What is the sin that entered the world through Adam?

Question:

What is the sin that entered the world through Adam?

Some Christians believe that the sin that entered through Adam is sexual sin. Without studying and knowing the Scriptures, these Christians believe that sexual intercourse is a sin. In the article “Why Did God Create Sex?” it is clearly argued that sexual intercourse is not a consequence of Adam’s sin. If sexual intercourse is not a sin, what is the sin that entered the world through Adam.

In the Epistle to Romans 5:11-21, the apostle Paul explains in contrast and by comparison the sin of Adam and the grace of God through Jesus Christ, as well as their effects on mankind, so he explains the history of redemption.

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned— for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not counted against anyone when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the violation committed by Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the gracious gift is not like the offense. For if by the offense of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many. The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one offense, resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the gracious gift arose from many offenses, resulting in justification. For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. So then, as through one offense the result was condemnation to all mankind, so also through one act of righteousness the result was justification of life to all mankind. For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. The Law came in so that the offense would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, so also grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:12-21 NASB)

The apostle Paul teaches us that all men are in a relationship with one of the two men, whose action determines the eternal destiny of all who belong to them. Either you belong to Adam and you are condemned to death because of his sin and disobedience, or you belong to Christ and have the gift of forgiveness and eternal life, because you obey Him.

Man is born with sin, with a sinful nature that has been blamed on us because of our position in Adam. The book of Genesis 3 tells us of the event of the fall into sin by man, who was created to obey and glorify God.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening and there was morning, one day. Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” God made the expanse, and separated the waters that were below the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse; and it was so. God called the expanse “heaven.” And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. (Genesis 1:1-8 NASB)

When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of good and evil, disobeyed their Creator, and died spiritually, sin entered the world, and with it the death that befell all mankind, for all men come from Adam and Eve.

and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation. (Acts 17:26 NASB)

Thus, the sinful nature of Adam and Eve was imputed to us, to all people who came out of Adam alone. So, Adam’s sin corrupted human nature and made it inevitable for man not to sin, and so no one escapes the reign of death, because no one can escape the power of sin through personal effort. Therefore, man’s reluctance to obey God’s will is also due to the sinful nature inherited from Adam. Paul continues, “By one mistake came condemnation / death” (Romans 5:18). All are condemned in Adam, because all have sinned in him.

But the word of God does not leave us without hope, but encourages us by the grace of God brought by the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The grace of God has brought a decision of forgiveness and the gift of righteousness that reigns in the life of the righteous through Jesus Christ. I belong to Christ, but to whom do you belong?

I recommend that you study the courses “Precept Upon Precept Inductive Studies about the Book of Romans Part I, II, and III.”

I recommend that you watch Lesson 8 of Romans, which deals with “Man in Adam and Man in Christ,” taught by Mia and Costel Oglice.

Translated by Didina Vicliuc