The Law and the Fall Pattern

In Genesis chapter 3 the story of the fall is the first chapter of an ongoing story. Adam's sin, like ink, dropped onto tissue paper, rapidly spreads in its effects. In all these different situations when God brings people near to himself, the fall pattern is played out again. Paul has argued for the comparability of the work of Christ and the work of Adam. However, despite the formal similarities, there are radical differences. The power of the trespass may seem great, but the free gift vastly exceeds its power.