5:15Romans 5:15

Not as the offence is the free gift, for through one man's disobedience many died, while through one man, Jesus Christ, God's grace and the gift by grace has abounded to many.Ms 16, 1894, par. 3–5+2 The gift is not merely equal and opposite to the offence, but much more, with grace abounding beyond the ruin of Adam's sin.5RED 82.2–83.1+2 Adam stood as representative for his posterity, and by freely choosing disobedience he lost divine favor and Eden and plunged the race into guilt, helplessness and death with no hope in itself.2RED 49.2+2 Jesus Christ, the second Adam, clothed divinity with fallen humanity without its sinfulness, stood where Adam fell, overcame every temptation without yielding on a single point, and as substitute and surety bore the guilt, curse and wrath of the whole world.Ms 16, 1894, par. 3–5+4 Through Him the race is given another trial and may regain all that was lost, but the gift must be taken by living faith that beholds the uplifted Saviour, receives pardon and righteousness, enables obedience to the law, and shares grace with perishing souls.Ms 16, 1894, par. 3–5+4

The offence of one stands set against the free gift, for through the offence of one many are dead while the grace of God and the gift by grace through one man, Jesus Christ, has abounded unto many.Ms 16, 1894, par. 3–5+4 Adam's self-willed departure from obedience brought discord, unhappiness, separation from God, misery and death to the race, giving ground for the claim that no man after Adam could keep God's law and that the whole family was under hostile control, while Christ's perfect obedience and sacrifice pay sin's penalty, redeem humanity, bring life and immortality to light, give another probation and place humanity where freedom from bondage can be found.9MR 37.1–2+4 What was lost through the first Adam, including dominion and the earth's intended role as the home of holy happy beings renewed and freed from sin and sorrow, will be restored through Christ and His abundant gift of grace.Ms 12, 1868, par. 16–17+2 When humanity was lost with no hope as sinners against God, Christ consented to take transgression upon His own soul, taking the penalty of the whole human family with the sin of the whole world upon Him, a provision of substitute and surety made from the foundation of the world and ready if the race should fall.Ms 16, 1894, par. 3–5 The gift is vast and far-reaching, meaning everything and bringing great advantage, happiness, salvation and life measuring with the life of God, yet scarcely comprehended, and it must be taken by faith in order to bring salvation.Ms 16, 1894, par. 3–5

The free gift is not merely like or equal or opposite to the offence, but much more, for grace abounds beyond the ruin that came through Adam's sin.5RED 82.2–83.1+4 Through Adam's sin many came under death, but through Jesus Christ grace and the gift abounded to many, because Christ stood as humanity's substitute and surety bearing the guilt of Adam's descendants and the curse of the law, and His suffering and death opened the way to immortal life.5RED 82.2–83.1+2 He took human nature in its fallen condition with its weaknesses and decline yet without its sinfulness, stood where Adam had failed, and overcame temptation for sinners though He knew no sin, humbling Himself to reach fallen humanity and lift it from degradation.RH Jul 28, 1874+2 After the fall He became humanity's head and mediator, saving the race from immediate death and providing Adam and Eve with all their posterity a probation in which to return to allegiance to God.9MR 237.1–2 His sinless life united to deity made His self-offering, in which He served as both offering and Offerer, a ransom for sinners securing the free communication of grace, and that sacrifice was not imperfect or insufficient but provides a whole Saviour with sufficient grace, power and every advantage to advance in the divine life away from natural defects and tendencies, so that no one can excuse failure by saying he is not guilty of Adam's sin yet cannot help acting out inborn tendencies, which would cast reproach upon God as if to blame.1MR 142.3+1

The verse joins law and gospel bound together in a perfect whole, which is truth as it is in Jesus and centers the hope of eternal life in Jesus.SPBC 152.2–3+1 It is precious scripture to be impressed upon every heart opened to receive it, giving light and understanding to the simple who are contrite in heart, and it is the testimony that must go throughout the length and breadth of the world so that all may discern the light and walk in the light.SPBC 152.2–3+1 It calls the sinner to behold the uplifted Saviour and by faith accept His merits in order to be saved, instead of looking to man and trusting in man, giving power to become sons of God to as many as receive Christ not with mere nominal faith or legal religion but with faith that appropriates God's richest gifts.14MR 130.2–131.1 That grace so received is then shared, for believers plead for the gift to give to others and receive grace for grace.SPBC 152.2–3+1

Adam stood as representative for his posterity, required to render perfect obedience not only for himself but for them, with the promise that if he stood the test of temptation and kept his allegiance his obedience would secure acceptance and favor, establish him forever in holiness and happiness, and extend those blessings to all his descendants.Ms 126, 1901, par. 1–3 God had made man upright, perfectly holy and happy, pure and sinless, abundantly supplied in pure and undefiled Eden and furnished with perfect human strength and a holy undefiled nature.4T 293.2–3+3 The first Adam was in every way more favorably situated than Christ as the second Adam, yet Christ began where Adam began in purity and holiness, connected with God and beloved by God.Ms 20, 1898, par. 2–3

Adam freely chose disobedience to the Father's express commands and expressed will, listening to the enemy's temptation and to Satan's insinuated doubts of God's wisdom and accusation of selfishness.4T 248.1+2 Eve fell first under temptation and Adam accepted the fruit from her hand, falling under the smallest test over the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge.Ms 20, 1898, par. 2–3 Sin is not measured by the greatness of the act but by variance with God's expressed will in the least particular, and such variance proves sin reigns in the heart.Lt 5, 1896, par. 9–11 His posterity perpetuated his sin while finding fault with their first parents.Ms 41, 1898, par. 4–6

Through that one disobedience the floodgates of woe were opened upon the world.Ms 20, 1898, par. 2–3+1 Adam's transgression of the Father's express commands lost divine favor and Eden, brought guilt and sorrow upon the world, and plunged the race into wretchedness, hopeless misery, despair and death.4T 293.2–3+2 Humanity was lost through Adam's transgression, coming under bondage to the law under sentence of death, with death pronounced upon all because of his sin.2RED 49.2+1 Because of that revolt all his descendants have been sinners, depraved and sinful, every child inheriting disobedience, guilt and death, so the whole race stands fallen, helpless, degraded and ready to perish with no hope of itself and unable ever to rescue and restore itself from its fallen severed connection with God.Ms 126, 1901, par. 1–3+2

Through the offence of one many died, and Satan claimed the whole human family under his control, pointing to their calamities and diseases and saying God would have no mercy on them.Ms 16, 1893, par. 3–4 Adam fell by disobeying the expressed law of God, giving Satan ground to declare that no man after Adam could keep God's law.5MR 112.1+1 Satan had his own way in that dominion until Christ came to prove man can keep the law.Ms 2, 1893, par. 13 Adam repented, was raised from the dead, and entered Eden, where he met Christ, the second Adam.Lt 21, 1867, par. 4–6

The verse sets the first Adam against Jesus Christ, the second Adam, as two free moral agents held responsible for their conduct.Ms 132, 1902, par. 5–6+1 The first Adam abused his freedom, allowed himself to be overcome by appetite, and by his own free will chose disobedience and became a sinner, losing innocence and separating himself from the favor of God.Ms 132, 1902, par. 5–6+1 The second Adam remained ever sinless despite being surrounded by intensely subtle and misleading influences in the midst of sinners and facing less favorable circumstances.Ms 132, 1902, par. 5–6+1

To meet the fallen race the Son of God came down to its level, clothing His divinity with humanity to associate with it and stand at its head.ST Jul 30, 1902+1 He took upon Himself sinful, fallen human nature in its fallen condition, yet in Himself He was ever pure and undefiled, with no guile or sinfulness or taint of sin.ST Jul 30, 1902+1 With divinity and humanity combined His human arm reached the race while His divine arm grasped the Infinite, and His name became the link uniting man to God and God to man, so that through faith human nature may grasp the divine nature and cooperate with Him in being uplifted to partake of it.Lt 189, 1909, par. 17–18+2 In that humanity He manifested the character of God, pleasing not Himself but living more than thirty years a history of pure, disinterested benevolence, going about doing good.ST Jul 30, 1902 He laid aside His royal robe and royal crown and was born a babe in Bethlehem to bring human beings under His sway that they might not follow Adam's example.Ms 16, 1893, par. 3–4

He began where the first Adam began in purity and holiness, stood in Adam's place on the same ground where Adam stumbled and fell, and passed over that ground to bear the test Adam failed to endure.4T 293.2–3+2 Where Adam failed Christ was victorious, redeeming Adam's disgraceful failure and fall and regaining for man what Adam by disobedience had lost for himself and for the world.ST Jul 30, 1902+2 Satan came to Him as an angel of light to induce Him to sin and place the race entirely under evil, but Christ defeated Satan and placed the race on vantage ground with God.Lt 143, 1900, par. 13–15 His long single-handed fast and conflict with the prince of darkness in the wilderness, on which man's salvation hung, reveals the power of indulged appetite over human nature and proves the Redeemer's victory.4T 293.2–3

He met temptation in far less favorable circumstances than Adam in Eden, who possessed perfect human strength and the advantages of Eden, for Christ took the infirmities and weaknesses of humanity weakened by four thousand years of sin so that He could rescue humanity from degradation and not become the enemy's bondslave.ST Dec 3, 1902+2 He passed over the three leading temptations whereby humanity is beset, endured every test and met every temptation that any person will ever meet, walking in full and entire dependence upon God.Ms 9, 1893, par. 27–32+1 He resisted a powerful influence to do wrong by faith with firm hold on divine power, with divinity combined with humanity enabling Him to overcome, and His victory was complete, the enemy overcoming Him on not a single point.Ms 9, 1893, par. 27–32+1 That sinlessness was essential, for transgression of the law of God in even one particular would have made Him a sinner and caused His offering to fail.21MR 402.5

As substitute and surety He consented to take transgression upon His own soul, taking the penalty of the whole human family with the sin of the whole world upon Him.Ms 16, 1894, par. 3–5+1 He bears the guilt of Adam's descendants and the curse of the law and the wrath that disobedience would otherwise bring, bearing the punishment of disobedience so the race may be saved from eternal death.2RED 13.2+2 This included the horror of great darkness on the cross where the iniquity of the whole world was upon Him.5RED 82.2–83.1 Only He could make this atonement, for as the Son of God who created humanity He could offer Himself, while no angel's life could serve as sacrifice or remove sin's stain, and God's sacred immutable law could not be changed by one jot or tittle to meet man in his fallen condition.2RED 49.2+3

This provision of a substitute and surety was made from the foundation of the world, ready if the race fell through sin.Ms 16, 1894, par. 3–5 It sprang from love without equal and infinite compassion and desire to restore God's moral image, the depth of man's fall justifying great means to procure a ransom since man could never rescue himself from his fallen, severed connection with God.Ms 20, 1898, par. 1+1 The Father Himself made sacrifice in giving His only begotten Son and well-beloved Son, with divine benevolence redeeming by immeasurable sacrifice and the guiltless suffering for the guilty so grace abounds to the guilty, rebellious race.Ms 16, 1894, par. 3–5+1 When Christ was accepted as sacrifice the Father declared pleasure in Him on the banks of Jordan, heaven was opened to man and heaven and earth were united again, and on Calvary He gave Himself as both offering and Offerer to honor the law, pay the debt for past transgressions, and open the way to immortal life.3MR 103.2–3+1

Grace is God's favor shown to undeserving human beings who have sinned, and sinless angels who serve and obey are loved but are not given grace because they have never sinned and never needed it.Lt 98b, 1896, par. 5 Without the fall the meaning of grace would never have been learned, for man's disobedience brought him under condemnation of the law and called for grace to appear in behalf of sinners.Lt 98b, 1896, par. 5 Grace was not sought by man but was sent in search of man, and God rejoices to bestow it on everyone who hungers for it, not because they are worthy but because they are utterly unworthy, with need itself as the qualification giving assurance of receiving the gift.Lt 98b, 1896, par. 5

Through Christ the race was given another trial, another probation after Adam's fall, Christ redeeming Adam's disgraceful failure and fall by withstanding every temptation of Satan.2MR 120.4–121.2+1 He saves the race from immediate death and eternal ruin, taking man's guilt upon Himself as substitute and surety as soon as Adam sinned.Ms 162, 1899, par. 15+1 By standing in Adam's place and taking the penalty of sin upon Himself as propitiation, He postponed the day of arraignment and secured another trial with the privileges and opportunities of a free man to exercise God-given power of choice.Ms 8, 1902, par. 28+1 Every son and daughter of Adam with all posterity now lives in this probation, placed where freedom from bondage of sin can be found and tested whether men and women will return to allegiance to God.ST Aug 10, 1915+2 Through firm obedience where Adam failed Christ overcame, making this second trial possible and enabling people through His name and His righteousness counted to them to overcome the enemy.LC1 118.2

Through the gift all that was lost through the first Adam will be restored, opening the way for fallen people to regain what was lost.LC1 118.2+1 This includes the earth itself, forfeited dominion renewed and freed from sin and sorrow to be the home of holy happy beings as intended.ST Nov 25, 1913 Fallen people may recover the lost image of God and have the moral image restored and character reshaped, which requires thorough transformation of soul, body and spirit.SA 59.1+1 As soon as man transgressed Christ began His work of conversion so that through obedience to God's law and faith in Christ and through grace bestowed by heaven, by cultivating righteous principles, man may gain victory over bias to evil.Ms 60, 1905, par. 10–11 Then senses are no longer warped and twisted, faculties no longer perverted and wasted on what leads away from God, but words, thoughts and energies are purified, a new character is formed, and the debasement of sin is overcome.Ms 60, 1905, par. 10–11 Christ the second Adam overcame the enemy and redeemed humanity from the consequences of the fall, and through His strength people can receive life and immortality and eternal life.Ms 80, 1903, par. 37

The abounding gift does not abolish God's law for unconditional pardon, for the Father does not show benevolence at the expense of justice nor set aside principles of righteousness.Ms 143, 1898, par. 28 It does not exalt the sinner in impenitence and sin, encourage transgression, or give license to keep violating God's law, but abates transgression.Ms 126, 1901, par. 57+1 The blood of Christ avails only for those who return to allegiance to God and obey the law they violated, because Christ never becomes a party to sin.Ms 126, 1901, par. 57 Bearing the penalty of the law and paying the debt for past transgressions, He gives the sinner another chance and second trial, opens a way to be reinstated in God's favor, imparts His righteousness to make keeping God's holy law possible, and reconciles man to the Father to bring him back to the law, honoring it and giving dignity to it.Ms 126, 1901, par. 57+1 Man comes to God through Christ by doing the commandments, and when Christ was accepted as sacrifice and declared pleasing on the banks of Jordan, heaven was opened to man and heaven and earth were united again.3MR 103.2–3

The sacrifice made upon Calvary for the fallen race was not imperfect or insufficient but provides a whole Saviour with sufficient grace and power and every advantage to withstand temptation and advance in the divine life away from natural defects and tendencies.Lt 143, 1900, par. 13–15+1 In giving His Son to live and die the Father placed all the treasures of heaven at human disposal, defeating Satan who came as an angel of light to induce Christ to sin and place the race entirely under evil.Lt 143, 1900, par. 13–15 Therefore no one can excuse failure to live up to God's standard by saying he is not guilty of Adam's sin and not responsible for his guilt and fall yet his natural tendencies are in him and he is not to blame if he acts them out, for to make that excuse casts reproach upon God as if He were to blame, and there is no excuse for sin.Lt 143, 1900, par. 13–15+1 Had fallen men followed Christ's example they would have left children and children's children an example of steadfast purity and righteousness, the race would have improved instead of deteriorated, and the earth would have become as Eden.Lt 143, 1900, par. 13–15

In giving His only begotten Son as the free gift God's love elevates humanity in moral value and places the race on vantage ground with God.Lt 143, 1900, par. 13–15+1 Christ in His humanity grasped divinity, clothed divinity with humanity to associate with and stand at the head of the fallen race, and through His own merits cooperates with humanity in uplifting them.Lt 189, 1909, par. 17–18+1 Lifted up as the Man of Calvary to be seen by sinners, He came to give principles of truth and teach obedience, conquered where the first Adam failed while withstanding every temptation and living free from spot or stain, and through the merits of the crucified and risen Saviour humanity can overcome.Ms 48, 1904, par. 24–25+1 Those who accept Him as Saviour by faith may be united to God, share in and partake of the divine nature, live as God's children, and human nature shall be able through faith to grasp the divine nature having overcome, for man can accomplish nothing without God.Lt 189, 1909, par. 17–18+2

The free gift is vast and far-reaching, bringing great advantage and happiness and salvation and life that measures with the life of God, yet it must be taken by faith that appropriates the richest gifts of God, not by mere nominal faith or legal religion.Ms 16, 1894, par. 3–5+1 Those who have the Son have eternal life, received by living daily by faith in the Son of God and abiding in Him, becoming partakers of the divine nature, and all who so feed upon Him have the promise that though dead they shall live and shall never become extinct.14MR 130.2–131.1+1 Sinners are called to behold the uplifted Saviour and by faith accept His merits in order to be saved, instead of looking to man and trusting in man.14MR 130.2–131.1+1 Lifted up as the Man of Calvary, He is to be seen by sinners so that all who will believe may be saved, and man is to look to Him for strength and victory, loving every human being for His sake but looking to no human as supreme in counsel and unerring in wisdom.20MR 324.1–2+1

Through His sacrifice sinners may be pardoned, counted innocent and accepted by God, given His righteousness freely, enabled to keep the law, and purified as a people to live for good works.Ms 25, 1887, par. 15–16+1 Had fallen men followed His example they would have left their children and children's children an example of steadfast purity and righteousness, the race would have improved instead of deteriorated, and the earth would have become as Eden.Lt 143, 1900, par. 13–15 Because He overcame alone where Adam fell, passing over the three leading temptations whereby humanity is beset, every son and daughter of Adam can be safe by taking hold of the crucified and risen Saviour and can come off more than conquerors, for as God gave power to Christ He will give power to them.LC1 118.2+3 Through the merits of the crucified and risen Saviour humanity is placed on vantage ground with God, and through His strength people can overcome the enemy, receive eternal life, and through obedience win back what Adam lost through disobedience, and therefore they are to glorify God in body and spirit which are His.LC1 118.2+4

Those placed in right relation to Him reveal this grace as they labor for perishing souls, with faith that pleads for the gift to give to others and receives grace for grace.14MR 130.2–131.1+1 Ministers must consider the fall of man by nature through the offence of one, by which many are dead under the just condemnation of a holy God, and much more the grace of God and the gift by grace abounding unto many in true conversion, and if those they labor for make little show of true conversion something is out of the way and their methods are not after the gospel order.14MR 130.2–131.1+1 He endured every test and met every temptation that any person will ever meet, walking in full and entire dependence upon God as the path He calls others to walk in self-denial and daily cross-bearing, with the enemy overcoming Him on not a single point.21MR 402.5+1 Those who are at last crowned conquerors must depend on God as He did, travelling step by step the path He travelled, for His complete victory secures victory for those who follow Him.21MR 402.5+1