Hi John
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Your translation avoids the complex link word usually translated “inasmuch” (death spread to all men inasmuch as all men sinned)

Most translations simply say ‘because’, however I think the ‘inasmuch’ puts my my case even more strongly. Only to the extent that all men have sinned themselves does the death spread to all men. ‘Inasmuch’ strictly limits any claim we make about Adam’s sin hitting the rest of the world, only those who sin themselves are covered by what Paul is talking about.

In Rom 5:12 Paul gives a detailed step by step exposition of how Adam’s sin effects the world. Then in each of verses 15-19, Paul compares an aspect of Adam’s fall with Jesus’ victory. Now in these verses, is Paul extending what he says in verse 12? If he is he doesn’t give his usual (confusing) step by step explanation. Or does verse 12 explain more clearly the aspects he touches on in vs 15-19? How is it ‘death ruled through that One Man’ verse 12 tells us ‘sin came into the world through one man … death spread to all men insasmuch as all sinned’. It seems to me Paul is taking his analysis from verse 12 and comparing it to what we have in Jesus.

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Likewise Romans 5.12-21 as a whole is indicating that the Many (the Human Race) were made into “sinners” - those without the power to Live free of Rebellion - by the action of the One Man

OK no problem with that. Since the fall the human race seems to have a certain propensity for sin.

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In other words, “sin reigned through death” indicates that it was precisely because the world had come under the power of Death, that men inevitably sinned.

Ah now you turn it back to front again. No it’s because men sin that we are under the power of death.

Did sin reign through death as (what version are you using anyway?) did sin reign in death (more literal but what does it mean?) or did sin reign unto death. Even your reigned through death can be taken two ways. As you say, it could mean sin has become irresistible because death has taken a hold on the human race, or it could simply mean that death is the terrible power sin wields over those who become its slaves. The problem is, Paul’s use of the preposition en is rather vague to say anything precise. I think we should interpret this verse in terms of more specific statements elsewhere in the letter.

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This is made clear by 5.14: death ruled even over those who didn’t actually transgress a specific command, as Adam did. Death and Sin in this passage enjoy a certain synonymity, as far as I can tell.

Romans 5:14 doesn’t say people did not sin before the time of Moses, just that without a law there was no way to keep a precise account of the sin. Verse 13 makes it clear people did sin before Moses, if fact it is very clear throughout the book of Genesis, from sin crouching at Cain’s door to Joseph forgiving his brothers for their sins against him. I see no reason to understand death’s reign any differently here. All men died inasmuch as all men sinned. They were the same as the Gentiles Paul talked about in Rom 2:14 who show they are aware of God’s law in their hearts even though they have not heard of the ten commandments. People know in their hearts what is wrong, do it anyway, and die.

Are death and sin synonymous? Yes Paul uses the two terms interchangeably, but only because one leads so inextricably to the other. If you confuse them, your analysis may be missing the deadly relationship between the two.

I think Paul explains this very clearly in Romans 7:9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.
Notice #1 Paul is not talking about physical death here but something spiritual because he was still alive when he wrote this verse.
#2 Paul was not dead or ‘under the power of death’ as a child before he understood it was wrong to covet. He was alive, alive in the same sense that he wasn’t alive after he sinned. The death that came in when he sinned, which is the ‘Adamic fall’ death all men died because all men sinned, did not have a hold of Paul before he sinned, only after.

I must give you my own take on the atonement, rather than me sniping at your all the time! But seriously I would appreciate you views. I don’t know how long it will take to put it together though. I will try to keep it short.

Yours Deacon

PS how do you do quotes?