Filed under: Sermon Interaction
Read Romans 5:12-21
1. (v.12) Why the “therefore” in v.12? What is the link to the previous passage
2. (v.12) What do you learn about the relationship of sin and death in this one verse?
3. Read the following note.
The verb in v.12 “because all sinned” is an “aorist” tense. A Greek aorist tense is a past perfect even more definite and strong than our English perfect tense. The aorist always points to a single past action. It says that the whole race sinned in one single past action. To use a large collective noun “all” with such a specific verb tense is so awkward that it must be deliberate. If Paul meant “all sinned continually and individually” he would have used the present or the imperfect tense. One author put it this way: “if we are to give the aorist tense its full value [here], and in this argument we must do so, the more precise meaning will be that sin and death entered into the world because all men were guilty of one act of sin.” (William Barclay, Expository Times, LXX (1958-59), p. 192.
How does v.13-14 demonstrate that all die not because they sinned like Adam, but in Adam?
4. (v.12-14) Why is this teaching so repugnant to modern people and especially those in the West? Offer and discuss analogies that make it more understandable.
5. What is the similarity between Adam and Christ of which Paul speaks in v.14?
6. What are the dissimilarities between Adam and Christ that Paul mentions in v.15-21?
7. “This passage teaches us that, if Christ is our representative, whatever is true of him in God’s eyes is true of us” Do you agree with this statement? If it is true, how would it make a difference to your practical daily life?
8. How are you actively partnering with God to let people know about the Good News of the Gospel?
What kinds of things hold you back from freely sharing this message with more people?
After reading 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, pray for each other regarding your role as ambassadors, representatives of Christ.
Thanks to Timothy Keller for this study guide in Romans.
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