Adam’s sin led to condemnation for everyone. Christ’s death allows many to be justified and to live in a way God desires.
The one transgression (trespass) that Paul is referring to is the sin of Adam when he ate the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Through this trespass (sin) from Adam, sin entered the world and spread to every single person from then on, which resulted in condemnation to all men.
Just as sin entered the world through Adam’s action, Jesus’ death on the cross allows all people to be justified through faith. Through one act of righteousness there resulted justification to of life to all men. This is what Paul is talking about in verse 15 when he says that the free gift of grace covers every single person if they believe. Through the one man’s (Adam’s) disobedience many were made sinner. Unlike Adam’s sin, Jesus’ sacrifice is a gift that we can accept or reject. By Christ’s obedience, we are reconciled with God and given the power to live righteously through faith. Through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. Christ has opened up the door to living the life God wants us to live, the newness of life. We are made righteous by walking by faith daily, by obeying God’s will for our lives, and living and suffering like Christ did. This is possible by the obedience of one man (Jesus Christ).
Biblical Text
18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
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