This second half of chapter 5 is so strange to us. We Americans especially tend to think of ourselves as individuals ONLY. Other corners of the world and other eras were much more comfortable with the notion of corporate solidarity, and even corporate personality. The writer to the Hebrews could argue that Levi had paid the tithe himself, since he was in the loins of Abraham when he tied to Melchizedek (Heb. 7:9-11). There is mystery in the notion that somehow, "in Adam's fall, we sinned all." We were "in" Adam at the time, and somehow are complicit in that first sin. The Bible seems to struggle to find a balance here, telling us that God does not hold future generations guilty for the sins of those who went before (read Ezekiel 18), yet still insisting that at the very least we have inherited from our first parents a fallen nature that inclines us toward evil. This indwelling sinful bent helps us, as someone put it, "like a bowling ball helps an Olympic swimmer."
Simply put, we all start off life "in Adam," born in his fallen image, inclined toward sin, and all of us confirming that inclination by our own willing choices. Paul's interest is to compare and contrast Adam with Christ. The good news is that we can transfer our lives to be "in Christ," and in doing so find something that is "much more" powerful. Paul's words seem to ramble quite a bit, but his recurring theme is this comparison...in Adam, much more in Christ...
If many died through the one trespass of the one man, Adam, Much More shall the grace of God and His free gift abound through the One, Jesus Christ.
One trespass led to judgment and on to condemnation...
Many trespasses led (in time, at least, not causally) the free gift and justification.
One man's trespass, through that one man, death came to reign.
Much More through the man Jesus Christ will those who receive abundant grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life.
One man's trespass led to condemnation for all men;
One man's act of righteousness led to acquittal and life for all men (some see here a hint of universalism, but recall just before this there was a reference to "those who receive" this grace).
Through one man's disobedience many were made sinners;
Through one man's act of righteousness (on the cross?), many are made righteous.
C.E.B. Cranfield comments, "That one single misdeed should be answered by judgment, this is perfectly understandable: that the accumulated sins and guilt of all the ages should be answered by God’s free gift, this is the miracle of miracles, utterly beyond human comprehension."
Paul says that the law came in (literally, came on stage alongside) so that sin would increase (I assume, by pointing it out). But where sin abounded, grace SUPER-abounded. That has got to be one of my favorite verses. God's grace is such that nothing and no one will ever be able to surpass it. If you ever think your sin is such that God cannot cleanse it, you are paying yourself a compliment, that you think you are greater than God. God's grace can overtrump any situation, any mess, any stain, any guilt.
It is one thing to wreck a car; it takes months to restore it. It is the work of a moment, perhaps, to wreck a life; the restoration of it is a greater act, a work of miracle and tribute to the glory, power, wisdom and mercy of the great Restorer.
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