Some Key Words (8/10/00)

Transgression (paraptoma [3900]):

fault, purposely stepping over, missing that which is right - actively or passively; to fall beside or near, a lapse from the truth, a sin, a misdeed; a side slip, error

Increase (pleonazo [4121]):

to superabound, to exist in abundance, to increase or be augmented, to make to increase; to do, make, or be more, to increase

Abounded all the more (huperperisseuo [5248]):

to abound beyond measure, to abound exceedingly, to overflow, to enjoy abundantly; to superabound

Righteousness (dikaiosune [1343]):

the essence of one who is just or righteous, the fulfilling of the claims God has on the believer, conformity with the claims of higher authority, God's uprightness, God's standard, God's right upon man; the state of one who is as he ought to be, the condition acceptable to God; equity of character or act, Christian justification

Eternal (alonios [166]):

constant, abiding, eternal, the life which is God's and unaffected by time, non-transitory, having no beginning or end, endless, forever; that which has always been and always will be, without beginning, without end, ceaseless, everlasting

Continue (epimeno [1961]):

to stay at, to tarry still, still to abide, to remain, to persevere, continue; to stay over, to remain, persevere

Sin (hamartia [266]):

sin, missing the true end and scope of our lives, an offense in relation to God - emphasizing the guilt; to be without a share in, to miss the mark, to be mistaken, to wander from the path of uprightness, to do wrong, to violate God's law, that which is done wrong, an offense; a sin

Grace (charis [5485]):

joy, favor, acceptance, kindness granted, a favor done without expectation of return; that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, good will, loving-kindness, favor, the merciful kindness of God, the spiritual condition of one governed by divine grace; graciousness of manner or act

 

Paraphrase: (8/9/00)

20 The understanding brought by the Law made our breaking of that law more clear; but with the increase of our sins came a greater increase of God's grace, 21 so that even as death had ruled and directed us towards death, grace could rule through righteousness and direct us towards the eternal life that comes through Christ Jesus our Lord. 6:1 What are we to make of this? Shall we continue in our sins so that more grace can be shown? 2 Absolutely not! How could we who are dead to sin continue to live in it?

Key Verse: (8/10/00)

5:21 - Sin rules by and leads to death. God's grace rules by and leads to righteousness and life. Jesus is the means.

People Mentioned: (8/10/00)

N/A

Some Parallel Verses (8/10/00)

5:20

Ro 3:20 - The Law causes us to really understand sin. Ro 7:7 - The Law is not sin, but without it, sin is not understood. Gal 3:19 - The Law came because of our transgressions, to provide a mediator until Christ should come. 1Ti 1:14 - God's grace, as was shown in Christ, where we saw faith and love, was [and is] more than abundant.

5:21

Jn 1:17 - Moses mediated the Law [by which we understood our sinfulness]. Jesus mediated grace and truth [by which we understood God's love and mercy].

6:1

Ro 3:8 - There is no suggestion that we ought to act in evil fashion so that God's goodness will be seen more.

6:2

Ro 7:4-6 - In Christ we were made dead to the Law - which sensitized us to sin's pull, so that we could serve God in newness of spirit. Gal 2:19 - We die to the Law through the Law, so that we can instead live to God. Col 2:20 - In Christ we have died to the principalities ruling the world, and are freed from over-binding decrees of man. Col 3:3 - Having died to the world, our real life is hidden in Christ Jesus. 1Pe 2:24 - It is for this reason that Christ bore our sins on the cross - so that we could die to sin and live to righteousness, healed by his wounds.

 

New Thoughts (8/10/00)

In spite of the fact that I know where Paul is going with this, I find I am really bothered by my weakness in the face of sin, by the ease with which I find I can slip into old failures. The enemy of my soul knows my weak spots all too well, and is masterful in bringing situations about to probe that weak spot. And my Lord allows this, that I might learn, that I might remember to put on the armor He has provided. He allows the trials to come that He might prove me. Oh Lord, have I learned the lesson of the Law yet? Have I truly understood that I can't possibly meet its measure without You? I know that I know it. I know that I understand it. But do I live it? Not that far back in this study, You reminded me of Your victory in my life, and I could walk in that for a time, and remind myself in the face of temptation that the victory had already been had. But I must remind myself of that daily. I must be reminded of the insidious and progressive nature of sin daily. I must be reminded of my weakness daily, lest I become overconfident, or worse yet, under caring in the face of temptation. As I stand in the face of temptation, I must remember (God help me to remember) that I stand coram deo - before Your face. And surely as You look on, You pray that I will decide aright, that I will withstand the trial, that I will persevere. God, how I long to be ready for the storm.