The Mechanics of Interpretation
A Sermon on Romans 5:12
Originally preached Feb. 14, 1958
Scripture
12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Sermon Description
How can one be sure of the meaning of Scripture? In this sermon from Romans 5:12 “The Mechanics of Interpretation”, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones begins this message by giving a few tips on how to read and study the Bible. Since Paul began this verse with the word “therefore,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws attention back to the previous messages and shows how Paul is going to tie things together. In the chapters leading up to this passage, Paul emphasized that all fall under the wrath of God because all have sinned. Why is this? It is because all are united as one in Adam. Because of what happened in the Garden of Eden, all are guilty of sin and born into sin. In the same exact manner, because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, Christians are not only saved by Christ but also saved in Christ. There have been two great heads to the human race: Adam and Jesus Christ. In Adam, all sinned, and in Christ, all can be saved. Christians should be so thankful that they have not only been saved from the impending wrath but are also engrafted into Christ’s body. While they were once enemies, they are now safe and secure in Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
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The sermon begins by introducing Romans 5:12 and the word “wherefore” as a transition to a new section. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that this section from verses 12 to 21 is the heart of the epistle to the Romans.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that “wherefore” in verse 12 connects this new section to what came before in verses 1 through 11. Specifically, verse 10 introduced the idea of being “in Christ’s life.” This new section explores what that means.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines four subjects covered in verses 12 to 21: the doctrine of original sin, the historicity of Genesis 1-3, covenant theology, and the doctrine of redemption.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that this section summarizes all that came before starting in Romans 1:16-18. It explains why all humanity is under God’s wrath: because of Adam. And it shows how some are redeemed: through Christ.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones says this section also introduces the idea of union with Christ which will be explored more later. Christians are not just forgiven but placed into Christ and His new humanity.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes the security and certainty that comes from being “in Christ.” Nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges the audience to understand what it really means to be “in Christ” and to see the fullness of God’s redemptive work.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones prays for illumination from the Holy Spirit to understand these deep truths and to live transformed lives that draw others to Christ.
Sermon Q&A
How Does Lloyd-Jones Interpret the "Wherefore" in Romans 5:12?
What is the significance of the "wherefore" in Romans 5:12 according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the "wherefore" in Romans 5:12 is a crucial transitional word that connects what Paul has been saying previously to this new section. It's not merely a casual conjunction but indicates a logical progression in Paul's argument. Lloyd-Jones explains that this "wherefore" shows that we are "in Christ" in the same way we were previously "in Adam." It builds upon the statement in verse 10 that "we shall be saved in his life," emphasizing our union with Christ as the foundation for the comparison between Adam and Christ that follows.
Why does Lloyd-Jones reject the view that Romans 5:12-21 is merely an epilogue or parenthesis?
Lloyd-Jones rejects these views because they fail to recognize the vital connection of this passage to Paul's overall argument. He criticizes those who see this section as: 1. A mere epilogue summarizing previous points 2. An unimportant parenthesis that Paul inserted out of interest 3. A return to the discussion of universal sin (as Scofield suggests)
Lloyd-Jones argues that Paul's logical mind wouldn't insert such a significant section without clear purpose. This passage isn't peripheral but central to understanding both our fallen condition in Adam and our redemption in Christ.
How does Lloyd-Jones connect Romans 5:12-21 to the earlier parts of the epistle?
Lloyd-Jones shows that this passage connects to Romans 1:16-18, where Paul introduced his main themes. He explains that Paul has been demonstrating how the whole world is under God's wrath, but now in Romans 5:12-21, he explains why humanity is in this condition—because of Adam and our relationship to him. This passage thus summarizes all Paul has been saying previously while also introducing the concept of our union with Christ that will be developed through chapter 8.
According to Lloyd-Jones, what key themes are addressed in Romans 5:12-21?
Lloyd-Jones identifies four critical themes in this passage: 1. The doctrine of original sin (the most important biblical passage on this topic) 2. The historicity of Genesis 1-3 (affirming these chapters as literal history) 3. Covenant theology (God dealing with humanity through representatives—Adam and Christ) 4. The ultimate nature of redemption (showing our secure position "in Christ")
Why does Lloyd-Jones describe our relationship to Christ using the preposition "in"?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the Greek word in verse 10 should be translated as "in his life" rather than "by his life." This preposition reveals that Christians are not merely forgiven but have become part of a new humanity with Christ as its head. Being "in Christ" means we have moved from one realm (Adam, sin, death) to another realm (Christ, righteousness, life). This union with Christ is the basis of our eternal security—we are either "in Adam" or "in Christ," and if in Christ, we have eternal security that can never be lost.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.