Topical Bible: Sin: Entered Into the World by Adam

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The concept of sin entering the world through Adam is a foundational doctrine in Christian theology, rooted in the narrative of the Fall as described in the Book of Genesis. This event marks the introduction of sin into the human experience, with profound theological implications for the nature of humanity, the need for redemption, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

Biblical Account

The account of sin entering the world is found in Genesis 3. Adam, the first man, was placed in the Garden of Eden and given a command by God: "You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die" (Genesis 2:16-17). Despite this clear command, Adam, influenced by Eve and the serpent's deception, chose to eat the forbidden fruit. This act of disobedience is identified as the original sin, through which sin and death entered the world.

Theological Implications

The Apostle Paul expounds on the significance of Adam's transgression in his epistle to the Romans: "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" (Romans 5:12). This passage underscores the belief that Adam's sin had a corporate effect on humanity, introducing both physical and spiritual death.

The doctrine of original sin suggests that all humans inherit a sinful nature due to Adam's disobedience. This inherent sinfulness is not merely a tendency to sin but a fundamental aspect of human nature that separates individuals from God. As Paul further explains, "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:22), highlighting the contrast between the death brought by Adam and the life offered through Christ.

Redemptive Context

The entry of sin into the world set the stage for God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. The promise of redemption is first hinted at in Genesis 3:15, often referred to as the protoevangelium, where God declares enmity between the serpent and the woman, and between their offspring. This is seen as a prophetic foreshadowing of Christ's victory over sin and Satan.

Paul's writings in Romans 5 further elucidate the redemptive work of Christ as the second Adam: "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous" (Romans 5:19). Here, the obedience of Christ is presented as the antidote to Adam's disobedience, offering justification and life to those who believe.

Impact on Humanity

The entry of sin into the world through Adam has had a pervasive impact on human existence. It explains the presence of moral and natural evil, human suffering, and the universal need for salvation. The doctrine emphasizes the necessity of divine grace and the transformative power of the Gospel, which offers reconciliation with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

In summary, the entry of sin into the world by Adam is a pivotal event in biblical theology, shaping the understanding of human nature, the problem of evil, and the necessity of Christ's redemptive work. This doctrine underscores the gravity of sin and the profound hope found in the promise of salvation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 3:6,7
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also to her husband with her; and he did eat.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 5:12
Why, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed on all men, for that all have sinned:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Sin and Death in Adam, Righteousness and Life in Christ.
... Now this statement which the apostle addresses to the Romans, "By one man sin entered
into the world, and death by sin; and so it passed upon all men ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 19 xi sin and death.htm

Through Adam's Sin his Whole Posterity were Corrupted, and were ...
... Chapter 26."Through Adam's Sin His Whole Posterity Were Corrupted, and Were Born
Under the ... And thus "by one man sin entered into the world, and death by ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 26 through adams sin his.htm

In Adam's First Sin, Many Kinds of Sin were Involved.
... Chapter 45."In Adam's First Sin, Many Kinds of Sin Were Involved. However, even
in that one sin, which "by one man entered into the world, and so passed upon ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 45 in adams first sin.htm

Whether if Eve, and not Adam, had Sinned, their Children Would ...
... would have contracted original sin, even if Adam had not sinned. On the contrary,
The Apostle says (Rom.5:12): "By one man sin entered into this world." Now if ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether if eve and not.htm

Sin Passes on to all Men by Natural Descent, and not Merely by ...
... wished to assert that sin entered into the world, not by natural descent, but by
imitation, he would have mentioned as the first offender, not Adam indeed, but ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 9 ix sin passes on.htm

Death by Adam, Life by Christ
... By one man came death. By one man sin entered into the world, and death
by sin (Romans 5:12) . Sin opened the door to death. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xli death by adam.htm

Of Sin by Imputation and Propagation.
... There is "sin entered into the world" by imputation, and also by propagation. Adam's
first sin and heinous transgression is charged upon all his posterity, and ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xxiv of sin by.htm

Whether the First Sin of Our First Parent is Contracted by his ...
... through origin from the first man sin entered into the world ... some, considering that
the subject of sin is the ... and since the soul's defects redound into the body ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the first sin of.htm

Bodily Death from Adam's Sin.
... man came also the resurrection of the dead; for as in Adam all die ... verse in which
he says to the Romans, "By one man sin entered into the world, and death ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 8 viii bodily death from.htm

The Opinions of all Controversialists Whatever are Not, However ...
... The apostle exclaims: "By one man sin entered into the world, and death by
sin; and so it passed upon all men, in which all have sinned. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 14 the opinions of all.htm