Romans 5:12–21

Perhaps the apostle Peter had Romans 5:12-21 in mind when he wrote regarding Paul’s letters that “some things [are] hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16). But the complications that surround these verses are minimized if we keep two thoughts in mind. First, Paul was concluding this inital major section of the letter by summing up the first five chapters. That explains why he mentioned condemnation in Adam (Romans 1-3) and justification in Christ (Romans 3-5). Second, the main idea in 5:12-21 is restated in 5:16. Paul’s overarching point is clear: the grace brought to us by justification through Christ is far superior to the guilt brought to us by condemnation through Adam.

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