may not have caused the initial sins, he is responsible for subsequent ones because they are the direct result of the removal of his grace. At another point in the letter (Rom 5.12-21) Paul speaks of the law, the Ten Commandments, and how as a result of such law sin itself increased because it could now be counted against a standard. However, in Paul's view, this was part of God's plan, so that through this accounting he could overflow his grace and mercy all the more. He cites that from the time of Adam, the first sin, through the time of Moses, death and hardness of heart reigned even over those who did not sin, because of the lack of law. But the addition of the law, and consequently a greater amount of sin, into the world, was the vehicle for the outpouring of God's grace, especially through the sacrifice of Jesus. "The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace might also reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom 5.20). The most pertinent example Paul provides is his concern with the unfaithfulness of the Jews. (Rom. 9.1-ff) Their lack of belief greatly sorrows him, because he views them as the chosen people of God, and desires to see them gain salvation. As he struggles with this issue throughout the letter, he arrives at the conclusion that such unwillingness to believe in Christ is part of God's divine plan to bring Christ first to the gentiles through Israel's disbelief, and then to bestow grace on Israel as a result of the gentiles faith. "But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make them jealous. Now if their transgression is enrichment for the world, and if their diminished number is enrichment for the gentiles, how much more their full number." (Rom 11.11-12) Therefore, God is responsible for Israel's unfaithfulness and their hardness of heart...
