How Paradise Was Ruined: A Biblical Examination of Sin's Entrance into the World

Welcome back to our blog, where we dive deep into the unchanging truths of Scripture. Today, we're exploring a foundational passage from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans—specifically Romans 5:12-14. This text lays bare the tragic reality of how paradise, God's perfect creation, was utterly ruined by sin. As fundamentalist Christians, we hold to the literal interpretation of the Bible, rejecting any attempts to mythologize or allegorize these events. Let's unpack this verse by verse, drawing in additional Scriptures to illuminate the depth of this doctrine and its implications for our lives today.

The Entry of Sin and Death Through One Man

Romans 5:12 states: "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." This "one man" is Adam, as described in Genesis 3. In the Garden of Eden, God created a flawless paradise: "The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food" (Genesis 2:9). Adam and Eve lived in perfect harmony with God, free from pain, death, or shame. But when the serpent tempted Eve, and Adam chose to disobey God's direct command—"You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" (Genesis 2:17)—sin crashed into existence.

This wasn't just a personal failure; it was a cataclysmic event. As our federal head, Adam's sin imputed guilt to all humanity. We see this echoed in 1 Corinthians 15:22: "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." Death—physical, spiritual, and eternal—became the wages of sin (Romans 6:23). Every graveyard, every disease, every broken relationship stems from this moment. Paradise wasn't gradually eroded; it was ruined in an instant by rebellion against a holy God.

Sin's Presence Before the Law

Moving to Romans 5:13: "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." From Adam to Moses, there was no Mosaic Law, yet sin raged unchecked. Think of Cain's murder of Abel (Genesis 4:8), the wickedness that led to the global flood in Noah's time (Genesis 6:5-7), or the tower of Babel's prideful defiance (Genesis 11). Sin didn't need tablets of stone to thrive; it was inherent in fallen human nature.

David captures this in Psalm 51:5, confessing after his own sin: "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." This original sin doctrine explains why even infants die or why suffering afflicts the seemingly innocent. Without the law, sin wasn't formally "imputed," but its deadly effects were evident. As James 1:15 warns, "After desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

Death's Reign and the Promise of Redemption

Romans 5:14 concludes: "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." Death ruled supreme, not because everyone sinned exactly like Adam, but because his transgression represented us all. Yet, here's the glimmer of hope: Adam is a "pattern" or type of Christ, the "one to come." Where Adam brought condemnation, Jesus brings justification (Romans 5:18-19).

This points forward to the gospel. In Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul reminds us we were "dead in [our] transgressions and sins," but God "made us alive with Christ" (Ephesians 2:5). The ruin of paradise drives us to the Savior. And ultimately, Revelation 21:1-4 promises restoration: "Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth,' for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away... He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Living in Light of the Fall

As believers, this truth humbles us and calls us to action. We must reject worldly philosophies like evolution, which posit death before sin, contradicting Genesis 1:31 where God declared creation "very good." Instead, teach your families the literal six-day creation and the historical fall. Mortify sin daily, as Colossians 3:5 urges: "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature." And share the good news—paradise lost can be regained through faith in Jesus.

In a culture that denies sin's reality, let's stand firm on Scripture. Paradise was ruined, but God's redemptive plan is unbreakable. What are your thoughts? Share in the comments below, and let's discuss how this impacts our witness today.

DMMC 10-1-25