What does Romans 5: 21 mean?
Introduction. I especially appreciate questions which call for an exegeses of a verse. The verse reads, "That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."
A look at the context. When considering a given verse, it is imperative that we also consider the context. The context concerns what was lost because of Adam and what is gain by Christ. Sin and death entered by Adam (vs. 12). Sin and death affect all men "for that all have sinned, " Paul explained (not the arbitrary transmission of the sin of Adam). Grace came through the one man Jesus (vss. 15, 17). Many were made sinners because of Adam (vs. 19). Many, to the converse, are made righteous by the obedience of Christ (Ibid.).
A closer look at Romans 5: 21. There are two matters in contrast: sin reigning unto death and grace reigning through righteousness. Sin's reign is connected with Adam and the reign of grace is associated with Christ. A key word in our verse is "righteousness." "Righteousness" is important because grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life. Some view "righteousness" (the state of being right) as Christ's personal righteousness. Hence, the teaching that men are saved directly and only by Jesus' holy life. To be consistent, those who so understand righteousness in verse 21 ought to say the same regarding verse 19 (some do). The same way men are made sinners by Adam, men are made righteous by Christ. The truth is each man becomes a sinner when he sins (following Adam's example, vs. 12), and each man becomes righteous when he follows Christ's example (see Ps. 119: 172, Phil. 2: 5-8).
Conclusion. The state of disobedience precludes righteousness and eternal life. It is only in righteousness (doing right) that grace reigns.
A look at the context. When considering a given verse, it is imperative that we also consider the context. The context concerns what was lost because of Adam and what is gain by Christ. Sin and death entered by Adam (vs. 12). Sin and death affect all men "for that all have sinned, " Paul explained (not the arbitrary transmission of the sin of Adam). Grace came through the one man Jesus (vss. 15, 17). Many were made sinners because of Adam (vs. 19). Many, to the converse, are made righteous by the obedience of Christ (Ibid.).
A closer look at Romans 5: 21. There are two matters in contrast: sin reigning unto death and grace reigning through righteousness. Sin's reign is connected with Adam and the reign of grace is associated with Christ. A key word in our verse is "righteousness." "Righteousness" is important because grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life. Some view "righteousness" (the state of being right) as Christ's personal righteousness. Hence, the teaching that men are saved directly and only by Jesus' holy life. To be consistent, those who so understand righteousness in verse 21 ought to say the same regarding verse 19 (some do). The same way men are made sinners by Adam, men are made righteous by Christ. The truth is each man becomes a sinner when he sins (following Adam's example, vs. 12), and each man becomes righteous when he follows Christ's example (see Ps. 119: 172, Phil. 2: 5-8).
Conclusion. The state of disobedience precludes righteousness and eternal life. It is only in righteousness (doing right) that grace reigns.