Daily Devotions

Romans

Romans 
Day 
Day 104

"Death reigned from Adam to Moses..."

Text: Romans 5:14

THE REIGN OF DEATH

Paul picked his words carefully as he described sin. His words painted a grim but true picture of the power of sin.

“Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses,
even over those who had not sinned according
to the likeness of the transgression of Adam,
who is a type of Him who was to come.”

Romans 5:14

1. Death may be compared to a ruler

The word “reigned” comes from a Greek word that describes a ruler or a king reigning over his subjects!

2. From Adam to Moses

Paul was picking up this period of time as his focus. This was the pre-Mosaic law period.

3. Those who had not sinned according to the likeness of… Adam

A number of people may be cited. They would include:-

a) Enoch who was famed for his close walk with God (Genesis 5:24)
b) Methuselah who was famed for his great age (Genesis 5:27)
c) Noah who found special grace with God (Genesis 6-8)

Others could also be named. But these cited would be sufficient to prove the point.

i) They had not sinned in the same way as Adam.
ii) But the fact that they too died would indicate the power of sin.
iii) Death reigned over each one; and death took their last breath away.

4. Adam- A type of Him who was to come

a) He was in his own right an individual.
b) He also represented all of mankind.
c) He was a type of Him who was to come (a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ)