Romans 5:12 - 20

Hmmm. This one seems to go back and forth, if this, then that, because this because that...

As far as I can tell, Paul's pointing sin back to Adam and salvation back to Jesus, but there's still a reference to Jesus as the second Adam at the end of v 14 (Adam... a pattern of the things to come).

There seems to be quite a thrust on the significance of sin, and when we are considered guilty - somthing about no law.

Overwhelming this is the idea that all have sinned, and that through one ma we have all sinned, thus we are all tarnished.

Trumping that, but paralleling this (perhaps a reference to the second Adam) is the idea tha one righteous death pays for the sin of many.

One of those truths that's fundamental to our faith and is good to be reminded of. And it all fits tegether so well.

Romans 5:1-11

Suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character hope.
How does suffering produce perseverance?
Doesn’t suffering usually have the opposite effect?
Read in context of the parable of the sower.
The seed on rocky ground – no root, when trouble/suffering/persecution comes, it wilts.
Conclusion: We need a solid grounding. Strong roots.

Since we have been justified through his blood, how much more will we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if when we were God’s enemies we were reconciled to him through the death of his son, how much more having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

What’s the idea? Saving upon justification? Saved by life, more so than by death?
Is this just an emphasis of God’s grace?
Reconciled – “made right”?
Saved –“a place in heaven”?
So, death paid for the sin. Resurrection gives us the benefits.
Why do we have that last sentence? It sounds like there’s a second reconciliation on top of the payment for sin, and the saving. Is that right? It doesn’t make sense to me.
Perhaps the emphasis should be on our rejoicing in God. Because of the aforementioned reconciliation, we rejoice!
Conclusion: Christ’s death paid for our sin. Christ’s resurrection saves us. And we rejoice in God because of this.