Romans 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.”

Context:To understand Romans 5:18 better, let’s look at the surrounding verses. In Romans 5:12-17, Paul contrasts the effects of Adam’s sin and Jesus’ righteousness. Adam’s sin brought condemnation and death to all humanity, while Jesus’ sacrifice brought justification and life to all who believe in Him.

Offense of One:Paul begins by referring to the “offence of one,” which is Adam’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6). Through Adam’s sin, judgment came upon all humanity, and the consequence was condemnation. This emphasises the universal impact of sin and the resulting separation from God.

Righteousness of One:Paul contrasts Adam’s offense with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The “one” here refers to Jesus Christ, who, through His obedience and sacrificial death on the cross, provided redemption and reconciliation with God. Jesus’ righteousness stands in stark contrast to Adam’s sin, offering hope and a way to be justified before God.

Free Gift and Justification of Life:Paul highlights that the righteousness of Jesus is not earned but received as a free gift. Just as condemnation came upon all humanity through Adam’s sin, the free gift of justification and life is made available to all through Jesus Christ. Justification refers to being declared righteous by God, and it is through faith in Jesus that believers receive this gift and are reconciled to God, obtaining eternal life.