15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) (Romans 5:15-17 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Having noted the parity and resemblance between Christ and Adam in the foregoing verses, here, Apostle Paul observes the disparity and difference between them and that in several advantageous particulars:
1. He compares the sin of Adam with the obedience of Christ, and shows that the sin of one was not so pernicious as the obedience of the other was beneficial; Christ’s obedience being more powerful to justification and salvation than Adam’s sin was to death and condemnation: For if the transgression of Adam, who was but a mere man, was able to pull down death and wrath upon all his natural seed, then the obedience of Christ who is God as well as man, will be much more available to procure pardon and life to all his spiritual seed.
2. There is a further observable difference between Adam and Christ in respect of their person, in respect of their acts, and the extent of their acts. Thus Adam by one act of sin brought death, that is, the sentence of death upon the whole world (all mankind becoming subject to mortality for that one sin of his;) but it is many sins of many men, which Christ doth deliver from, in the free gift of our justification; absolving us, not only from that one fault, but from all other faults and offences whatsoever.
Learn hence, That the obedience of Christ extends itself not only to the pardon of original sin in Adam but to all personal and actual sins whatsoever.
3. The apostle shows the difference betwixt them two, that is, the first and second Adam, as in respect of the effects and consequences of their acts; if through one man, and by one offence of that man, the whole race of mankind became subject to death, then much more shall reign with him in glory.
From the whole, note, The infinite wisdom, transcendent grace, and rich mercy of God to a miserable world, in providing a salve as large as the sore, a remedy as extensive as the malady, a sovereign antidote in the blood of the second Adam, to expel the poison and malignity of the sin of the first Adam.
Oh, happy they! who having received from the first Adam corruption for corruption, have received from the second Adam grace for grace.