Notes for February 27, 2011

Please read all of Romans 5

If you remember last week on the power and portion of Christ and how this differed with our human understanding and clear need for running to His love rather than focusing on abating God's wrath you will be ready for this week in the remaining portions of this chapter.

Please read verses 12 to 21 and answer the following questions:

Verse 12 - How did Sin enter the world?  what was the sin?  what is the consequence of sin?  How does this verse tie to Romans 3:23?  How would you explain this to those that are not saved?  What does the therefore refer to in verse 11?

Verse 13 - Why is 'to be sure' added (NIV) at the beginning here?  In the KJV it does not state this and in the Holman it says 'In fact'.  What is Paul saying by this?  Remember that Paul is speaking to the Jews in Rome (and gentiles but for now focus on what a Jew might be thinking here) - there was sin before the law?  The Law pointed out sin and Jews were focused only on the Law - just as Christ had a 'new' command and there is a 'new' testament Paul is expanding the WHOLE or 'new' definition of sin.  So before the law what what happened to sin?  Paul is also speaking to sin once you are free from the law - once you are saved.

Verse 14 - So what happened to people from Adam to Moses?  They died because there WAS sin - even when they didn't break a specific command - Sin is in our hearts and part of us.  What does he mean when Paul says "as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come?"  Or the prototype?

Verse 15 - Now we can bridge the curious statement at the end of 14.  What does the beginning of 15 mean when it says that the 'gift is not like the trespass'?  What is the overflow of Christ?

Verse 16 - what is being compared and/or separated in this verse?  Should we compare the two as he did in 15 or should we not?  What is Paul explaining - in simple terms - here?  What is the difference between condemnation and justification?

Verse 17 - Now he explains much - read this verse thoroughly - can you receive sin by asking for it or doing it or do you just have it?  Do you just have the gift of righteousness or do you have to receive it?  Who does the giving of each?

Verse 18 - Who is the justification for?  Why would this be big or not for Jews?  For Gentiles?  What about for those of us that are saved?  Who should not be justified?  Hitler?  Others?  Where is your heart on this?

Verse 19 - So what is the need for man when it comes to God?  Can we do it?

Verse 20 - What then was the purpose of the law?  What does it do in showing us what Jesus did?  Does it bring Glory to God?  How?

Verse 21 - What reigns?  Can both reign?  This is a very important question when we move into Chapter 6....