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— for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when their 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.

Sin is insidious. It worms its way into our lives. It tricks and deceives. This is what Adam fell for when he ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Did he know he was sinning? Sure he did. He had a relationship with God, his creator. And God told him not to eat of that tree. But the crafty way in which the serpent (the Devil) enticed them is the insidious part of sin. One thing this passage deals with is the progression sin brings: Adam’s sin leads to Adam’s death; then all people forward were sinners and death came to all people through their sin. The second question Paul answers here is, was sin in the world before or after the law? It was in the world since Adam, so it was in the world before the Jewish Law. So how is it that people were sinners if the law did not point out their sin? The answer is here too: It was not taken into account by people before the law. So if it was not taken into account by people before the law, how can they be called sinners? This is because they have a conscience and they know good from evil, because God made them that way. We see this in the Old Testament in Genesis 20. Abraham was afraid of Abemelek, the King of Gerar (where he was staying), so he said that his beautiful wife was his sister. Abemelek took her as his wife, not knowing this. God intervened and kept him from sleeping with her. “Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her.” (Genesis 6:20) The point here is Abemelek was a pagan king, and he still had a conscience. God gave us all a conscience to guide us to know right from wrong. This is how death reigned when there was no law between the time of Adam and the time of Moses — sin was still present. God introduced the law in part to point out sin in the Jewish people and keep them from it. “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” ‭‭(I John‬ ‭3:4)‬

So sin was present before the law and led to death. And sin was brought to light with the law, and still led to death. Jesus said: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” ‭‭(John‬ ‭9:5‬) The Bible also says:‭ “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John‬ ‭14:6‬) Light gives life. Darkness delivers death. Sin keeps mankind in the darkness, away from God. As we shall see in the coming days, Jesus was God’s counter to a world trapped in the darkness of sin.

Lord thank you for this passage that clears up the truth about sin, our consciences, and the result of sin — death. I must understand the depth of my need for you and a Savior in order to be set free to live in the light. Thank you!