New Testament

Romans 5:18

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, Paul explains the contrast between Adam's sin and Christ's righteousness.

Author
Paul the apostle
Written
Around AD 57
Genre
Letter (epistle)
Original Audience
Christians in Rome
CBTClear Bible Translation

Therefore, just as one offense brought condemnation for all people, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all people.

KJVKing James Version

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.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Paul explains the contrast between Adam's sin and Christ's righteousness. Adam's single act of disobedience led to condemnation for all humanity, meaning that everyone is affected by sin and its consequences. In contrast, Jesus' one act of righteousness—His sacrifice—offers justification and life to all people. This means that through faith in Christ, individuals can be declared righteous and receive eternal life, overcoming the condemnation that came through Adam. The verse emphasizes the universal impact of both Adam's sin and Christ's redemptive work, highlighting the hope and grace available to everyone through Jesus. Explore related fear.

Related topics

fear, strength, forgiveness

How to apply Romans 5:18 to your life

This verse encourages us to recognize the seriousness of sin and its consequences, but also the incredible gift of grace through Jesus. We should embrace this gift by placing our faith in Christ, which leads to justification and a transformed life. Sharing this message of hope can help others understand the importance of faith in overcoming sin.

Curated for this public verse page. Romans Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Romans 5:18 mean?

Romans 5:18 explains the contrast between Adam's sin and Christ's righteousness. It states that Adam's disobedience brought condemnation to all people, while Jesus' righteous act offers justification and life to everyone.

What is the significance of 'one offense' in Romans 5:18?

The 'one offense' refers to Adam's sin, which resulted in condemnation for all humanity. This highlights how a single act of disobedience can have widespread consequences.

What does 'one act of righteousness' refer to in Romans 5:18?

The 'one act of righteousness' refers to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, which provides justification and eternal life to all who believe in Him, countering the condemnation from Adam's sin.

How does Romans 5:18 relate to the concept of grace?

Romans 5:18 illustrates grace by showing that despite the universal impact of sin from Adam, Jesus' sacrifice offers a free gift of justification and life to everyone, emphasizing God's mercy.

The Book of Romans
Book Summary

The Book of Romans

Romans 1: Paul's Greeting and the Wrath of God Against Ungodliness

Paul introduces himself as a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle and separated to preach the gospel of God. He says this gospel concerns God's Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who is made of the seed of David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead. Paul explains that through Christ he receives grace and apostleship to bring about obedience of faith among all nations. He addresses the believers in Rome as those loved by God and called to be saints, and he gives thanks for their faith, which is spoken of throughout the whole world. He tells them he prays continually to visit them and longs to see them so he may share a spiritual gift and be comforted together with them by mutual faith.

Premium

Unlock the full Romans summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Romans — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 16 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Romans summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

or

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.