Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned-, (17) For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. (18) Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in the justification of life. (19) For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

The letter to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul. In our verses today Paul addresses physical and spiritual death in Adam contrasting with spiritual life in Christ Jesus. The whole history of man can be summed up in terms of Adam’s sin and what has happened and will happen in Christ.

Adam’s sin is imputed to us all and all men sinned. (There goes the immaculate conception). The reason death comes to us all is not because of our sins but because of Adam’s imputed sin to us. Because of Adam man died both physical and spiritual death and was separated from God. And the reason there is eternal life is not because of our good works but because of Christ’s righteous act imputed to the faithful by free grace. God, in Christ does not just forgive our sins, He bestows the righteousness of Christ on the faithful. Paul is NOT teaching that ALL men will be saved but that all in faith in Christ will be saved; the restorative/transformative effects of justification in Christ overcome the effects of the fall. Adam affected all people; Christ’s obedience affects all believers.

My favorite verse in Romans (8:1) sums up the the certain hope in Christ: “There is now no condemnation to those who Are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” In Christ God is at peace with us.