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Romans 5 – Adam Failed. Christ Fulfilled.

Study Guide •
• April 14, 2025

Day 5 – Romans 5

[1] Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [2] Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, [4] and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, [5] and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

[6] For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—[8] but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. [10] For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. [11] More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

[12] Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—[13] for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. [14] Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

[15] But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. [16] And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. [17] For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

[18] Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. [19] For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. [20] Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, [21] so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Download Romans 1-7 Bible study

What’s The Point?

Any time you study Scripture it is wise to take note if words are repeated. Authors often use repetition to make a point or draw our attention towards something. In Romans 5 Paul uses the word “through” twelve times in just twenty-one verses. We see that good things are given us through Christ, and death came into the world through sin.

We will experience drastically different outcomes if we live in Christ or in sin. Through sin we get death (v. 12, 15) and condemnation (v. 18). Through Christ we receive peace with God (v. 1), access to grace (v. 2), rejoicing (v. 11), abundance of grace (v. 17), righteousness (v. 17), and eternal life (v. 21). All of us were born into sin, into a life that only leads to death and eternal condemnation. Christ is the only way out from under that burden of judgement.

Verses 1-5 are so practical for the believer. We have been looking at a lot of doctrine, but here Paul shows us that our knowledge of God should actually affect the way we live. Our sins have been paid for and our guilt forgiven, and God has given us a way to live in victory over sin and death. Not only do “we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (v. 2); we also “rejoice in our sufferings” (v. 3). How can this be? What does this mean?

We must let the Word of God take root in our hearts so that it changes how we think, feel, and act. Anyone can rejoice in hope. What does it take to rejoice in suffering? It takes knowing Christ! Knowing that he suffered, died, and rose, so that we might also die to our sin and be gloriously resurrected with him! Our suffering will eventually lead to hope because Christ has already conquered everything we could ever come against.

Lastly, let’s look quickly at the comparison of Adam and Christ (this would be an awesome place to do some extra studying if you are interested).

Adam was guilty of sin, and in him we also are guilty of sin (Genesis 3:7-8); Christ was not guilty of any sin, and in him our guilt is removed (Romans 8:33). Adam’s sin brought the curse (Genesis 3:17); Christ became the curse for us to redeem us (Galatians 3:13). Adam’s sin separated him from God (Genesis 3:23-24); Christ’s actions reunited us with the Father, never to be separated again (Romans 8:38-39). In Adam we all die (Romans 5:12); in Christ there is eternal life (Romans 5:21).

Scripture Memorization

Romans 5:1

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 5:6

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me keep my eyes on you. So easily, my mind, my eyes, and my heart drift and long for the things of this world. Help me know that they will never satisfy, and you are always more than enough. When I go through suffering, teach me. I want to know you more fully; I want to see you more clearly; I long to experience the joy that is only found in Christ. Please, Lord Jesus, overthrow all of my fleshly desires with a longing for you and a passion for your name.

Reflection

  1. If you are suffering, rejoice in the hope you have in Christ. If you aren’t suffering, rejoice in the hope you have in Christ. What areas in your life do you need to submit to the Lord and live out the hope we have in Christ?
  2. Romans is doctrinally rich (there is a lot of beautiful truth in it). Spend some time reflecting on the truths from this passage and thanking the Lord for who he is and what he has done.
  3. Are you living in the lineage of the first Adam or the second Adam? Read over the text again and ask the Lord to show you how to live according to Christ’s victory not Adam’s sin.

Discussion Questions

  1. In what ways are Jesus and Adam similar? In what ways are they different? List the ways that Jesus redeems Adam’s failures.
  2. What amazes you most about this passage? Examples: Christ dying for us while we were still his enemies. The hope we have in Christ. Christ’s blood paying the penalty for our sin and satisfying God’s wrath.
  3. Discuss what sufferings you have gone through or are going through. How can you hope in Christ during these seasons? What does it actually look like to put your hope in Christ everyday?
  4. Share any stories you know of faithful believers who have lived out hope in Christ, even in the midst of suffering.

If you have any questions feel free to reach out: harry@swoutfitters.com. All of the Scripture referenced in this study is from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted.

• April 14, 2025

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Apr 14,
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Romans 6:1-19 – Dead To Sin, Alive To Christ

Study Guide •

What’s The Point? Romans 6 starts with a logical question. If grace increases as sin increases (Romans 5:20-21), should we just keep sinning and getting more grace? Then Paul answers …

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Romans 4:1-15 – Faith > Works

Study Guide •

What’s The Point? We are looking at these larger passages of Scripture because Paul is making a case for the righteousness of believers from the Old Testament Scriptures. Side note: …

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