Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that while Adam's single act of sin brought condemnation upon all humanity, Christ's single act of righteousness accomplishes justification and life for all. This emphasizes the profound, all-encompassing scope of both Adam's failure and Christ's victory, not just in terms of consequence, but in the very foundation laid by each act.
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is drawing a powerful parallel between the fall of humanity in Adam and its redemption in Christ. He's just explained how Adam's one sin brought condemnation and death to everyone, but now he's emphasizing that Christ's one act of righteousness brings justification and life to all who are united with Him. This verse serves as a pivotal summary, directly contrasting the devastating consequences of the first Adam's disobedience with the life-giving victory of the second Adam.
How can the sin of one person affect everyone? This verse reveals a profound connection between Adam and the entire human race.
The Bible teaches that Adam's first sin, often called 'the fall,' had cosmic consequences. It wasn't just a personal mistake; it introduced sin and death into the world for all humanity.
The Impact of Adam's Sin
If one act brought condemnation, can another act bring life and freedom for everyone? The answer is a resounding 'Yes!'
The incredible news of the Gospel is that what Adam's sin did to condemn, Christ's perfect obedience reverses and surpasses. This isn't just a partial fix; it's a complete restoration and elevation.
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The Power of Christ's Righteousness
The verse speaks of 'all men' receiving condemnation and 'all men' receiving justification. What does this 'all' really mean?
This verse presents a profound parallel between the scope of Adam's transgression and Christ's redemptive work. However, it's crucial to understand how this universality applies.
The Scope of God's Plan
This passage describes the first sin, Adam and Eve's 'trespass' in eating the forbidden fruit, which directly sets the stage for the 'condemnation for all men' mentioned in Romans 5:18.
1 Corinthians 15:21-22This passage directly parallels Romans 5:18 by stating that 'death came by man, so also the resurrection of the dead came by man,' reinforcing the 'one trespass' versus 'one act of righteousness' theme.
Philippians 2:8This verse highlights Christ's 'obedience unto death' as the core of His righteous act, which is contrasted with Adam's disobedience and forms the basis of the justification mentioned in Romans 5:18.
1 John 2:2This passage speaks of Jesus being 'the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world,' echoing the idea that Christ's righteous act has a scope that parallels the widespread effect of Adam's sin.
henryRomans 5:15-19: "But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many."
5:15-19 Through one man's offence, all mankind are exposed to eternal condemnation. But the grace and mercy of God, and the free gift of righteousness and salvation, are through Jesus Christ, as man: yet the Lord from heaven has brought the multitude of believers into a m…
clarkeRomans 5:18: "Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."
Therefore, as by the offense of one, etc. - The Greek text of this verse is as follows: - Αρα ουν, ὡς δι' ἑνος παραπτωματος, εις παντας ανθρωπους εις κατακριμα· αυτω και ἑνος δικαιωματος, εις παντας ανθρωπους, εις δικαιωσιν ζωης; which literally rendered stands thus: - Therefore, as by one offense unto al…
The verse highlights that while Adam's single act of sin brought condemnation upon all humanity, Christ's single act of righteousness accomplishes justification and life for all. This emphasizes the profound, all-encompassing scope of both Adam's failure and Christ's victory, not just in terms of consequence, but in the very foundation laid by each act.
Paul is drawing a powerful parallel between the fall of humanity in Adam and its redemption in Christ. He's just explained how Adam's one sin brought condemnation and death to everyone, but now he's emphasizing that Christ's one act of righteousness brings justification and life to all who are united with Him. This verse serves as a pivotal summary, directly contrasting the devastating consequences of the first Adam's disobedience with the life-giving victory of the second Adam.
Paul is drawing a powerful parallel between the fall of humanity in Adam and its redemption in Christ. He's just explained how Adam's one sin brought condemnation and death to everyone, but now he's emphasizing that Christ's one act of righteousness brings justification and life to all who are united with Him. This verse serves as a pivotal summary, directly contrasting the devastating consequences of the first Adam's disobedience with the life-giving victory of the second Adam.
"Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men." — The verse highlights that while Adam's single act of sin brought condemnation upon all humanity, Christ's single act of righteousness accomplishes justification and life for all. This emphasizes the…
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Last reviewed October 2026