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.
“For Adam, sin came first… and then death. For us, it is the opposite: death, mortality, we inherit from Adam, and sin follows after.”
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.)
“As immortality is not the opposite and equal of mortality but far outstrips it, so that grace of Christ far excels our inheritance from Adam. For by grace not only is Adam’s offense covered and our bondage to death overthrown, but the sins of the whole world are covered as well. Justification through Christ far exceeds condemnation through Adam. As we all inherit Adam’s mortality, we all shall be raised to immortality. But the saving gift of Jesus Christ, though it is free, must be received through the life of faith. Thus, some shall be raised to life, others to condemnation.”
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.
“Paul contrasts Adam’s disobedience with Christ’s obedience. Mnay were made sinners refers to mortality and subjection to the law of sin, not to an inherited guilt or an inevitability of sin. However, the first thing damaged in Adam’s nature was his will, and in the death and corruption we inherit our will is also weakened.
In Christ are two wills, human and divine; His human will is obedient to His divine will. Through His obedience, His salvation brings healing to our will. Therefore, many – that is, those who believe in Christ – are made righteous and able by grace to participate willfully by faith in God’s righteousness.”
I have not put my words to this topic mostly because I’m sure I would cause more confusion than clarity, and also because it’s a fairly touchy topic, especially considering my background with reformed theology. I’m going to be posting another note in justification from an Orthodox perspective… a complete quotation from the Orthodox Study Bible in a little while.
