Romans 5:18-19 - Homilies By T.f. Lockyer

The two antitheses.

The equal solidarity with Christ as with Adam reaffirmed, from the implication of Romans 5:12-14 , in the strength of the arguments of Romans 5:15-17 . Affirmed in two antitheses, the one pointing in either case more to historical events, the other to moral causes.

I. THE HISTORICAL ANTITHESIS .

1. One trespass unto condemnation—the condemnation that is marked by death.

2. One act of righteousness unto justification—the justification that brings life.

II. THE MORAL ANTITHESIS .

1. One man's disobedience making the many sinners: it being imputed to them for sin. The sinfulness of perverted will also bound up in the same sad heritage.

2. One Man's obedience—obedience "unto death" ( Philippians 2:8 )—making the many righteous: it being imputed to them for righteousness. The power of a holy will also involved in the restored heritage.

We see here the immense importance of moral acts; the immense influence also of moral factors. Never to be repeated on such a scale: but not on a lesser scale? "If one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it"—T.F.L.