Sin and Grace: Contrasts in Federal Headship

Romans Chapter 5 continues to reveal “the fix” for sin and separation from God, as the Apostle Paul explained that problem in Romans 1:18–3:20. Beginning at Romans 3:21, the solution to the plight of man is introduced. From there through Romans 4, we learn of God’s chosen people being justified entirely by the work of God, an alien righteousness applied to them, manifest by one’s faith. Abraham was the prime example. In Chapter 5, in part, Paul’s intention was to contrast Adam and Christ as representative heads of respective bodies of people.

God’s assessment of those “in Adam” is not good. Helpless, hopeless, godless, haters of God, and enemies of God are just a few descriptive terms employed by Paul in his writings. Sin entered humanity and creation at the fall, recorded in Genesis 3. Sin passed from Adam, the first federal head, to all of humanity, his posterity (Rom 5:12–19). In Adam, all are sinners (Rom 3:23; 5:12). In Adam, all die by appointment (1 Cor 15:22; Heb 9:27); for the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23), and all are condemned (Jn 3:18).

It is the wrath of God against sinners from which we must be saved (Rom 1:18; 5:9). God is holy (Ps 99:3); we are not (1 Tim 1:9; 2 Tim 3:2). God is righteous (Dt 32:4; Rom 1:17); we are not (Rom 3:10). God is just when He judges and punishes us. The natural man is a hardened (hard hearted) criminal (Ezek 36:26; 1 Cor 2:14). Man’s degenerate status is proved by the revelation of the Law of God.

The Law was given by Yahweh to Moses at Mt. Sinai (Ex 20). We know what sin is by this revelation (Rom 3:20). Ironically, the Law stimulates sin (Rom 5:20); thus, exposing the weakness of human flesh (Rom 6:19). Simply put, the Law is holy (Rom 7:12); man is not holy. The Law is spiritual (Rom 7:14); man is not spiritual (1 Cor 2:14–15). The Law is righteous (Rom 7:12); man is not righteous (Rom 3:10). The Law is good (Rom 7:12, 16; 1 Tim 1:18); man is not good (Rom 3:12).

Man has no capacity, no will nor ability (Rom 8:7), to be compliant to the Law of God; hence, he is condemned by the Law (Jn 3:18), and each person will face the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10), to whom God has entrusted all authority (Mt 28:18) and judgment (Jn 5:22).

Sin reigns in the natural man, resulting in death of the body and the soul (Rom 5:21). Sin dominates man in the domain of darkness (Col 1:13). In this present evil age (Gal 1:4), man is a slave to sin (Rom 6:6). Every intention of the natural man’s heart is only evil all the time (Gen 6:5). His heart is wicked and deceitful above all else (Jer 17:9).

One transgression, by one man, poisoned all people ever conceived in their mother’s womb (Ps 51:5; Rom 5:15). Thus, we conclude sin to be universal (Rom 3:23); and there is nothing in this perverse generation that can help the plight of man, in Adam…except the other federal head, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Salvation from sin, condemnation, death, judgment, and eternal punishment under the righteous wrath of God is what the Gospel of grace is all about. In Romans 4, we learn of justification in the manner of God’s dealing with Abraham, the believer. The one who has been transferred from the domain of darkness and into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son understands that he or she has been fully forgiven (Col 1:13–14).

The entire debt of sin is cancelled by the blood of Jesus (Col 2:14), who bore our sins in His body on the cross (1 Pet 2:24). For this reason, the recipient of Christ is called, “blessed” (Rom 4:7) and “child of God” (Jn 1:12; 1 Jn 3:1, 10).

“In Christ” is a position of grace, in which the believer stands steadfast, immoveable (Rom 5:2; 1 Cor 15:58). Grace is the work of God for the benefit of those He is saving. In this, God causes all things to work together for good for those in Him (Rom 8:28), who loved us and who gave Himself for us (Rom 8:37; Gal 2:20; Eph 5:2). Instead of hating God and Christ (Jn 7:7; Rom 1:30), we now love Him with our whole being (Dt 6:5; Mt 22:37). We love Him, however, only because He first loved us (1 Jn 4:19).

God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Cor 5:19). It is through the death of Christ that we receive the reconciliation (Rom 5:10–11). The prince of peace, sent from the God of peace, has secured peace with God on our behalf (Is 9:6; Rom 5:1; 1 Thess 5:23). In Christ, we are brought near to God (Eph 2:13). We have imputed right standing before Yahweh because of Christ’s meritorious right standing. This is an imputed righteousness because Jesus’ work dealt with our sins in a perfect manner (2 Cor 5:21). For this reason, God is only pleased with Christ’s work (Mt 3:17; 17:5), and only pleased with those who trust in it and Him (Heb 11:6). His wrath remains against all others (Rom 1:18).

Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace (Rom 5:15; Eph 2:8–9). It is executed from beginning to end, from a heart of love (Rom 5:8). This is the agape love of God that cannot fail to accomplish its purposes (1 Cor 13:8). The purpose of God, in Christ Jesus, is to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21; Eph 3:11). His people were given to Him by the Father before creation (Jn 17:2, 6, 9, 24). He died for us (Rom 5:8), the sheep of His pasture (Ps 79:13; 95:7; 100:3; Jn 10:11, 15).

The contrast between Adam (type) and Christ (anti-type) displays God’s dealing with the respective “nations” and Christ’s “holy nation” (1 Pet 2:9). Romans 5 teaches us that representative heads perform singular acts that impact the whole body of people beneath them — all with eternal consequences.

Adam’s group receives justice leading to eternal punishment (Mt 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15). These are the unrighteous who were not chosen by God; not redeemed by Christ; and not regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Christ’s group receives justice leading to eternal life (Jn 17:3; Rom 5:21). These are the righteous (by imputation), who are justified by God’s grace (Rom 3:24; Titus 3:7), being recipients of God’s gift of righteousness (Rom 5:17). These have right standing because of one act of substitution, whereby an atonement for sin is made by their federal head, Jesus Christ, the righteous (1 Jn 2:1).

God’s grace manifests in the faith of His people, who have hope and a future. Believing in the Person and work of Christ, to secure right standing with God, we exult in Him in both good times and bad because nothing can separate God’s people from God’s love, perfectly displayed in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:31–39; 1 Jn 3:16).

In conclusion, we learn Christ (2 Pet 3:18); and we bear witness of Him to the sons of Adam (Acts 1:8). In proclaiming Christ, we contrast His federal headship with that of Adam. The second Adam, Jesus Christ, is very much better.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

January 17, 2025

Romans 5:1–21