THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Rom 5:13-17 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

A parenthetical expression is a statement that contains qualifying information or further explanation of a preceding phrase or sentence. Such is the parenthesis-enclosed lesson text, in that it explains the teaching found in the preceding verse which reads, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned (Rom. 5:12). The event referred to in this verse is found in Genesis 3:6: And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.Occurring in the Garden of Eden, this was a direct violation, by Adam and Eve, of God's commandment found in the preceding verse 3, But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

In the first verse of the lesson text, found in this parenthetical expression, sin is defined as the disobedience of God's law. God created all mankind and gave them laws to govern their conduct of life. As their Creator, He had the authority to do so. Had He not given the law restricting eating of the fruit of the tree in Eden, there would have been no sin. Yet this was one of God's laws, and it was violated. Thus, sin entered into the world, and, death was its consequence. Man was created from the dust of the earth, and, with death, the physical body would decay and return to the dust from which it was made (See Gen. 2:7 & 3:19b). The sin of Adam and Eve brought physical death into the world. Even though no one has committed the same sin, as did Adam and Eve, death came into the world and has reigned from Adam to Moses (Vs. 14). Sinfulness has continued ever since, and will continue to be mankind's lot for eternity.

But thanks be to our Creator, our merciful God in heaven, mankind is not doomed to eternal death. By one, Adam, death came into the world, and also by one, Jesus Christ, the gift of eternal life is offered to all mankind. Notice how Paul made the comparison of Adam to Jesus in his letter to the church at Corinth. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Cor. 15:20-22). Jesus confessed to the Samaritan women He met at Jacob's well, that He was that Gift (John 4:10). The Giver is God. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16-17). Also, see Romans 6:23, which says, for the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The kingdom of heaven was prepared for mankind from the beginning of the world (Matt. 25:34). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God's gift through which mankind is able to find the righteousness necessary to inherit, through God's grace, this heavenly home for eternity. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 6:23). To the church at Philippi, Paul wrote that the righteousness leading to eternal life cannot be attained on one's own. Rather it is the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know Him (Jesus Christ), and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead (Phil. 3:9-11). Only in the body of Christ, His church, is found The Gift of Righteousness!