“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12 NIV).
Some view the Biblical account of Adam and Eve as nothing more than a myth that purports to explain the origin of humanity. But before we embrace that narrative, let’s first consider Jesus’ perspective on that view. For instance…
- Jesus affirmed the historical validity of Adam and Eve in Matthew 19:4-6 and Mark 10:6–9. He also referenced Abel, a son of Adam and Eve, by name in Luke 11:51.
- Jesus subsequently validated His teachings (including His perspective concerning Adam and Eve) through His miraculous works and His resurrection from the dead (John 20).
Thus, we can accept Adam’s literal, historic reality (as well as the analogy that follows in Romans 5:12-21) on the basis of Jesus’ testimony.
In order to fully appreciate this contrast between the first and second Adam from Romans chapter five, it may prove useful to start at the beginning of Adam’s Biblical account and work our way back. We can start with Genesis chapter one and the origins of the human family…
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:26-27).
Later we’re told, “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 NIV). So, God’s initial assessment of His creation (including humanity) was “very good.” He then issued the following directive to the man He created…
“…’You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it, you will surely die’” (Genesis 2:16-17 NIV).
Unfortunately, the first human couple elected to disobey those instructions, as most of us are well aware. That deliberate act of disobedience severed the relationship Adam once enjoyed with his Creator- and things were no longer very good.
The Scriptures characterize this state as a form of death. This differed from the type of death that we commonly associate with those who pass from this life. While physical death eventually came to Adam, the immediate result was spiritual death, or separation from God.
We’ll next consider how that single act of disobedience impacts us today.