“12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned. 13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a type of the Coming One.”
Recalling the last few devotionals, you’ll remember that Paul has been comparing Adam in the Garden of Eden (the first Adam, the Adam who was given life, the Adam who brought sin and death to his children) with Jesus Christ (the last Adam, the Adam who is the giver of life, the Adam who brings salvation and eternal life to His children). In verses 13-14, Paul will continue this discussion.
You’ll remember back in chapter 2, Paul spent time speaking about the law and how the law brings knowledge of sin. Our verses today offer some additional thoughts on this. “In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law.” (v. 13) Paul explains that sin did indeed exist before the law was handed down to Moses on Mount Sinai. Adam transgressed God’s one and only prohibition. This is sin. Cain sinned when he murdered Abel. Noah sinned when he became drunk and was naked in his tent. Ham sinned when he disrespected his father and uncovered his nakedness. And so on, yet verse 13 goes on to say something interesting: “…Sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law.” (v. 13b) So was none of the sin from Adam to Moses charged to the people who committed the transgression? First, let’s make a distinction, the text says that sin was not charged to a person’s account during this period, not that they weren’t sinning or that they weren’t aware of their sin. Remember back in chapter 1 Paul says that no one is without excuse because God has made Himself plainly known to them through what He has made and through His invisible attributes. (See Romans 1:18-21) Furthermore, the Gentiles, who do not have the law, show that the law is written on their hearts when their consciences convict them of wrongdoing. (See Romans 2:14-15) So this does not mean that there was no sin or that people had no knowledge of their sinful conduct. This verse speaks solely to their liability for their sin. God, during the period from Adam to Moses, did not charge their sin to their account. Where there is no law to enforce punishment for sin, sin cannot be charged to a person’s account.
Even though sin was not charged to their accounts, all people within this period still faced the consequences of sin. How do we know? Because they all still faced death! “Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression.” (v. 14a) Why is that? If God did not charge their sin to their account, how is it just that they received the consequence of sin: death? This is to prove Paul’s greater point in this section: The actions of one person can affect generations. Every single person that would come
from the loins of Adam, that is, every single human being, is guilty of sin because of the sin committed by our father Adam. In the same way, every single person who repents and believes on Jesus Christ can see their guilt removed and righteousness imputed to them by faith because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. More on that in the following devotionals.