ACC ~ Romans 5 v16

CHRIST TRANSFORMED MANY SINS INTO RIGHTEOUSNESS. DIODORE: Paul wants to say that it was because of Adam’s sin, although it was only one, that God condemned many, on account of the fact that they copied Adam. But the grace of the Lord was measured not according to that one sin but according to the many sins which all had committed. Thus Christ transformed many sins into righteousness. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

AMBROSIASTER: There is an obvious difference between the fact that those who have sinned in imitation of Adam’s transgression have been condemned and the fact that the grace of God in Christ has justified men not from one trespass but from many sins, giving them forgiveness of sins. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

THE GREATER GOOD OF THE FREE GIFT. CHRYSOSTOM: The free gift is much greater than the judgment. … For it was not just Adam’s sin which was done away with by the free gift but all other sins as well. And it was not just that sin was done away with—justification was given, too. So Christ did not merely do the same amount of good that Adam did of harm, but far more and greater good. HOMILIES ON ROMANS 10.

THE ONE GREAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GIFT AND TRESPASS. THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: There is one great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gift in Christ. Adam’s sin brought punishment on all those who came after him, and so they died. But the free gift is different. For not only did it take effect in the case of those who came afterward; it also took away the sins of those who had gone before. It is therefore much greater, because where sin harmed those who came after, grace rescued not only those who came after but those who had transgressed before as well. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

AUGUSTINE: This is the difference: in Adam one sin was condemned, but by the Lord many sins have been forgiven. AUGUSTINE ON ROMANS 29.

THE EFFECT OF THE GIFT. PELAGIUS: The effect of the gift is greater than that of the sin. From the sin of one righteous man came the judgment of death. Adam never came across all the righteousness which he destroyed, but Christ discharged the sins of many by his grace. Adam was only the model for sin, but Christ both forgave sins freely and gave an example of righteousness. PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON ROMANS.

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