How does Romans 5:13 connect with the concept of original sin? Romans 5:13 — Scripture Focus “For sin was in the world before the Law was given. But sin is not imputed when there is no law.” Key Observations • Sin existed long before the Mosaic Law, tracing back to Adam. • The Law did not create sin; it revealed and quantified it. • Imputation (“charged to the account”) depends on explicit commands, yet death still reigned, proving universal guilt. Link to Original Sin • Humanity’s corruption began in Adam (Romans 5:12); verse 13 confirms it operated centuries before Sinai. • Death, the penalty for sin, spread to all—even to those without written statutes—showing an inherited, inborn sin nature. • Paul demonstrates that sin is not merely individual wrongdoing; it is a condition transmitted to every descendant of Adam. The Flow of Romans 5:12-19 1. 5:12 Adam’s trespass ushered in sin and death for all. 2. 5:13 Sin’s presence before the Law emphasizes its root in Adam, not Moses. 3. 5:14 Death “reigned” from Adam to Moses, underscoring universal guilt. 4. 5:15-19 Christ, the second Adam, reverses Adam’s legacy, bringing justification and life to those who receive Him. Supporting Passages • Genesis 3:17-19 — the original curse leading to universal death. • Psalm 51:5 — “Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.” • 1 Corinthians 15:22 — “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” • Ephesians 2:3 — by nature we are “children of wrath.” • Romans 3:23 — “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Imputation Explained • Explicit commands allow sin to be formally charged. • Even without such commands, death proves a guilty verdict inherited from Adam. • The same principle blesses believers: Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us (Romans 4:22-24; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Why This Matters • Universal sin reveals humanity’s universal need for a Savior. • Recognizing inherited guilt prevents reliance on personal law-keeping and points to grace alone. • Romans 5:13 expands gratitude for Christ, whose obedience is credited to all who trust Him, overturning Adam’s tragic legacy. |
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