Romans 5:18So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life.
The setting
Rome, ~57 AD. Paul concludes his comparison with breathtaking scope — ALL humanity condemned, ALL humanity offered justification. Roman class distinctions crumble before this truth...
The emotion here: overwhelmed by the cosmic scope of God's redemptive plan
The original word
dikaiōsis (δικαίωσις) — legal declaration of righteousness, acquittal in God's court
Why it matters
This verse was central to the Reformation debate about universal atonement versus limited atonement
Read with care
What most readers miss in Romans 5:18
Paul uses 'all men' twice — the same scope that received condemnation receives justification. Nobody is excluded from the offer.
Common misconceptionMany think this teaches universalism — that all will be saved. Paul shows the SCOPE of the offer ('all men'), not automatic salvation. The gift is available to all, but must be received.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Romans 5:18
Bible Genome reading
Romans 5:18 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Romans 5:18 comes from the book of Romans, written during the early_church period. These words are attributed to Paul. The dominant emotion in this verse is grateful, with a comfort power of 90% and a tone that is reverent. It belongs to the teaching genre of biblical literature. Key themes include universal scope, justification, Adam Christ. Notable phrases: one trespass; all men condemned; justified. This verse contains a promise of God.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grateful
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
— John 3:16
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.”
— 2 Timothy 4:7
“It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.'”
— Acts 2:21
“for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”
— Ephesians 2:8
“So now it wasn't you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land o…”
— Genesis 45:8
Your reflection
What does Romans 5:18 mean to you, today?
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