The Meaning of Romans 5:12 Explained

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:

YLT: because of this, even as through one man the sin did enter into the world, and through the sin the death; and thus to all men the death did pass through, for that all did sin;

Darby: For this cause, even as by one man sin entered into the world, and by sin death; and thus death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

ASV: 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:--

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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: 

What does Romans 5:12 Mean?

Study Notes

have sinned
The first sin wrought the moral ruin of the race. The demonstration is simple.
(1) Death is universal ( Romans 4:12 ; Romans 4:14 ), all die: sinless infants, moral people, religious people, equally with the depraved. For a universal effect there must be a universal cause; that cause is a state of universal sin ( Romans 5:12 ).
(2) But this universal state must have had a cause. It did. The consequence of Adam's sin was that "the many were made sinners" ( Romans 5:19 )--"By the offence of one judgment came upon all men unto condemnation" ( Romans 5:18 ).
(3) Personal sins are not meant here. From Adam to Moses death reigned ( Romans 5:14 ), although, there being no law, personal guilt was not imputed ( Romans 5:13 ). Accordingly, from Genesis 4:7 to Exodus 29:14 the sin-offering is not once mentioned. Then, since physical death from Adam to Moses was not due to the sinful acts of those who die ( Romans 5:13 ), it follows that it was due to a universal sinful state, or nature, and that state is declared to be out inheritance from Adam.
(4) the moral state of fallen man is described in Scripture Genesis 6:5 ; 1 Kings 8:46 ; Psalms 14:1-3 ; Psalms 39:5 ; Jeremiah 17:9 ; Matthew 18:11 ; Mark 7:20 ; Mark 7:23 ; Romans 1:21 ; Romans 2:1-29 ; Romans 3:9-19 ; Romans 7:24 ; Romans 8:7 ; John 3:6 ; 1 Corinthians 2:14 ; 2 Corinthians 3:14 ; 2 Corinthians 4:4 ; Galatians 5:19-21 ; Ephesians 2:1-3 ; Ephesians 2:11 ; Ephesians 2:12 ; Ephesians 4:18-22 ; Colossians 1:21 ; Hebrews 3:13 ; James 4:14 ; 1 Corinthians 15:22 .

Verse Meaning

The first verse of this section ( Romans 5:12-21) picks up the idea of future salvation from Romans 5:9-10.
Paul did not call Adam and Christ by name when he first spoke of them but referred to each as "one man." The key word "one" occurs14times in Romans 5:12-21. He thereby stressed the unity of the federal head with those under his authority who are also "men" (i.e, human beings).
We might interpret this verse as meaning that Adam only set a bad example for mankind that everyone has followed if we did not continue reading. Adam"s sin had a more direct and powerful effect than that of a bad example ( Romans 5:15). It resulted in his descendants inheriting a sinful human nature that accounts in part for our sinfulness.
Paul personified sin presenting it as an evil power. He probably meant both physical and spiritual death.
Why did Paul and God hold Adam responsible for the sinfulness of the race when it was really Eve who sinned first? They did so because Adam was the person in authority over and therefore responsible for Eve ( Genesis 2:18-23; 1 Corinthians 11:3). Furthermore, Eve was deceived ( 2 Corinthians 11:3), but Adam sinned deliberately ( 1 Timothy 2:14).
Paul compared the manner in which death entered the world, through sin, and the manner in which it spread to everyone, also through sin. Death is universal because sin is universal. Paul"s concern was more with original death than with original sin.
"Death, then, is due immediately to the sinning of each individual but ultimately to the sin of Adam; for it was Adam"s sin that corrupted human nature and made individual sinning an inevitability." [1]
Witmer compared Adam"s sin to a vapor that entered a house (humanity) through the front door and then penetrated the whole house. [2]
"Perhaps what makes this sermon [3] most offensive to the ears of contemporary interpreters is not the language of impending destruction nor even that God is angry. What is probably most distasteful in Edwards"s theology is the doctrine of original sin, that he would believe that human beings are born guilty of sin and deserving of divine wrath. Perhaps implicitly, the view of the universal goodness of humanity that permeates the worldview of many people today has also penetrated evangelical theology as well. That all humans, including children, are guilty of sin and therefore deserving of the wrath of God seems harsh and unfair to modern ears." [4]

Context Summary

Romans 5:12-21 - Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ
This is the profoundest and most fundamental section of the whole Epistle. It contains an insight into the deep things of God, 1 Corinthians 2:10. We must read it slowly and thoughtfully many times in order to catch its drift. In these comments we can only skim in the most superficial manner across the surface.
We are here taught the unity of the race, not only in Adam, but in Christ. Adam's sin has affected the standing of every man; but the grace and the obedience of the "One Man," Jesus Christ, have secured for all men the offer of the free gift. The guilt that lay upon the race by the sin of Adam has been removed from the race by the obedience of the Son of man to the Cross. None, therefore, are condemned, on account of that first transgression, or doomed for that primal fall. In a sense, all are made righteous; that is, all stand before God on the basis of their individual, rather than their racial, responsibility. We are not condemned with Adam, but may be condemned, if we refuse to avail ourselves of the grace of Jesus Christ. All that sin forfeited is put within our reach. Nay, we may reach higher heights than Adam, if we will only receive the abundance of the grace of Christ. [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 5

1  Being justified by faith, we have peace with God;
2  and joy in our hope;
8  that since we were reconciled by his blood, when we were enemies;
10  we shall much more be saved, being reconciled
12  As sin and death came by Adam;
17  so much more righteousness and life by Jesus Christ
20  Where sin abounded, grace did superabound

Greek Commentary for Romans 5:12

Therefore [δια τουτο]
“For this reason.” What reason? Probably the argument made in Romans 5:1-11, assuming our justification and urging exultant joy in Christ because of the present reconciliation by Christ‘s death and the certainty of future final salvation by his life. [source]
As through one man [ωσπερ δι ενος αντρωπου]
Paul begins a comparison between the effects of Adam‘s sin and the effects of the redemptive work of Christ, but he does not give the second member of the comparison. Instead of that he discusses some problems about sin and death and starts over again in Romans 5:15. The general point is plain that the effects of Adam‘s sin are transmitted to his descendants, though he does not say how it was done whether by the natural or the federal headship of Adam. It is important to note that Paul does not say that the whole race receives the full benefit of Christ‘s atoning death, but only those who do. Christ is the head of all believers as Adam is the head of the race. In this sense Adam “is a figure of him that was to come.” Sin entered into the world (η αμαρτια εις τον κοσμον εισηλτεν — hē hamartia eis ton kosmon eisēlthen). Personification of sin and represented as coming from the outside into the world of humanity. Paul does not discuss the origin of evil beyond this fact. There are some today who deny the fact of sin at all and who call it merely “an error of mortal mind” (a notion) while others regard it as merely an animal inheritance devoid of ethical quality. And so death passed unto all men Note use of διερχομαι — dierchomai rather than εισερχομαι — eiserchomai just before, second aorist active indicative in both instances. By “death” in Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:19 physical death is meant, but in Romans 5:17, Romans 5:21 eternal death is Paul‘s idea and that lurks constantly behind physical death with Paul. For that all sinned (επ ωι παντες ημαρτον — Ephesians' hōi pantes hēmarton). Constative (summary) aorist active indicative of αμαρτανω — hamartanō gathering up in this one tense the history of the race (committed sin). The transmission from Adam became facts of experience. In the old Greek επ ωι — Ephesians' hōi usually meant “on condition that,” but “because” in N.T. (Robertson, Grammar, p. 963). [source]
Sin entered into the world [η αμαρτια εις τον κοσμον εισηλτεν]
Personification of sin and represented as coming from the outside into the world of humanity. Paul does not discuss the origin of evil beyond this fact. There are some today who deny the fact of sin at all and who call it merely “an error of mortal mind” (a notion) while others regard it as merely an animal inheritance devoid of ethical quality. [source]
And so death passed unto all men [και ουτως εις παντας αντρωπους διηλτεν]
Note use of διερχομαι — dierchomai rather than εισερχομαι — eiserchomai just before, second aorist active indicative in both instances. By “death” in Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:19 physical death is meant, but in Romans 5:17, Romans 5:21 eternal death is Paul‘s idea and that lurks constantly behind physical death with Paul. For that all sinned (επ ωι παντες ημαρτον — Ephesians' hōi pantes hēmarton). Constative (summary) aorist active indicative of αμαρτανω — hamartanō gathering up in this one tense the history of the race (committed sin). The transmission from Adam became facts of experience. In the old Greek επ ωι — Ephesians' hōi usually meant “on condition that,” but “because” in N.T. (Robertson, Grammar, p. 963). [source]
For that all sinned [επ ωι παντες ημαρτον]
Constative (summary) aorist active indicative of αμαρτανω — hamartanō gathering up in this one tense the history of the race (committed sin). The transmission from Adam became facts of experience. In the old Greek επ ωι — Ephesians' hōi usually meant “on condition that,” but “because” in N.T. (Robertson, Grammar, p. 963). [source]
Wherefore as []
As ( ὥσπερ ) begins the first member of a comparison. The second member is not expressed, but is checked by the illustration introduced in Romans 5:13, Romans 5:14, and the apostle, in his flow of thought, drops the construction with which he started, and brings in the main tenor of what is wanting by “Adam who is the type,” etc. (Romans 5:14). [source]
Entered into []
As a principle till then external to the world. [source]
Passed upon [διῆλθεν ἐφ ')]
Lit., came throughout upon. The preposition διά denotes spreading, propagation, as εἰς intodenoted entrance. [source]
For that [ἐφ ' ᾧ]
On the ground of the fact that. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 5:12

Romans 5:19 Were made [κατεστάθησαν]
See on James 3:6. Used elsewhere by Paul only at Titus 1:5, in the sense of to appoint to office or position. This is its most frequent use in the New Testament. See Matthew 24:25; Acts 6:3; Acts 7:10; Hebrews 5:1, etc. The primary meaning being to set down, it is used in classical Greek of bringing to a place, as a ship to the land, or a man to a place or person; hence to bring before a magistrate (Acts 17:15). From this comes the meaning to set down as, i.e., to declare or show to be; or to constitute, make to be. So 2 Peter 1:8; James 4:4; James 3:6. The exact meaning in this passage is disputed. The following are the principal explanations: 1. Set down in a declarative sense; declared to be. 2. Placed in the category of sinners because of a vital connection with the first tranegressor. 3. Became sinners; were made. This last harmonizes with sinned in Romans 5:12. The disobedience of Adam is thus declared to have been the occasion of the death of all, because it is the occasion of their sin; but the precise nature of this relation is not explained. [source]
Romans 3:23 Sinned [ηρμαρτον]
Constative second aorist active indicative of αμαρτανω — hamartanō as in Romans 5:12. This tense gathers up the whole race into one statement (a timeless aorist). [source]
Romans 5:18 So then [αρα ουν]
Conclusion of the argument. Cf. Romans 7:3, Romans 7:25; Romans 8:12, etc. Paul resumes the parallel between Adam and Christ begun in Romans 5:12 and interrupted by explanation (Romans 5:13.) and contrast (Romans 5:15-17). [source]
Romans 5:18 Through one trespass [δι ενος παραπτωματος]
That of Adam. Through one act of righteousness (δι ενος δικαιωματος — di' henos dikaiōmatos). That of Christ. The first “unto all men” (εις παντας αντρωπους — eis pantas anthrōpous) as in Romans 5:12, the second as in Romans 5:17 “they that receive, etc.” [source]
Romans 5:18 Through one act of righteousness [δι ενος δικαιωματος]
That of Christ. The first “unto all men” (εις παντας αντρωπους — eis pantas anthrōpous) as in Romans 5:12, the second as in Romans 5:17 “they that receive, etc.” [source]
Romans 5:20 Came in beside [παρεισηλτεν]
Second aorist active indicative of double compound παρεισερχομαι — pareiserchomai late verb, in N.T. only here and Galatians 2:4 which see. See also εισηλτεν — eisēlthen in Romans 5:12. The Mosaic law came into this state of things, in between Adam and Christ. [source]
Romans 6:12 Reign [βασιλευετω]
Present active imperative, “let not sin continue to reign” as it did once (Romans 5:12). [source]
1 Corinthians 15:21 By man also [δαι δι αντρωπου]
That is Jesus, the God-man, the Second Adam (Romans 5:12). The hope of the resurrection of the dead rests in Christ. [source]
1 Corinthians 15:45 The last Adam became a life-giving spirit [ο εσχατος Αδαμ εις πνευμα ζωοποιουν]
Supply εγενετο — egeneto (became). Christ is the crown of humanity and has power to give us the new body. In Romans 5:12-19 Paul calls Christ the Second Adam. [source]
2 Corinthians 3:6 Killeth []
See on Romans 5:12, Romans 5:13; see on Romans 7:9; see on Romans 8:2. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:56. “The living testimony borne to his authority in the Corinthian Church suggests strongly the contrast of the dreary, death-like atmosphere which surrounded the old, graven characters on which his opponents rested their claims” (Stanley). [source]
Ephesians 2:3 Once lived [ανεστραπημεν ποτε]
Second aorist passive indicative of αναστρεπω — anastrephō old verb, to turn back and forth, to live (2 Corinthians 1:12). Cf. ποτε περιεπατησατε — pote periepatēsate of the Gentiles in Ephesians 2:2. The desires (τα τεληματα — ta thelēmata). Late and rare word except in lxx and N.T., from τελω — thelō to will, to wish. Plural here “the wishes,” “the wills” of the flesh like ταις επιτυμιαις της σαρκος — tais epithumiais tēs sarkos just before. Gentiles had no monopoly of such sinful impulses. Of the mind Plural again, “of the thoughts or purposes.” Were by nature children of wrath (ημετα τεκνα πυσει οργης — ēmetha tekna phusei orgēs). This is the proper order of these words which have been the occasion of much controversy. There is no article with τεκνα — tekna Paul is insisting that Jews as well as Gentiles (“even as the rest”) are the objects of God‘s wrath (οργης — orgēs) because of their lives of sin. See Romans 2:1-3:20 for the full discussion of this to Jews unpalatable truth. The use of πυσει — phusei (associative instrumental case of manner) is but the application of Paul‘s use of “all” (παντες — pantes) as shown also in Romans 3:20; Romans 5:12. See πυσει — phusei of Gentiles in Romans 2:14. The implication of original sin is here, but not in the form that God‘s wrath rests upon little children before they have committed acts of sin. The salvation of children dying before the age of responsibility is clearly involved in Romans 5:13. [source]
Ephesians 2:3 Of the mind [των διανοιων]
Plural again, “of the thoughts or purposes.” Were by nature children of wrath (ημετα τεκνα πυσει οργης — ēmetha tekna phusei orgēs). This is the proper order of these words which have been the occasion of much controversy. There is no article with τεκνα — tekna Paul is insisting that Jews as well as Gentiles (“even as the rest”) are the objects of God‘s wrath (οργης — orgēs) because of their lives of sin. See Romans 2:1-3:20 for the full discussion of this to Jews unpalatable truth. The use of πυσει — phusei (associative instrumental case of manner) is but the application of Paul‘s use of “all” (παντες — pantes) as shown also in Romans 3:20; Romans 5:12. See πυσει — phusei of Gentiles in Romans 2:14. The implication of original sin is here, but not in the form that God‘s wrath rests upon little children before they have committed acts of sin. The salvation of children dying before the age of responsibility is clearly involved in Romans 5:13. [source]
Ephesians 2:3 Were by nature children of wrath [ημετα τεκνα πυσει οργης]
This is the proper order of these words which have been the occasion of much controversy. There is no article with τεκνα — tekna Paul is insisting that Jews as well as Gentiles (“even as the rest”) are the objects of God‘s wrath (οργης — orgēs) because of their lives of sin. See Romans 2:1-3:20 for the full discussion of this to Jews unpalatable truth. The use of πυσει — phusei (associative instrumental case of manner) is but the application of Paul‘s use of “all” (παντες — pantes) as shown also in Romans 3:20; Romans 5:12. See πυσει — phusei of Gentiles in Romans 2:14. The implication of original sin is here, but not in the form that God‘s wrath rests upon little children before they have committed acts of sin. The salvation of children dying before the age of responsibility is clearly involved in Romans 5:13. [source]
Hebrews 2:14 Are sharers in flesh and blood [κεκοινωνηκεν αιματος και σαρκος]
The best MSS. read “blood and flesh.” The verb is perfect active indicative of κοινωνεω — koinōneō old verb with the regular genitive, elsewhere in the N.T. with the locative (Romans 12:13) or with εν — en or εις — eis “The children have become partners Second aorist active indicative of μετεχω — metechō to have with, a practical synonym for κοινωνεω — koinōneō and with the genitive also That he might bring to naught Purpose of the incarnation clearly stated with ινα — hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of καταργεω — katargeō old word to render idle or ineffective (from κατα αργος — kata class="normal greek">κρατος — argos), causative verb (25 times in Paul), once in Luke (Luke 13:7), once in Hebrews (here). “By means of death” (his own death) Christ broke the power (τουτ εστιν — kratos) of the devil over death (paradoxical as it seems), certainly in men‘s fear of death and in some unexplained way Satan had sway over the realm of death (Zechariah 3:5.). Note the explanatory tout' estin (that is) with the accusative after it as before it. In Revelation 12:7 Satan is identified with the serpent in Eden, though it is not done in the Old Testament. See Romans 5:12; John 8:44; John 14:30; John 16:11; 1 John 3:12. Death is the devil‘s realm, for he is the author of sin. “Death as death is no part of the divine order” (Westcott). [source]
Hebrews 2:14 Partook [μετεσχε]
Second aorist active indicative of μετεχω — metechō to have with, a practical synonym for κοινωνεω — koinōneō and with the genitive also That he might bring to naught Purpose of the incarnation clearly stated with ινα — hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of καταργεω — katargeō old word to render idle or ineffective (from κατα αργος — kata class="normal greek">κρατος — argos), causative verb (25 times in Paul), once in Luke (Luke 13:7), once in Hebrews (here). “By means of death” (his own death) Christ broke the power (τουτ εστιν — kratos) of the devil over death (paradoxical as it seems), certainly in men‘s fear of death and in some unexplained way Satan had sway over the realm of death (Zechariah 3:5.). Note the explanatory tout' estin (that is) with the accusative after it as before it. In Revelation 12:7 Satan is identified with the serpent in Eden, though it is not done in the Old Testament. See Romans 5:12; John 8:44; John 14:30; John 16:11; 1 John 3:12. Death is the devil‘s realm, for he is the author of sin. “Death as death is no part of the divine order” (Westcott). [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 5:12 mean?

Because of this just as through one man - sin into the world entered and through - sin - death also thus to all men passed for that all sinned
Διὰ τοῦτο ὥσπερ δι’ ἑνὸς ἀνθρώπου ἁμαρτία εἰς τὸν κόσμον εἰσῆλθεν καὶ διὰ τῆς ἁμαρτίας θάνατος καὶ οὕτως εἰς πάντας ἀνθρώπους διῆλθεν ἐφ’ πάντες ἥμαρτον

Διὰ  Because  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
τοῦτο  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
ὥσπερ  just  as 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὥσπερ  
Sense: just as, even as.
δι’  through 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
ἑνὸς  one 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: εἷς  
Sense: one.
ἀνθρώπου  man 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἁμαρτία  sin 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἁμαρτία  
Sense: equivalent to 264.
εἰς  into 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
κόσμον  world 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: κόσμος  
Sense: an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government.
εἰσῆλθεν  entered 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰσέρχομαι  
Sense: to go out or come in: to enter.
διὰ  through 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
τῆς  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἁμαρτίας  sin 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἁμαρτία  
Sense: equivalent to 264.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
θάνατος  death 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θάνατος 
Sense: the death of the body.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
οὕτως  thus 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὕτως  
Sense: in this manner, thus, so.
ἀνθρώπους  men 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
διῆλθεν  passed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: διέρχομαι  
Sense: to go through, pass through.
  that 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
ἥμαρτον  sinned 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἁμαρτάνω  
Sense: to be without a share in.