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:

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore {G1223}{G5124}, as {G5618} by {G1223} one {G1520} man {G444} sin {G266} entered {G1525} into {G1519} the world {G2889}, and {G2532} death {G2288} by {G1223} sin {G266}; and {G2532} so {G3779} death {G2288} passed {G1330} upon {G1519} all {G3956} men {G444}, for {G1909} that {G3739} all {G3956} have sinned {G264}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Here is how it works: it was through one individual that sin entered the world, and through sin, death; and in this way death passed through to the whole human race, inasmuch as everyone sinned.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.

American Standard Version

Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:—

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 5:12 serves as a pivotal theological statement, articulating the origin and universal spread of sin and death throughout humanity. It establishes that through the singular act of one man, Adam, sin entered the created order, bringing with it the consequence of death. This verse then asserts the universality of death, explaining that it has permeated all people because all individuals have, in some manner, participated in or been affected by sin. This foundational truth sets the stage for Paul's subsequent argument concerning the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 5:12 marks a significant transition in Paul's epistle. Having meticulously laid out the doctrine of justification by faith in the preceding chapters (e.g., [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith") and [Romans 4](/romans/4 "Romans 4 - Abraham's Faith")), and having declared the peace and access to God that believers now enjoy through Christ ([Romans 5:1-11](/romans/5-1-11 "Romans 5:1-11 - Peace and Hope Through Christ")), Paul now introduces a profound theological comparison. This verse initiates a sustained parallel between Adam and Christ, illustrating how Adam's singular act of disobedience brought sin and death to all humanity, just as Christ's singular act of obedience brings righteousness and life to all who believe. The subsequent verses in [Romans 5:13-21](/romans/5-13-21 "Romans 5:13-21 - Adam and Christ Compared") elaborate on this crucial theological antithesis, demonstrating the super-abundance of God's grace in Christ over the devastating effects of Adam's sin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's audience in Rome would have been familiar with both Jewish and Greco-Roman concepts of sin, death, and human responsibility. For Jewish readers, the narrative of Adam's fall in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Humanity") was foundational to understanding the human condition and the need for covenant and law. The concept of corporate solidarity, where the actions of a representative (like a tribal head or king) could affect the entire group, was also prevalent in ancient thought, particularly within Israelite theology. While not explicitly detailed in the text, the pervasive reality of death and suffering in the ancient world would have made Paul's explanation of their origin deeply resonant. The Roman Empire, with its diverse religious and philosophical currents, also grappled with questions of human depravity and mortality, making Paul's theological explanation of sin and death's universal reign a compelling and unique perspective.
* **Key Themes:** Romans 5:12 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Romans and biblical theology. It is central to the theme of **the universality of sin**, demonstrating that sin is not merely individual acts but a pervasive condition affecting all humanity, stemming from a foundational historical event. This leads directly to the theme of **the universality of death**, presented as the inevitable consequence and penalty for sin, affecting every person. Furthermore, the verse lays the groundwork for the theme of **corporate solidarity** or **representation**, where the actions of one individual (Adam) have profound, far-reaching consequences for all connected to him. This concept is vital for understanding the later comparison to Christ, where Christ's righteous act similarly impacts all who are "in Him." Ultimately, this verse underscores the **gravity of the human predicament** and the desperate need for divine intervention, setting the stage for the glorious revelation of God's grace and righteousness in Jesus Christ, which is the ultimate solution to the problem introduced by Adam, as highlighted in [Romans 5:18-19](/romans/5-18-19 "Romans 5:18-19 - Righteousness Through Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **man (Greek, _ánthrōpos'_):** This term refers to a human being, specifically "Adam" in this context, emphasizing his role as the progenitor and representative of humanity. It highlights that the entry of sin and death was not a cosmic accident but occurred through the deliberate action of a specific human individual.
* **sin (Greek, _hamartía'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to miss the mark," _hamartía_ denotes a failure to meet God's standard, a deviation from His righteous will. Here, it refers to the inherent state of rebellion and moral corruption that entered the world through Adam's disobedience, affecting human nature itself, not just individual acts.
* **death (Greek, _thánatos'_):** This word signifies separation, not annihilation. In the biblical context, it encompasses not only physical cessation of life but also spiritual separation from God, which is the ultimate consequence of sin. Its entry into the world signifies the disruption of the original created order and the introduction of decay and mortality.
* **passed (Greek, _diérchomai'_):** Meaning "to traverse" or "go through," this verb emphasizes the pervasive and widespread nature of death's spread. It suggests a movement or penetration that affects all, indicating that death did not merely appear but actively "passed upon" or permeated every human being.
* **sinned (Greek, _hamartánō'_):** The verb form of _hamartía_, meaning "to miss the mark" or "to err, especially morally to sin." The aorist tense here, "have sinned," points to a definite past action. This clause is the subject of much theological discussion, referring either to humanity's corporate participation in Adam's original sin or to the individual acts of sin committed by all people, or both.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world":** This opening clause establishes the origin point of sin. Paul asserts that sin's entry into the "world" (meaning the created order and human experience) was not an inherent part of creation but a consequence of the action of a single individual, Adam. The preposition "by" (G1223, _diá_) indicates the channel or means through which this entry occurred.
* **"and death by sin":** This phrase immediately links death as the direct and inevitable consequence of sin. Death did not enter independently but came "by" (G1223, _diá_) or "through" sin, establishing a causal relationship. This highlights death as the penalty or natural outcome of humanity's fallen state.
* **"and so death passed upon all men":** This clause describes the universal spread of death. The term "so" (G3779, _hoútō_) indicates the manner or result of the preceding statement. Because sin entered through one man and brought death, death consequently "passed upon" (G1330, _diérchomai_) or permeated all humanity. This signifies that death is a universal human experience.
* **"for that all have sinned":** This final clause provides the reason or explanation for the universality of death. The phrase "for that" (G1909, _epí_ G3739, _hós_) can be interpreted as "because" or "inasmuch as." The crucial point is that death is universal because "all have sinned" (G264, _hamartánō_). This can be understood in two primary ways: either that all humanity sinned corporately "in Adam" when he sinned, or that all individuals subsequently commit personal acts of sin, thereby confirming their fallen nature and incurring death. The theological consensus leans towards a combination, recognizing both the corporate imputation of Adam's sin and the individual's active participation in sin.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 5:12 employs several key literary devices. The most prominent is **Causality**, as Paul meticulously establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship: Adam's sin causes sin to enter the world, which in turn causes death, and this death spreads to all because of universal sin. There is also a strong element of **Antithesis** or **Contrast** implied, as this verse sets the stage for the grand comparison between Adam and Christ that unfolds in the rest of the chapter. Adam's act introduces sin and death, while Christ's act will introduce righteousness and life, creating a stark, redemptive contrast. The phrase "one man" functions as a **Synecdoche**, where a part (Adam) represents the whole (humanity), highlighting his representative role. Finally, the repetition of "sin" and "death" throughout the verse creates **Emphasis**, underscoring the central concepts Paul is conveying and their profound, intertwined impact on humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 5:12 is a cornerstone for understanding the biblical doctrine of original sin and its pervasive effects. It establishes that humanity's fallen state is not merely a collection of individual wrongdoings but stems from a foundational rupture in creation caused by Adam's disobedience. This single act introduced a spiritual disease (sin) and its ultimate symptom (death) into the entire human race, making it a universal predicament. This verse highlights humanity's corporate solidarity with Adam, meaning that his sin had representative consequences for all his descendants, making all liable to death and prone to sin. This profound theological truth underscores the desperate need for a divine solution, which Paul immediately presents in the person and work of Jesus Christ, setting up the grand narrative of redemption.

* [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "Genesis 2:17 - The Warning Against Disobedience")
* [1 Corinthians 15:21-22](/1_corinthians/15-21-22 "1 Corinthians 15:21-22 - Adam and Christ")
* [Ephesians 2:1](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1 - Dead in Sins")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 5:12 confronts us with the sobering reality of our human condition. It explains why suffering, brokenness, and mortality are universal experiences, not random occurrences. Understanding that sin and death are not merely external forces but deeply embedded consequences of humanity's rebellion, both corporately in Adam and individually in our own choices, should lead to profound humility and a recognition of our desperate need for a Savior. This verse dismantles any illusion of self-sufficiency or inherent goodness, revealing the pervasive nature of sin's corruption. It compels us to acknowledge that our greatest problem is not external circumstances but our internal alienation from God due to sin, which inevitably leads to death. This recognition, however, is not meant to condemn but to prepare our hearts to receive the overwhelming grace and life offered through Jesus Christ, whose righteousness provides the ultimate answer to the problem introduced by Adam.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the origin of sin and death in Romans 5:12 deepen your appreciation for the gospel message?**
* **In what ways do you see the "universality of death" and the "universality of sin" manifested in the world around you and in your own life?**
* **How does the concept of "one man" (Adam) impacting all humanity prepare you to understand how "one man" (Jesus) can bring salvation to all who believe?**
* **What practical implications does the reality of sin and death have for how you live your life and view your purpose?**

### FAQ
**Does Romans 5:12 teach "original sin," meaning we are guilty of Adam's sin?**

Answer: Romans 5:12 is a foundational text for the doctrine of original sin, but its precise interpretation has been debated. The phrase "for that all have sinned" (Greek: _eph' hō pántes hḗmarton_) can be understood in two primary ways: "in whom" (referring to Adam, implying corporate solidarity and imputation of guilt) or "because" (meaning all individuals commit personal sins, demonstrating their fallen nature inherited from Adam). Most theological traditions agree that Adam's sin resulted in a corrupted nature passed down to all humanity, leading to both inherited guilt and an irresistible propensity to sin personally. Thus, while the exact mechanism is debated, the verse clearly establishes a universal connection between Adam's sin and humanity's sinful state and death. This sets the stage for Paul's argument that just as Adam's sin had universal effects, so too does Christ's righteousness have universal redemptive potential for those who believe, as seen in [Romans 5:18-19](/romans/5-18-19 "Romans 5:18-19 - Adam and Christ's Righteousness").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 5:12, while stark in its portrayal of humanity's fallen state, serves as an indispensable backdrop for the glorious revelation of Jesus Christ. It meticulously details the problem—sin and death entering the world through one man, Adam, and consequently reigning over all humanity—thereby creating the desperate need for a divine solution. Christ is presented as the ultimate answer, the "second Adam" ([1 Corinthians 15:45](/1_corinthians/15-45 "1 Corinthians 15:45 - The Last Adam")), who reverses the curse and brings a new reign of life and righteousness. Where Adam's disobedience brought condemnation, Christ's obedience to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")) brought justification and eternal life. Paul masterfully develops this contrast in the subsequent verses of [Romans 5:15-19](/romans/5-15-19 "Romans 5:15-19 - The Gift of Grace"), showing that the grace and gift of righteousness through Christ "much more" abound than the trespass of Adam. Thus, Romans 5:12 is not merely a statement about the origin of sin, but a profound theological setup that magnifies the necessity and super-abundant victory of Christ's redemptive work, demonstrating that where sin increased, grace increased all the more ([Romans 5:20](/romans/5-20 "Romans 5:20 - Grace Abounds")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the one who conquered death and offers new life to all who believe ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 15:21

For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:22

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Romans 5:19

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

James 1:15

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Genesis 2:17

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.