Romans 5:15-19

¹⁵ “But the gracious gift is not like the offense. For if by the offense of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many. ¹⁶ The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one offense, resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the gracious gift arose from many offenses, resulting in justification. ¹⁷ For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. “So then, as through one offense the result was condemnation to all mankind, so also through one act of righteousness the result was justification of life to all mankind. ¹⁹ For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.”

This is a passage Christian universalists often cite in support of their argument that all of humanity is saved in Christ. However, Paul is not making such a statement. This is seen in verse 17: Only those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life. So, Paul is simply expressing the reality of humanity: Adam’s sin caused death to enter the world and Jesus’ finished work brings eternal life into the world. But God does not force Himself on anybody. He stands at the door and knocks hoping that we will receive Him into our hearts (Revelation 3:20)