How does Genesis 3:23 connect with Romans 5:12 regarding sin's entry into the world? Sin’s Entry Recorded: Genesis 3:23 “Therefore the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.” (Berean Standard Bible) • The moment Adam is driven from Eden marks the historical point at which sin’s consequence—separation from God—takes visible form. • God’s action is judicial and literal: the holy presence and the sinful human cannot coexist in the same sanctuary. • Work now takes place in a cursed environment, underscoring that every aspect of human life is touched by disobedience. Sin’s Spread Explained: Romans 5:12 “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.” (Berean Standard Bible) • Paul reaches back to Eden and treats Adam as a real historical figure whose act introduced a universal condition. • Death, both physical and spiritual, rides tandem with sin into human experience. • The verse shifts from the specific (one man) to the collective (all men), revealing a solidarity of humanity in Adam. Connecting the Two Passages 1. Historical Link • Genesis records the event; Romans provides the inspired commentary that traces its ongoing effect. 2. Cause and Effect • Genesis 3:23 shows banishment; Romans 5:12 identifies the underlying cause—sin—and its inevitable result—death. 3. Federal Headship • Adam acts as the representative head in Genesis; Romans clarifies that his action legally and spiritually affects every descendant. 4. Universal Impact • The single expulsion in Genesis becomes the universal condition in Romans, confirming that Eden’s gate closed for all humanity. 5. Continuity of Scripture • Both texts fit seamlessly: the narrative of origins (Genesis) aligns with the doctrinal exposition (Romans), demonstrating the Bible’s unified testimony. Key Insights at a Glance • Sin is not merely a personal flaw; it is a realm into which Adam brought humankind. • Death is inseparable from sin; it is the divinely decreed penalty that validates God’s warning in Genesis 2:17. • The literal exile of Genesis anticipates the spiritual alienation highlighted in Romans. Personal Takeaways • Recognizing Adam’s historical fall enables a clear grasp of why every person needs redemption. • Scripture’s consistency encourages confidence that God’s diagnosis of the human condition is accurate and trustworthy. • Understanding the link between these verses prepares the heart to appreciate the remedy presented later in Romans 5:15–21—Christ as the second and victorious Man. |
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