Romans 5:14
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλ'
Nevertheless
G235
ἀλλ'
Nevertheless
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θάνατος
death
G2288
θάνατος
death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
4 of 24
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
5 of 24
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
Ἀδάμ
Adam
G76
Ἀδάμ
Adam
Strong's:
G76
Word #:
6 of 24
adam, the first man; typically (of jesus) man (as his representative)
μέχρι
to
G3360
μέχρι
to
Strong's:
G3360
Word #:
7 of 24
as far as, i.e., up to a certain point (as a preposition, of extent (denoting the terminus, whereas g0891 refers especially to the space of time or pl
Μωσέως
Moses
G3475
Μωσέως
Moses
Strong's:
G3475
Word #:
8 of 24
moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver
καὶ
even
G2532
καὶ
even
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπὶ
after
G1909
ἐπὶ
after
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
10 of 24
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
12 of 24
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἁμαρτήσαντας
sinned
G264
ἁμαρτήσαντας
sinned
Strong's:
G264
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin
ἐπὶ
after
G1909
ἐπὶ
after
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
14 of 24
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἀδάμ
Adam
G76
Ἀδάμ
Adam
Strong's:
G76
Word #:
19 of 24
adam, the first man; typically (of jesus) man (as his representative)
ὅς
who
G3739
ὅς
who
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
20 of 24
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τύπος
the figure
G5179
τύπος
the figure
Strong's:
G5179
Word #:
22 of 24
a die (as struck), i.e., (by implication) a stamp or scar; by analogy, a shape, i.e., a statue, (figuratively) style or resemblance; specially, a samp
Cross References
1 Corinthians 15:45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.Hebrews 9:27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:Romans 5:17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)Romans 8:22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.Genesis 7:22All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.Romans 5:21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.Romans 8:20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,Genesis 19:25And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.Genesis 4:8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.Jonah 4:11And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?
Historical Context
Paul's Adam-Christ typology became foundational for Christian theology. The church fathers used it to explain the incarnation's necessity: only a new Adam could undo the first Adam's work. Where Adam failed in the garden, Christ succeeded in Gethsemane; where Adam's disobedience brought curse, Christ's obedience brought blessing. This typology appears throughout Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:22, 45-49) and informs doctrines of original sin, federal representation, and Christ's active obedience.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Adam being a 'type' of Christ teach about God's plan from creation for salvation through representative headship?
- How does federal headship (one person's act affecting many) challenge Western individualism that rejects corporate solidarity?
- If you accept being affected by Adam's sin, on what grounds would you reject the offer of being affected by Christ's righteousness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression—death's universal reign proves universal guilt. Even those who didn't commit explicit transgression παράβασις (parabasis, 'violation of known command') like Adam (Genesis 2:17) still died, demonstrating inherited Adamic guilt and corruption. The verb ἐβασίλευσεν (ebasileusen, 'reigned') personifies death as a tyrant exercising dominion.
Who is the figure of him that was to come—Adam is τύπος (typos, 'type/pattern/foreshadowing') of Christ. Federal headship unites the two: Adam's one act affects all his descendants, Christ's one act affects all His people. But the analogy is one of contrast (verses 15-19 emphasize 'not as... so also...'): Adam brought condemnation, Christ brings justification; Adam's act resulted in death's reign, Christ's in grace reigning through righteousness.