Romans 5:15

But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many.

Godet's opinion that this and the two following verses are "among the most difficult in the New Testament"[30] is surely justified; and the opinions of learned scholars as to the exact nature of the contrast between the two Adams intended by Paul are so diverse as merely to add to the confusion. As it stands in English, the first clause appears to mark a contrast between "a sad effect and a happy effect,"[31] or the contrast between "just recompense and free grace."[32] In the second clause, there is plainly a contrast of numbers, as pointed out by Tholuck,[33] that is, a contrast in quantity. An objection against the view that a contrast of quantity is intended is lodged in the fact that death through Adam was universal; how then could Paul's "much more" be applied to the consequences of Christ's achievement? The problem is resolved in this, that except for the success of Christ's earthly mission, the human family would long ago have terminated; and, therefore, it is most fitting to grant a greater quantity to the beneficial work of Christ than to the destructive work of Adam. Every man ever born on earth since Jesus Christ owes his physical existence, as well as his spiritual hope, to the Saviour; for if Christ had failed, there would no longer have existed any righteous basis whatever for the continuation of the race of people. Regarding the theoretical peccability of Christ, see my Commentary on Hebrews, p. 99.

[30] Ibid., p. 213.

[31] Ibid., p. 214.

[32] Ibid., p. 213.

[33] Tholuck, as quoted by F. Godet, op. cit., p. 213.