Romans 5 12

Romans 5:12 kjv

Wherefore, 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:

Romans 5:12 nkjv

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned?

Romans 5:12 niv

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned?

Romans 5:12 esv

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned ?

Romans 5:12 nlt

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

Romans 5 verses

Romans 5 12 Meaning

Romans 5:12 explains that sin and death entered the human realm through the single act of one man, Adam. This original sin initiated a pervasive spiritual and physical death that spread to all humanity. The universality of death is intrinsically linked to the fact that all individuals subsequently become participants in sin. The verse lays the groundwork for understanding the human condition as fallen and introduces a key theological parallel, preparing for the contrast between Adam’s act and Christ’s saving work.

Romans 5 12 Context

Romans 5:12 serves as a pivotal theological transition within Paul's Epistle to the Romans. Prior to this verse, Paul meticulously built the case for humanity's universal need for salvation (Romans 1:18-3:20), revealed God's provision for righteousness through faith in Christ (Romans 3:21-4:25), and expounded upon the immediate benefits of justification—peace with God, access to grace, and hope in tribulation (Romans 5:1-11).

Having established the solution (justification by faith), Paul now turns to deeply explain the root cause of humanity's plight: sin and its consequences. This verse begins a crucial parallel argument that contrasts Adam’s original trespass and its devastating impact on all humanity with Christ's singular act of righteousness and its redemptive implications for those in Him (Romans 5:12-21). It sets the historical and theological foundation for the doctrine of original sin, explaining why all individuals are born into a state where sin is prevalent and death is inevitable, thus underscoring the necessity and grandeur of Christ's work.

Culturally and historically, the concept of a "representative" or "corporate head" was understood within Jewish thought, where the actions of an individual (e.g., Achan in Josh 7) could have implications for the entire community. Paul employs this framework, positioning Adam not merely as the first sinner but as the appointed federal head whose actions directly affected the entire human race that would descend from him.

Romans 5 12 Word analysis

• Therefore (Διὰ τοῦτο - _dia touto_): Signals a logical continuation, connecting the explanation of humanity's dire condition back to the earlier discussion of justification. It means "for this reason," grounding the universal spread of sin and death in the theological exposition of chapters 1-4 and setting up the grand comparison with Christ in the verses to follow.
• Just as (ὥσπερ - _hōsper_): Indicates a direct comparison or parallel. This term introduces the foundational typology between Adam and Christ, signifying that an equivalent consequence will be revealed on the other side of the equation (completed in Rom 5:18-19).
• Sin (ἡ ἁμαρτία - _hē hamartia_): Not merely individual wrong acts, but here refers to "Sin" as an active force, a reigning power, an inherent corrupting principle, and a state of rebellion against God. It is personified as an invading entity.
• Came into the world (εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον - _eiselten eis ton kosmon_): "Entered the ordered universe." "World" (_kosmos_) refers to the sphere of human existence. This phrase emphasizes that sin was an introduced entity, a disruptive intrusion into the created order through humanity's actions, fundamentally altering humanity's spiritual reality.
• Through one man (δι᾽ ἑνὸς ἀνθρώπου - _di' henos anthrōpou_): This definitively identifies Adam. It highlights the singular, originating source of humanity's fall. Paul establishes a clear point of origin, underscoring the concept of federal or corporate headship—one man's action profoundly affected all his descendants.
• Death (ὁ θάνατος - _ho thanatos_): Encompasses physical separation of soul from body, spiritual separation of humanity from God (Rom 7:8-11, Eph 2:1), and eternal separation/condemnation (Rom 6:23). It is presented as sin’s inseparable consequence.
• Spread (διῆλθεν - _diēlthen_): Implies permeation, transmission, or progression. It indicates that death is not confined but has pervaded, passed through, or infiltrated every individual of humanity.
• Because all sinned (ἐφ᾽ ᾧ πάντες ἥμαρτον - _eph hō pantes hēmarton_): This is a key phrase subject to significant interpretation:
  • ἐφ᾽ ᾧ (_eph hō_): Can mean "in whom" (referring to Adam as the head) or "because" (referring to the consequence of Adam’s act). The overwhelming contextual evidence within Romans 5 (especially 5:15-19) supports the causal "because."
  • All sinned (_pantes hēmarton_): Does not solely refer to individual acts of sin committed later in life by each person, independent of Adam. Rather, in light of the corporate headship demonstrated by Paul throughout this passage, "all sinned" means that all of humanity became implicated in sin's pervasive nature and resulting guilt because of Adam's act, making universal personal sin an inevitable outcome of this inherited condition. The death spreading to all is because all, by being in Adam, came under the dominion of sin, inevitably committing actual sins due to this fallen nature and being held accountable for both.

Romans 5 12 Bonus section

The concept of "original sin" as outlined in Romans 5:12 is multifaceted, encompassing:

• Original Guilt: The judicial condemnation that falls upon all humanity because of Adam's federal headship and his representative sin (often called imputed sin).
• Original Corruption/Depravity: The inherited state of a fallen nature from Adam, making all his descendants spiritually dead, enslaved to sin, and incapable of perfectly obeying God on their own (Rom 7:14-25). This condition is why "all sinned"—it's an inevitable outflow of their corrupted nature.

This verse effectively counters any notion of human autonomy or inherent goodness in the natural man; it asserts that every human being, by virtue of their shared humanity with Adam, is fundamentally predisposed to sin and stands condemned before a holy God. It lays the vital groundwork for understanding why the sacrifice of Christ, as the "Second Adam," was absolutely necessary and universally applicable.

Romans 5 12 Commentary

Romans 5:12 introduces the profound doctrine of original sin, establishing the entry of sin and death into the world through Adam's singular disobedience. This verse emphasizes a crucial causal link: death spread universally because all people, being inherently affected by Adam’s trespass, invariably fall short and commit personal sins. It sets the stage for Paul’s detailed theological parallel between Adam and Christ, illustrating that just as humanity became enslaved to sin and subject to death through one man’s transgression, so too can humanity find redemption, righteousness, and eternal life through one man’s perfect obedience—Jesus Christ. This demonstrates the immense and comprehensive salvation provided by God through faith in His Son, designed to address the profound and universal plight originated by Adam.