Adam and Christ, Twelve Contrasts between

Twelve Contrasts between Adam and Christ

1.     Adam was head of the old creation (Genesis 1:26); Christ is head of the new creation (2 Cor. 5:17-18; Ephes. 2:10).

2.     Adam sinned (Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:6; Romans 5:12-21); Christ did not (1 Peter 2:22).

3.     Adam by one sin made many sinners (Romans 5:15); Christ by the act of obedience made many righteous (Romans 5:19; 2 Cor. 5:21; Hebrews 10:10-14; 1 Peter 2:24).

4.     Adam was made a living soul; Christ was made a quickening Spirit (1 Cor. 15:45).

5.     Adam was of the earth; Christ was the Lord from heaven (1 Cor. 15:47).

6.     Adam brought death (Romans 5:12,17; 1 Cor. 15:21); Christ brings life (Romans 5:17-18; John 10:10; 1 Cor. 15:21-22).

7.     Adam passed a sinful nature to his offspring (Romans 5:12,19; Ephes. 2:3; Psalm 51:5); Christ imparts a sinless nature (Romans 5:19; 2 Cor. 5:17-18; 2 Peter 1:4).

8.     Adam brought condemnation (Romans 5:16-18); Christ justifies (Romans 5:18; Romans 3:24; Romans 4:25).

9.     Adam lost the grace or favor of God (Romans 5:15; Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:6-24); Christ restored grace to people (Romans 5:15-17; Romans 3:24; John 1:17).

10.   Adam offended God (Romans 5:15,17-18; Genesis 3:6,17-24); Christ pleased God (Romans 5:18; Matthew 3:17; Matthew 7:5; 2 Peter 1:17).

11.   Death reigned through Adam (Romans 5:12,14,17); life reigns through Christ (Romans 5:17-18,21; John 3:16; John 10:10).

12.   Adam caused sin to abound (Romans 5:20); Christ causes grace to abound (Romans 5:20).

The parallel does not hold true in every detail, for the free gift exceeds the consequences of sin (Romans 5:15,17,20).

Romans 5:19

Through Adam's sin, a sentence of death-without a promise of resurrection-passed upon all men; so, by the obedience of Christ taking man's place, the sentence was completely cancelled and original dominion restored.  One is constituted a sinner through Adam, not by his personal sins; so one is constituted righteous through Christ, not by his personal acts of righteousness.

The obedience unto death (Phil. 2:8).  This was the righteous act of Romans 5:18.