The Incomparable Comparison

I was reading Romans 5:16 and realized I found a comparison. Here is the verse:

"The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification."

So, if I were to write the first half of the verse in a simple comparison, it might look something like this:


One Transgression (i.e., an improper action) + Judgment = Condemnation


OK, that I understand, because we all understand and are accustomed to hearing that if we do good, we'll get good, and if we do bad, we get bad.

But, look at the second part of that verse:


Many Transgressions + (inferred Judgment) + FREE GIFT = Justification


First, I'd like to say that judgment is not a bad thing. In the case of this verse and its internal comparison, judgment is simply the method by which an action is tested against a standard. But what really gets me is this:

1). these two parts of the verse are not the same, as it says in the Amplified version: "Nor is the free gift at all to be compared to the effect of that one [man's] sin"--which simply means that our sin and His free gift cannot be compared; and,

2). shouldn't the second part be more like this???:


Non-transgressions (i.e., PROPER ACTIONS) + (inferred Judgment) = Justification


This tells us that the free gift of God trumps not only one transgression, but many...even all transgressions. That's power!!!!

I hope I was able to write out my thoughts clearly enough for you to follow them, but know this: God's gift of righteousness to you is absolutely FREE to you. It is so powerful, so all-encompassing, that by its very nature, the free gift to you eliminates all transgressions: past, present, AND future.


Grace=Peace,


Jeremy