St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 5:12-21
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Paul has been explaining how believers are justified by faith in Christ rather than by works of the law. He established that both Jews and Gentiles are sinners needing God's righteousness, which comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul then addressed Abraham's faith as the model for justification, showing that Abraham was counted righteous before he was circumcised, making him the father of all who believe. He explained that justification brings peace with God and access to His grace, and that believers can rejoice even in suffering because God's love has been poured into their hearts through the Holy Spirit. Paul emphasized that Christ died for the ungodly at just the right time, demonstrating God's love while humanity was still sinful and hostile toward Him.
[12] Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— [13] (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. [14] Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. [15] But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. [16] And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. [17] For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) [18] Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. [19] For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. [20] Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, [21] so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.