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Romans 5 · a question people ask

"so death passed to all men because all sinned" (5:12). How did death pass to all?

In the text

The chapter says it in its own words: "Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death passed to all men because all sinned." (5:12). The verses that follow (5:13-19) go on to speak of Adam and of "the one man, Jesus Christ" (5:15), and they don't explain further how death "passed to all men". Christians have read 5:12 in more than one way; these notes give the words and choose no reading.

From Favor's study of Romans 5

Romans 5: While we were yet sinners

Romans 5 says reigned or reign five times, the same Greek verb each time: death reigned (5:14, 5:17), those who receive the abundance of grace will "reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ" (5:17), and "as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life" (5:21).

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Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions