clearly was justified long before he was circumcised - thus, he was not justified by virtue of being a Jew and not by virtue of law-keeping.
•Original justification is not the issue here.

Abraham is the Ultimate Example (vv16-25)

•He was to be father of the physically circumcised and spiritually circumcised.
•He faced the facts and then faithed the facts!
–Faith for the disciple is not realism, nor is it simply the worldly quality of optimism.
–It is idealism - the childlike (Matthew 18:3) decision to believe that our future really is as bright as the promises of God!

Grace/Faith Salvation Demanded a Cross (Romans 5)

•The results of our justification (vv1-2).
•The growth in justification (vv3-5).
–Compare with James 1:2-4.
–Compare with Hebrews 12:4-15.
–Compare with Jesus in Hebrews 5:7-10.
•The basis of our justification (vv6-11).
–The death of Jesus for the ungodly.
–The life of Jesus for the reconciled.

The Power that Brought Justification (vv12-21)

•Original Sin Concept -- the idea that babies are born guilty of Adam’s sin.
•Original Choice Concept -- the idea that Adam introduced sin into the world, Jesus righteousness, and we choose.
•Original Consequence Concept -- the idea that we die physically because of Adam and spiritually due to our sins.

Consequences of Other’s Sins

•Compare Exodus 20:4-6 with Ezekiel 18:20 (consequence & guilt difference)
•Hebrews 7:9-10 shows the concept.
•See 1 Corinthians 15:20-22.
•The Jews evidently had trouble admitting that one man (Christ) could affect all of mankind (but they forgot Adam).

Basic Interpretation of Text

•Involuntary participation (no choice)
–Verses 12-14: we die because of Adam.
–Verses 15-17 form a parenthetical explanation of how Christ more than offset what Adam did to mankind.
–Verses 18-19 pick back up the basic argument.
–See John 5:28-29.

Voluntary Participation (a Choice is Ours to Make)

•Verses 15-17: The “much more,” the “gift,” and “God’s abundant provision of grace” refer to spiritual salvation which must be personally accepted.
•Verses 20-21: The “increased” sin refers to our own sins which bring spiritual death (but can be forgiven).

Other “Born in Sin” Proof-texts

•Psalm 51:5: the context points in the opposite direction.
•See Psalm 22:9; Psalm 58:3; Psalm 71:6 for other similar passages using hyperbole (overstatement to emphasize a point -- man’s sinful choices in this case)