Romans 5:21
That as sin hath
reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto
eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
1. “That as sin hath
reigned unto death…”
a. That [Strong: 2443 hina hin'-ah probably from the same
as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588); in
order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the
intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.]
b. as [Strong: 5618 hosper hoce'-per from 5613 and 4007;
just as, i.e. exactly like:--(even, like) as.]
c. sin [Strong: 266 hamartia ham-ar-tee'-ah from 264; a sin
(properly abstract):--offence, sin(-ful).]
d. [hath] reigned [Strong: 936 basileuo bas-il-yoo'-o from
935; to rule (literally or figuratively):--king, reign.]
e. unto [Strong: 1722 en en a primary preposition denoting
(fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication)
instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest
(intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by,
etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before,
between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to,
(here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X
outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on),
through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in).
Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs
of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a
separate (and different) preposition.]
f. death [Strong: 2288 thanatos than'-at-os from 2348;
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively):--X
deadly, (be...) death.]
1). Spiritual death and the law of sin and death reigned in the hearts of
men and women beginning at the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and
Eve sinned in the garden they died spiritually, and because they died
spiritually they eventually died physically.
a). Genesis 2:16, 17 And the Lord God commanded
the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat
of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
2). Spiritual death and physical death passed into all men and women
because of Adam’s sin.
a). Romans 5:12 Wherefore, 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:
3). A definite part of spiritual death that passed into all mankind is
the law of sin and death described in Romans 7. These verses describe the human
experience, every believer is familiar with the frustration. This is part of
the meaning of sin reigning unto death.
a). Romans 7:14-25 For we know that the law is spiritual:
but I am carnal, sold under sin.
7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not;
but what I hate, that do I.
7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it
is good.
7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good
thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I
find not.
7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not,
that I do.
7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin
that dwelleth in me.
7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with
me.
7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my
mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this
death?
7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I
myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
b). Paul then asks the obvious question and then answers it. Who shall
get me out of this mess? I thank God, through Jesus Christ.
2. “…even so might
grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
a. even [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary
particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also,
even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other
particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that,
then, therefore, when, yet.]
b. so [might] [Strong: 3779 houto hoo'-to, or (before a vowel
houtos hoo'-toce adverb from 3778; in this way (referring to what precedes or
follows):--after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that,
like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.]
c. grace [Strong: 5485 charis khar'-ece from 5463;
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal,
figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and
its reflection in the life; including gratitude):--acceptable, benefit, favour,
gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy).]
d. reign [Strong: 936 basileuo bas-il-yoo'-o from 935; to
rule (literally or figuratively):--king, reign.]
e. through [Strong: 1223 dia dee-ah' a primary preposition
denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local,
causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that),
briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of,
for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore,
with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.]
f. righteousness [Strong: 1343 dikaiosune dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay
from 1342; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian)
justification:--righteousness.]
g. unto [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or
into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or
(figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial
phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by,
concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, +
forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one
mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that,
therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to),
...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general
import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or
figuratively).]
h. eternal [Strong: 166 aionios ahee-o'-nee-os from 165;
perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well):--eternal, for
ever, everlasting, world (began).]
i. life [Strong: 2222 zoe dzo-ay' from 2198; life
(literally or figuratively):--life(-time).]
j. by [Strong: 1223 dia dee-ah' a primary preposition
denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local,
causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that),
briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of,
for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore,
with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.]
k. Jesus [Strong: 2424 Iesous ee-ay-sooce' of Hebrew origin
(3091); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other
Israelites:--Jesus.]
l. Christ [Strong: 5547 Christos khris-tos' from 5548;
anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.]
m. our [Strong: 2257 hemon hay-mone' genitive case plural
of 1473; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.]
n. Lord [Strong: 2962 kurios koo'-ree-os from kuros
(supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication,
Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.]
1). Grace reigns through righteousness. The grace, the empowerment to
overcome the law of sin and death comes to reign in us through righteousness.
We need to become righteousness minded and reject sin mindedness. We have been
given the righteousness of God
a). Romans 3:19-26 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it
saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all
the world may become guilty before God.
3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified
in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested,
being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto
all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus:
3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his
blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God;
3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be
just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
2). No where in the New Testament does the Bible address born
again believers as “sinners” or as many say “sinners saved by grace”.
a). Romans 1:7 To all that be in
Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from
God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
b). 1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the
church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus,
called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus
Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:
c). 2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an
apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the
church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
d). Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle
of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to
the faithful in Christ Jesus:
e). Philippians 1:1 Paul and
Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus
which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
f). Colossians 1:2 To the saints
and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and
peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3). Peter makes a clear distinction between the “righteous” and “the ungodly
and the sinner”.
a). 1 Peter 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the
ungodly and the sinner appear?
4). Is 1 John 1:8-10 true? Absolutely. But what is also true is that as
the born again believer grows in his relationship with God he will begin to
overcome temptations and be victorious over old sinful habits.
a). 1 John 1:8-10 If we say that
we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word
is not in us.
b). Notice that John says also what John says in verse 9. When we confess
our sins He, God, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from unrighteousness.
Praise God.
5). What about Paul’s statement in 1 Timothy 1:15 that he is the “chief”
of “sinners.” This is probably where the phrase “sinner saved by grace”
originated from, but here Paul is humbly reflecting on where he came from just
as we all should do. If looked at in the whole context Paul is referring to his
before and after his encounter with Jesus Christ.
a). 1 Timothy 1:12-16 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled
me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I
obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love
which is in Christ Jesus.
1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus
Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should
hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
6). In Romans 5 the wording in the Greek and in the English clearly
addresses the label of ‘sinner” as past tense. The contrast is between those
who are “yet sinners” and those who are “now justified”
a). Romans 5:8, 9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we
were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved
from wrath through him.
b). Most translations have the state of being a “sinner” in Romans 5:8 as
past tense. In Thayer’s Greek Dictionary he is more explicit in describing the
word “yet as: “of a thing which went on formerly, whereas now a
different state of things exists or has begun to exist.” He clearly means it as the state or condition of a sinner formerly
existed but no longer does.
c). 1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some
have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
6). Righteousness is part of our spiritual armor, it is our breastplate.
Don’t take it off.
a). Ephesians 6:13-17 Wherefore
take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the
evil day, and having done all, to stand.
6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having
on the breastplate of righteousness;
6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which
is the word of God.
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