In Adam All Die—The Spread of Sin (Chapter 6, Paragraph 2)

“Our first parents, by this sin, fell from their original righteousness and communion with God…”

The tragic result of the fall was immediate: Adam and Eve lost their original righteousness and the sweet fellowship they had with their Creator. They were driven from Eden, covered in shame, and spiritually separated from God. Their fall was not partial—it was a total moral collapse. They went from light to darkness, from innocence to guilt, from communion to alienation.

“…and we in them, whereby death came upon all…”

This short phrase—“and we in them”—summarizes the biblical doctrine of federal headship. Adam represented all of humanity. Romans 5:12 says, “just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to all men because all sinned.” We were in Adam legally and representatively. His guilt was counted as ours.

This may seem unfair to modern ears, but it is how God has chosen to deal with mankind—through representatives. And it is also the very principle by which we are saved. Just as Adam’s sin is imputed to us, Christ’s righteousness is imputed to His people.

“…all becoming dead in sin…”

We are not born neutral. We are born spiritually dead—unable to come to God, love God, or please Him. Ephesians 2:1 says, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked.” This spiritual death is universal. No culture, no education, no self-effort can reverse it. We must be born again by the Spirit.

“…and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.”

This describes what theologians call total depravity. It doesn’t mean we are as bad as we could be, but that sin has corrupted every part of our being—our mind, our will, our emotions, our desires, and even our bodies. There is no island of purity left untouched by the fall. Our thinking is darkened, our affections are disordered, and our wills are bent toward rebellion.

This is why we cannot save ourselves. Left to ourselves, we will never choose God. John 6:44 says, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” We are dependent on divine grace.

Application for the Believer:

Understanding our solidarity in Adam should drive us to humility. We were born guilty and corrupt—not merely sick, but spiritually dead. This means salvation is all of grace. It’s not that God helps those who help themselves; it’s that God gives life to the dead. Praise Him for the second Adam—Jesus Christ—who obeyed where Adam failed and gives His righteousness to all who believe. Let this truth anchor your hope and fuel your evangelism. Every person you meet is either in Adam or in Christ. Urge them, and remind yourself: only in Christ is there life.