The abounding life.
It is evident that all are condemned, because death reigns; and it is proved that the condemnation of all is through the sin of one, because even where no express law is, there is death. But we have hope in Christ. Is our hope valid? Does the justification through Christ reach over as wide a range as the condemnation through Adam? And is the consequent life to prevail coextensively with the death? The argument here is to prove the certainty of each coextension.
I. AN ABOUNDING GRACE.
1. The originating cause of the condemnation was the
2. The originating cause of the justification is the
II. AN INDIVIDUAL APPROPRIATION OF THE ABOUNDING GRACE,
1. The participation in the sentence of condemnation was passive on the part of the many, for the sin of one—the unchoosing heirs of a sad inheritance.
2. The participation in the decree of life is active on the part of many, for the sacrifice of the One—they "receive" the grace of righteousness, laying hold of it by the voluntary activity of faith.
Infinite love is the fount of our life; and Jesus Christ, a Man, is he in whom all fulness dwells. The certainty is irrefragable. Do we make it ours? "As many as received him" (John 1:12).—T.F.L.
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.
The economy of law.
A return to the mention of the Mosaic Law, and its part in the great economy of the world's history. Its immediate, remoter, and ultimate effects.
I. IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
1. A side-economy: among one people, for disciplinary purposes.
2. "That the trespass might abound," i.e. that men might be compelled to the consciousness of that which wrought in them unconsciously. Working thus two-foldly—as revelation, and as repression. In the latter way, obviously to the intensifying of the consciousness of sin, as when a torrent is dammed. The former has an analogue in the growing knowledge of the Christian life, and the increased arduousness of Christian effort which is consequent upon it. So the moral law, the ceremonial, the prophets, and John Baptist. The climax of its effect towards sin in the crucifixion of Christ, in which man's wickedness, driven to desperation by the holy law of the life of Christ, showed its utmost evil. Truly, "the Law came in, that the trespass might abound."
II. REMOTER EFFECT. "Grace did abound more exceedingly."
1. The very economy of law was an economy of mercy, in all its parts: so the "This do, and live," which in some sense was verified even to their imperfect doings; and so the double significance of their sacrifices, revealing indeed their guilt, but prophetic of expiation.
2. The climax of sin, wrought through the Law, was a climax of grace: the death of him who must die to take away sin. "More exceedingly?" Ah, yes!
III. ULTIMATE EFFECT. Extension of effects, to all the world: and they? A contrast once again.
1. "Sin reigned in death"—the dread sign of its sovereignty. Seen everywhere—the dark sign-manual stamped on all the world.
2. "That even so might grace reign," etc.
This, then, the paean which shall resound through all the ages—"Death is swallowed up in victory!" Shall we have part in that immortal song?—T.F.L.
HOMILIES BY S.R. ALDRIDGE