Comprehensive Doctrine of Justification (30)

[Romans 5:12-21]

We have been meditating on the Word of God under the overarching theme of "Comprehensive Doctrine of Justification."  We have already contemplated eight sub-themes under the theme of "Comprehensive Doctrine of Justification," and the eighth sub-theme is “The Result of Justification" (12 aspects) found in Romans 5:1-11.  Since last Wednesday's worship, we have begun meditating on the Word of God under the ninth sub-theme, "The Confirmation of Justification," focusing on Romans 5:12-21.

Today, we will delve into the second aspect of “The Confirmation of Justification,” focusing on Romans 5:13-14.  The passage states: "sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to one’s account when there is no law.  Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression.  He is a type of the Coming One." This passage supplements the preceding verse, Romans 5:12.  The Bible affirms that "sin was in the world before the law" (v. 13), signifying that sin existed in the world before God gave the law to Moses on Mount Sinai.  In other words, the Bible asserts that "sin" was present even before God's commandments were revealed to Moses.  During the period referred to as "from Adam to Moses" (v. 14), generally estimated to be about 2,500 years, there was no law, yet sin existed (v. 13).  However, in the absence of the law, "sin was not charged to one’s account" (v. 13).  It is essential to discern that the sin committed by Adam and the sin committed by people from Adam to Moses were distinct.  Adam's sin involved transgressing God's commandment: "do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" (Gen. 2:17).  On the other hand, the people from Adam to Moses did not violate God's commandments since there was no law (Rom. 5:13).  The absence of the law meant that they did not know what sin was according to God's commandments, and, consequently, they did not regard their actions as sinful (v. 13).  Nevertheless, despite this lack of awareness, the Bible states that "death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression" (v. 14).  Here, "death" refers to the "wages of sin" (6:23) or the penalty for sin (v. 23).  Both Adam, who sinned by transgressing God's commandment, and those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam's transgression (5:14) experienced "death."

At the same time, the Bible states, "Adam is a type of the Coming One" (v. 14).  The word "type" appears 16 times in the New Testament when translated from the original Greek ("τύπος").  However, it is not translated as "type" in all 16 occurrences.  For example, in Romans 6:17, it is translated as "form," and in John 20:25, it is translated as "imprint."  In Romans 5:14, the Bible says, "Adam is a type of the Coming One," and here, the term "Coming One" refers to Jesus Christ ["The first man Adam was the 'Coming One' who is the 'Second Man Jesus' (1 Cor. 15:47, Modern Korean Bible)"].  Similar to Adam being the representative of all humanity, Jesus Christ becomes the representative of believers.  However, the difference between Adam and Jesus Christ is that while Adam disobeyed God's commandment, Jesus Christ obeyed God's commandment to the point of death on the cross (Phil. 2:8). Furthermore, Adam's disobedience brought sin into the world, leading to death (Rom. 5:12).  In contrast, Jesus Christ's righteous actions rescue us from death and lead us to eternal life.  Therefore, by believing in Jesus Christ, we receive righteousness and ultimately attain eternal life (v. 21).  May we all believe in Jesus Christ, receive justification from God, and partake in the blessings of eternal life.