In this detailed exposition, delve into a crucial section of Romans chapter 5, emphasizing the importance for Christians to grasp the distinctions between key terms that are often muddled in translations. Highlight how words like “trespass” and “sin” are sometimes inconsistently rendered, leading to confusion. Scripture treats these as distinct concepts, as evidenced in Ephesians 2:1, which states, “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins.” These are two separate elements, not interchangeable.
To define sin biblically, refer to 1 John 3:4: “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” Lawlessness involves acting against God’s standards, not limited to the Mosaic Law. For believers today, who are not under that law but under grace, sin occurs when they violate the expectations of maturity in Christ. Importantly, “commit” means “to do,” indicating that sin is always an external action, not merely a thought. Trespasses, by contrast, occur in the mind—decisions to act contrary to God’s will, such as choosing to lie out of fear, before the act itself transpires.
James chapter 1, verses 13–15, illustrates this process. Temptation—solicitation to do wrong—arises not from God, who cannot be tempted by evil (here meaning actions lacking in character), but from one’s own desires. These desires draw a person out, like luring a fish from safety, and when conceived in the mind, result in a trespass. If acted upon, they give birth to sin. Conception (trespass) differs from birth (sin), and the former does not guarantee the latter.
This distinction is vital for understanding Romans 5:12 onward. Through one man’s sin, death entered the world and spread to all, not because all personally sinned, but due to that act. Even before the law, when sins were not imputed, death reigned (Romans 5:13–14), referring to physical death—separation of body from soul and spirit. The transgression (sin under law) brought this, as the command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was violated.
Contrast Adam and Eve: Eve was thoroughly deceived (1 Timothy 2:14; Genesis 3), transgressing in ignorance, while Adam, not deceived, knowingly trespassed and sinned. Humans are now born in the fallen likeness (Genesis 5:3), stripped of original glory (Genesis 3:7) and spiritually separated from God. This spiritual death—rational disconnection from God—renders spiritual truths foolish to the natural (soulish) man (1 Corinthians 2:14).
God’s response addresses both: a gracious gift (charisma) counters the trespass, restoring spiritual life (Romans 6:23: “For the wages of the sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”). The gift of righteousness deals with sin. Understanding these nuances prevents sin from manifesting and underscores God’s comprehensive redemption. The discussion will continue in the next session.
