Romans 5:18 kjv
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Romans 5:18 nkjv
Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
Romans 5:18 niv
Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.
Romans 5:18 esv
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.
Romans 5:18 nlt
Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
Romans 5 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 5:12 | For as through one man sin entered into the world... | Adam's sin and its effect |
| Rom 5:15 | But the free gift is not like the trespass. | Contrast between Adam and Christ |
| Rom 5:16 | The verdict following one trespass is condemnation... | Consequence of sin |
| Rom 5:17 | For if by the one man’s trespass death reigned... | Reign of sin and death |
| Rom 5:19 | For as by the one man's disobedience many were made sinners... | Obedience vs. Disobedience |
| 1 Cor 15:21 | For since by man came death, by man has come also the resurrection of the dead. | Christ as the second Adam |
| 1 Cor 15:22 | For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. | Universal scope of Christ's work |
| 2 Cor 5:14 | for the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all... | Christ's sacrificial love |
| Phil 2:8 | and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. | Christ's obedience |
| Heb 2:9 | but we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. | Christ tasting death for all |
| 1 John 2:2 | He himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. | Christ's atonement |
| Gen 3:15 | I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. | First promise of redemption |
| Isa 53:11 | Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. | Servant's atoning sacrifice |
| Jer 23:6 | In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness. | Christ as "The LORD Our Righteousness" |
| Ps 143:1-2 | Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no living person is righteous before you. | Human inability to be righteous |
| Gal 3:13 | Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.” | Redemption from the curse |
| Eph 2:1-2 | And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked... | State of humanity without Christ |
| 1 Cor 6:11 | And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. | Justification through Christ |
| Rom 3:23-24 | for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. | Universal sinfulness and gift of grace |
| John 1:16 | For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. | Abundance of God's grace |
Romans 5 verses
Romans 5 18 Meaning
Just as one trespass brought condemnation to all men, so one righteous act brought a gift of righteousness that brings justification and life to all men. This verse establishes a profound parallel between Adam's sin and Christ's righteousness, highlighting the expansive scope of both condemnation and salvation. It emphasizes that through Christ's singular act of obedience and sacrifice, the power of sin and death is overcome, and all humanity has access to justification and eternal life.
Romans 5 18 Context
Romans 5 is a pivotal chapter in Paul's argument about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The preceding verses (Rom 5:12-17) establish the profound connection between Adam's sin and humanity's condemnation, and contrast it with Christ's perfect righteousness and its power to impart life and justification. Paul uses the analogy of Adam, the first man, whose disobedience brought sin and death to all humanity, and presents Jesus Christ, the "second Adam," whose obedience and sacrificial death bring justification and life to all who believe. This verse serves as a powerful summation of this comparison, highlighting the magnitude of God's grace in overcoming the consequences of sin through Christ's singular act of righteousness. The historical context involves Paul writing to the Roman church, addressing questions about Jew-Gentile relations and the universality of God's plan of salvation through Christ.
Romans 5 18 Word Analysis
- ὣς (hōs): "as," "just as." Introduces a comparison, drawing a parallel.
- ἐφ’ ἑνὶ ( eph’ heni): "upon one," "by one." Refers to a single source or cause.
- παραπτώματι (paraptōmati): "trespass," "offense," "fall." Denotes an error, a slip, a deviation from the right path, specifically Adam's disobedience.
- εἰς (eis): "into," "unto." Indicates the direction or result of the action, leading to something.
- κατάκριμα (katakrima): "condemnation," "judgment." The adverse verdict, the sentence of guilt and its resulting state.
- τοῖς ἀνθρώποις (tois anthropois): "to the men," "to the people," "to mankind." Refers to humanity in general.
- οὕτως (houtōs): "so," "in like manner." Indicates a parallel and corresponding outcome.
- δωρεὰ (dōrea): "gift," "free gift." Emphasizes that this is an unmerited, gratuitous favor from God.
- τῆς δικαιοπραγίας (tēs dikaiopragias): "of righteous deed," "of righteous act." Refers to Christ's perfectly righteous life and sacrificial death, a single act of obedience.
- εἰς (eis): "unto," "for." Denotes the purpose or recipient of the gift.
- δικαίωσιν (dikaiōsin): "justification," "acquittal," "righteousness." The state of being declared righteous by God, pardoned and accepted.
- ζωῆς (zōēs): "of life." Specifically refers to eternal, spiritual life.
- τοῖς ἀνθρώποις (tois anthropois): "to the men," "to the people," "to mankind." Again, emphasizing the broad reach of God's provision.
Group of words analysis:
- "As through one trespass condemnation came to all men": This phrase underscores the universality and direct consequence of Adam's single act of sin. It establishes the foundational problem of human sinfulness.
- "So through one righteous act a gift came to all men resulting in justification and life": This phrase mirrors the first part, highlighting the singular, infinitely greater efficacy of Christ's righteousness. The "gift" emphasizes the unmerited nature of salvation, leading to the restored relationship with God and eternal life.
Romans 5 18 Bonus Section
The parallel drawn here is not to suggest universal salvation (as in universalism), but rather universal availability of salvation through Christ's atoning work. Just as Adam's sin has the potential to affect all of his descendants, so Christ's righteousness is offered to all humanity. The operative principle for receiving the benefits of Christ's act is faith, as elaborated throughout Romans. This verse is a cornerstone of Christological theology, portraying Jesus as the victor over sin and death for the entire human race. It also underscores the concept of federal headship, where Adam and Christ act as representative heads for their respective humanity.
Romans 5 18 Commentary
Paul masterfully contrasts the ruin brought by Adam with the redemption secured by Christ. Adam’s single act of disobedience plunged all humanity into sin and its consequent condemnation. However, Christ's single act of perfect obedience, culminating in His sacrificial death, has provided a way for all who believe to be justified and to receive the gift of eternal life. This highlights God's abundant grace, which is far more potent in its saving power than sin is in its destructive power. The focus is on the sovereign and gracious initiative of God through Christ.