Study Questions 9

Romans 5:12-21

1. How does Romans 5:12-21 relate to Paul’s thesis statement?

To answer this question, use the table on the next page. After
carefully reading Romans 5:12-21 place on this table descriptions from
the text that are suitable for each side.

Adam Christ

2. Study your chart. What does Paul mean in Romans 5:14 by his words
“who was a pattern [type] of the one to come?” On what basis can

1
 Paul draw this analogy? Explain the significance of this relationship
between Adam and Christ. What is a “type”? Briefly explain how
biblical “typology” functions.

3. Note the imbalanced comparative in 5:17.

Adam Christ

how much more will those who

receive God’s abundant provision
of grace and of the gift of
“For if, by the trespass of the righteousness reign in life
one man, death reigned through through the one man, Jesus
that one man, Christ.”

4. Explain the significance of this imbalance. Why does Paul not say “life
reigns through the one man, Jesus Christ” as he says in the first half,
“death reigned through that one man”? Carefully think about this and
record your explanation.