Paul now explains the freedom from sin and death through a grand comparison between Adam and Christ. Adam is the origin of sinful humanity. This isn’t about personal sins but about our mysterious participation in the original sin of the first man, regardless of individual actions. We all inherit Adam’s sin and, as a result, death, “since all have sinned” (12). However, this idea of “original sin” can only be understood in relation to the reality of corporate solidarity, which connects humanity to Christ’s redemptive act. Paul then introduces the other central figure in human history, the one he cares about most: Christ. But these two figures are not equal. In fact, there’s no real comparison because the dominance of Adam in crime and death is entirely overshadowed by the abundance of the gift and “favor of one man, Jesus Christ” (15). When the Apostle compares them by describing Adam as a “figure” of Christ, it’s mainly to emphasize the stark contrast between the two. St. Augustine famously captured Paul’s startling message with a provocative statement: “O happy fault!” -Blessed Sin- that has brought us such a Savior.