¹⁵ But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. ¹⁶ The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.

Unfair—that’s what some say about our having to experience the consequence of Adam’s sin, even though we did not sin like Adam: “I was not in the Garden; I did not disobey God’s direct command to not eat of the tree.” We were judged derivatively by being descendants of Adam. Concerning sin, the whole family of humanity from Adam on down suffers because of his representative and federal headship. We are under the judgment of death because we are part of his family, which in its entirety was placed under the judgment of death because of him.

However unfair as that may seem, the Creator of the universe has decreed this to be so. If we spent time beyond the scope of this writing, we would discover God is not unfair, for He made all of mankind in His image. And we have indeed sinned, regardless of the inherited judgment of death, and we have therefore ratified Adam’s rebellion against God, even though we didn’t sin in the exact same way. We are judged on two counts: 1) through Adam and 2) through our own sin (see vs. 16, “many transgressions”).

The good news is that God’s gift of grace (found in the person and work of Jesus Christ) abounds in the same way Adam’s sin abounded to all humans. The similarity is focused on the “one” versus the “many.” Stylistically, the “many” is not meant in contrast to “all,” but in contrast to the “one.” Adam, being the “one,” sinned, and therefore judgment arose to the “many,” which would certainly include all people. And the gift of God is by Jesus Christ, being “one,” and abounds to the “many.”

But the similarity ends there, because the gift of God is different from the condemnation of God. Arising from “many transgressions” comes justification, the grand theme of the book of Romans. This justification completely overrides the fallenness of humankind. Judgment is what we deserved, every one of us. But grace is what God extends to all. And not only extends, but abounds. God’s attitude toward us is overwhelmingly positive, desiring our justification and reconciliation with Him, restoring the relationship that was lost in the Garden. It is His supreme pleasure to give us, His Adamic family, His grace.

Lord, I am overwhelmed by Your graciousness in giving me the gift of Jesus Christ, through whom I am justified. My heart overflows with praise for You.