Romans 5:14 – The transgression of Adam 

Nevertheless death reigns from Adam unto Moses, over those also who do not sin in the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him Who is about to be.

That man was a sinner even before the giving of the law on Sinai is shown by the fact that man was already a mortal then. The period “from Adam unto Moses” lasted twenty-five hundred years and then also death reigned. In the absence of the law, man was not an transgressor, but he was definitely a mark-misser. Humanity is subject to death due to lack of vitality and life-force.

Not only since the legislation on Sinai is there talk of “transgression” (: 13). Paul also speaks of “the transgression of Adam”. After all, Adam had been told that he would not eat from “the tree of good and evil”. But since the commandment by definition actually stimulates the passions (7: 5), it was already certain in advance that man would “fall for it.” That was not unforeseen or a setback or a ‘factory error’. No, it was a ‘by design’ violation. For GOD had not put ‘his cards’ on Adam but on him of whom Adam is a type: the last Adam!

Delen: