Romans 5:12-19 or 5:12, 17-19
Chapter 5
Comparison Between Adam and Christ
Therefore, sin entered the world through one man; and through sin, death. Later on, death spread to all humankind because all sinned.As long as there was no law, they could not speak of disobedience, but sin was already present in the world.
This is why, from Adam to Moses, death ruled among them, even though their sin was not disobedience like in Adam’s case—this was not the real Adam, but a foreshadowing of the one who was to come.
This has been the fall, but God’s gift extends far beyond it. Everyone died because of one man’s fault, but how much greater is God’s grace when the gift he gave reaches everyone, through this unique man, Jesus Christ.
Again, there is no comparison between the gift and the offense of one man. One sinner committed the disobedience that brought condemnation, whereas the grace of God offers forgiveness to a world of sinners.
If death ruled because of the disobedience of one person, how much more will there be a reign of life for those who receive grace and the gift of true righteousness through Jesus Christ!
Just as one transgression brought sentence of death to all, so too, one man’s good act has brought justification and light to all;
and, as the disobedience of only one made all sinners, so the obedience of one person allowed all to be made just and holy.
The law, introduced later, led to an increase in sin; but where sin grew, grace abounded even more.
Just as sin caused death to rule, grace will reign in its own time. After making us just and friends of God, it will lead us to eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Commentaries
Comparison Between Adam and Christ.
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.