"Original Sin" in the Bible

While in Adam all die, in Christ, all shall be made alive

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

(1 Corinthians 15:22)

Notes

• Many Christians believe all people have inherited the sin of Adam and Eve, the “Original Sin,” and only those who believe in Christ are forgiven of this inherited sin.
• See Original Sin for the Bahá'í understanding of this verse.

Sin entered the world through one man and came to all people

"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—

"To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

"But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

"Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous."

(Romans 5:12-19)

Note

• This may be referring to the transmission of consequences (death) and the setting of a bad example rather than inherited sin.
• While Paul speaks of the sinful condition of the human race and connects it to the original transgression of Adam, he also insists that the result of sin (death) “spread to all people” not merely because of Adam’s sin but “because all people sinned.” (Romans 5:12)

(Paul indicates they were by nature deserving of wrath)

"All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath."

(Ephesians 2:3)

Note

• This "nature deserving of wrath" may refer to an acquired habitual nature.

(David mentions being sinful from birth)

"Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me."

(Psalm 51:5)

Note

• This may be a method of exaggerated emphasis (poetic hyperbole) (due to the context of profound repentance) or a description of being born into a sinful world.

The son will not be judged or die for the sins of his father and sin is not inherited

“But if this man begets a son who sees all the sins which his father has done, and fears, and does not do likewise ... he shall not die for his father’s iniquity, he shall surely live.”

(Ezekiel 18:14-17)

“Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father? When the son has done what is lawful and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. The soul that sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”

(Ezekiel 18:19-20)

All to be judged by what they have done

“The righteous judgment of God Who will render to every man according to his deeds.”

(Romans 2:5-6)

“All were judged by what they had done”

(Revelation 20:13)

Note

• I.e., at the last judgment, all men, whether they lived before Christ or after, would not be judged in context of original sin but by their deeds. As otherwise, those men who lived before Christ would have no hope of salvation under the doctrine of original sin.

See also

• Original Sin
• Redemption