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Lenten Season · First Sunday of Lent · Year A

Romans 5:12-19 or Romans 5:12, 17-19

One Man's Trespass, One Man's Gift

February 22, 2026

The Anastasis (Harrowing of Hell), Byzantine master, Chora Church
The Anastasis (Harrowing of Hell), Byzantine master, Chora Church, c. 1315–1321Chora Church (Kariye), Istanbul
The apse fresco of the Chora in Constantinople. Christ, in white, hauls Adam and Eve bodily out of their tombs by the wrists while the gates of hell lie broken in pieces beneath him.Psalm 24 asks for the ancient doors to be lifted so the King of glory may come in, and this is a painting of the doors coming off.Chora Church (Kariye), IstanbulA Byzantine church turned mosque, then museum, then mosque again, holding the finest late Byzantine mosaics and frescoes that survive.Chora Church (Kariye), Istanbul
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 4:1-11Mt 4:1-11
Second ReadingRom. 5:12-19Rom 5:12-19 orRom. 5:12, 17-19Rom 5:12, 17-19
First ReadingGen. 2:7-9; 3:1-7Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7
Responsorial PsalmPs. 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14+17 (cf. 3a)Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14+17 (cf. 3a)

Overview & Insights

"For if by the transgression of the one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17)

Paul draws a straight line from Adam to Christ, one man's disobedience bringing death to everyone joined to him by birth, one man's obedience bringing life to everyone joined to him by faith. The comparison is not a balanced trade, Paul insists, because grace does far more than merely undo what sin did.

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Take it further: Romans 5:12-19 or Romans 5:12, 17-19

Commentary

Commentary on Romans 5:12-19Commentary on Rom 5:12-19 Working Preacher

A Luther Seminary reading of Adam and Christ as the two representative heads of the human race.

Romans 5:12-19 CommentaryRom 5:12-19 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching commentary on hope for a culture where hope can feel endangered.

Romans 5 Commentary: Benefits of Being JustifiedRom 5 Commentary: Benefits of Being Justified Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse by verse evangelical commentary covering the Adam and Christ comparison in this chapter.

Romans 5:12-21 CommentaryRom 5:12-21 Commentary Precept Austin

A detailed word study on sin, death, and grace across the passage; covers the fuller 12-21 span around this Sunday's verses.

Romans 5:12, classic commentatorsRom 5:12, classic commentators BibleHub

Barnes, Gill, and other historic commentators on sin entering the world through one man.

Romans 5, Barnes' NotesRom 5, Barnes' Notes StudyLight

Albert Barnes' notes on the Adam and Christ parallel running through the chapter.

Background & Word Study

Book of Romans Summary (Part 2)Book of Rom Summary (Part 2) BibleProject

An animated overview of Romans 5 onward, tracing how Paul builds his argument about grace.

The Church Fathers

Romans 5:12, patristic commentaryRom 5:12, patristic commentary Catena

Patristic comment on sin and death entering through Adam, gathered verse by verse.

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