Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Romans 5:15 - 5:15

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Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Romans 5:15 - 5:15


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15. τὸ χάρισμα here is the gift of justification offered in Christ; in range this has as large an effect as the fall; but in quality it is far greater, as it leads to life, the other to death. This conclusion is not fully stated till Rom 5:17.

εἰ γάρ τῷ τοῦ ἑνὸς κ.τ.λ., the fall of one man led to the death of all (note, not to the sin). οἱ πολλοὶ. denominate πάντες in contrast to ὁ εἶς; cf. Lft, ad loc[136] There are two steps omitted here; Adam’s fall lead to his death, death thus introduced spread because all sinned. So, ultimately, it was owing to one man’s sin that the many died. Similarly, in the parallel clause, the individual condition of faith and the actual result (ζωὴ) are omitted.

[136] ad loc. ad locum

ἡ χάρις τοῦ θεοῦ, the favour of GOD. ἡ δωρεὰ, His generous giving, emphasises χάρις; and then this χάρις is further described as the favour of the Ascended Lord, the one Man (cf. 2Co 13:14; 2Co 8:9), to bring out the parallel. The words express the attitude of GOD to sinning man—His love in all its fulness; not the effect of that love.

ἐπερίσσευσεν, ‘superabounded’—in its very nature as an act of infinite love, and, as will be shown presently, in its effects. But here the nature of the act alone is in question. If its effects were in question, the aorist would scarcely stand.

εἰς τοὺς πολλοὺς, with ἐπερίσσευσεν, abounded in fact, as shown in its effects; what those effects were is then expressed, generally in δώρημα, δικαίωμα specifically (17 f.) by ἐν ζωῇ βας., and both expressions united in (18) δικαίωσιν ζωῆς.