Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

ROMANS 5:18KJV
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Romans 5:18 (KJV)

What does Romans 5:18 mean?

Romans 5:18 says that just as one person's wrongdoing brought judgment and condemnation to everyone, so also one person's righteous act brought a free gift that leads to justification and life for everyone. The verse draws a direct comparison between the effects of Adam's sin and Jesus Christ's act of righteousness.

Paul is writing to believers in Rome, explaining how the actions of two individuals—Adam and Jesus—had consequences for all humanity. In this verse, Paul highlights the sweeping impact of both condemnation through Adam and justification through Christ, showing the parallel between the two and emphasizing the completeness of what Christ has done.

The Greek behind Romans 5:18

  • παράπτωμα (paraptōma, G3900) — "offence": This word refers to a misstep or wrongdoing, often understood as a serious error or sin. Here, it points to Adam's act that led to widespread consequences.
  • δικαίωμα (dikaiōma, G1345) — "righteousness": This Greek term means a righteous act or deed. In this context, it highlights the single, decisive action of Jesus that brings justification.
  • κατάκριμα (katakrima, G2631) — "condemnation": This word means a judicial verdict of guilt, emphasizing the seriousness of the result from Adam's offence.
  • δικαίωσις (dikaiōsis, G1347) — "justification": This term refers to being declared righteous or acquitted, showing the positive outcome of Christ's act for all who receive it.

Why Romans 5:18 matters

  • Romans 5:18 clarifies that the scope of Adam's sin and Christ's righteousness both extend to all humanity, but with opposite effects—condemnation versus justification.
  • The verse helps explain the larger argument Paul is making about the universality of sin and the universal offer of salvation, connecting individual actions to their cosmic consequences.
  • Understanding the parallel Paul draws here helps readers see the depth of what Christ accomplished, not just undoing Adam's wrong but offering a new kind of life.

Where else these words appear

“justification” Greek G1347 · used in 2 verses

  • Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

“condemnation” Greek G2631 · used in 3 verses

  • Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
  • Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

“righteousness” Greek G1345 · used in 10 verses

  • Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
  • Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
  • Hebrews 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

“offence” Greek G3900 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
  • Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.