Does Romans 5:12 speak of spiritual death or physical death?

   I have been taught that Romans 5 has to do with physical death. However, upon further examination, I would have to disagree. I believe it has to do with spiritual death and I will explain why.

   We must first understand that “spiritual death” simply means a “moral and relational” separation from God,” which comes about by sinning and never has to do with infants or our state of birth. We do not come into this world morally and relationally separated from God, or as taught, “born spiritually dead.”

Question: How do you explain the fact that humans die?

Answer: As stated in another chapter, man physically dies because they do not have access to the tree of life.

   The common assumption suggests that Adam, at his creation, possessed immortality and the potential for eternal life, provided he refrained from sin.  However, Adam was created mortal which means there was a possibility that death could take him. Adam was made from dirt, a very unstable material to say the least. Gen. 2:7 states:

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

   He was earthy:

The first man is from the earth, earthy…(1 Cor. 15:47)

   According to science, there are 59 elements found in the human body are all found on the earth's crust. The same elements of the earth are the same elements that make up our body.

   In Genesis 2:9 we read:

And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

   In Genesis 2:16 Adam was told he could freely eat from every tree in the garden except for one. But as the story goes, Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree. In Genesis 3:22-24, we see where Adam and Eve no longer had access to the tree of life in the garden. Cherubims with flaming swords kept guard to keep them away from that tree. Genesis 3:22 states:

But they must not be allowed to eat fruit from the tree that lets them live forever.

   The only assurance they had to immortality was their access to the tree of life, which proves that Adam and Eve were not immortal beings. If Adam had to eat from the tree of life to become immortal, then he was created mortal to begin with!

   Therefore, when they sinned, their human nature did not change. What happened is that they began to experience the dying process, physically, because they no longer had access to the tree of life.

   Considering the LORD God made Adam from the dust of the earth, a natural man (Gen. 2:7; 1 Cor. 15:54), corruptible, with the law of cells dying and having to be replaced by new cells, to digest food and eliminate it, he would need food to sustain his body. That tree of life is what sustained Adam’s, as well as Eve’s, natural body from dying. The fact that they had to be excluded from the tree of life to prevent them from living forever, suggests that it was of such nature to have this continuing function. What sustained their physical life was their partaking of the tree of life, not merely once, but on a regular basis. There is nothing mystical about Adam.

   Therefore, because of Adam’s disobedience, the LORD God denied him access to the tree of life and thus eventually became subject to physical death, as well as to the rest of his posterity. This would also include Jesus who is part of the human race.

   Jesus also suffered the consequences of Adam’s disobedience. Like all humans, he was corruptible (but not corrupted), he had cells that died and reproduced. Hunger, thirst, fatigue, and the need for rest were all part of his human experience. Just as ordinary individuals do, Jesus also underwent the process of aging.  He was in all ways like us. (Heb. 2:14; 17) If Jesus were allowed to live to be an old man, he would have died of old age.

   We are told it is God alone who has immortality (1 Tim. 6:16). This means that Jesus the Messiah was not God, but a mortal man like us, capable of experiencing death, which he did! God cannot die; human beings die.

   Now, if we are to believe that it is “physical death” that is referred to in Romans 5:12 as a result of Adam’s sin, then it can no longer be a result from “personal” sin. In Romans 5:12 it states:

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

   If this is referring to physical death, then this also includes Jesus as a sinner, because if Jesus were not killed, he would have eventually died. He would have experienced natural death.

   The death in Romans 5:12 has to do with personal transgression, “for ALL (not just Adam) have sinned.” The word “have” indicates an activity on every individual’s part since sin is voluntary. All that have sinned are the ones who have sinned.

   So the type of death that comes upon individuals for their own personal sin is not physical death (all are going to eventually die physically anyway), but spiritual (Eze. 18:4, 20). This spiritual death, meaning a severed relationship with God, comes by personal disobedience to light. (James. 4:17; Heb. 7:26; 1John 1:5) It is this type of death that passes upon all men, for that all have sinned (v.12). (Also, it does not say, “All sinned in Adam” - Latin Vulgate, Ambrose-Augustine). This is why there was a group of people who were spiritually dead between Adam and Moses (v.14). So death (spiritual) still reigned over those who had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression (v.14). They were sinning against the law of their conscience (James 4:17).

   I hope you are following me so far. Believe me. It took me some time for this to sink in because what is commonly taught today.

   Remember that sin is optional, not a necessity of nature. When Adam sinned, nothing in his nature changed. Adam was capable of sinning and did not need a sin nature to sin. There is also nothing stated about the physics of his nature being corrupted with a substance called sin that passed onto his posterity. It is well established that sin is not a substance, but a transgression.

   All who choose to sin severe their relationship with God (spiritually). But just as a person may choose to sin (which we all have) they must also choose to stop the evil habits they have created in their own lives. This is possible through the freedom of the will and God-given nature (Ecc. 7:29; Rom. 2:14). If sin were physical this would not be true. Again, how can a person feel responsible for something that does not spring from his choice but rather governs his choice? Sin is a moral issue so the person’s will is always in play, always able to choose vice or virtue, otherwise, we are robots.

   Michael Pearl, a fundamentalist pastor, as well as others, teaches that Roman 5:12 is referring to [physical] death and that [physical] death is the condemnation that went out upon all of Adam’s descendants. Again, we must include Jesus in this picture, and include him as a sinner because of Adam, because natural death would have taken him if he had continued to live to be an old man. But Romans 5:12 is speaking of a death that comes upon all men because of their own personal transgression. It is only upon a person who sins that have condemnation (Eze. 18:4,20; Eph. 5:5-7) since condemnation and justification are completely conditioned upon a person’s personal choices, not Adam’s.

   Those who decide by freewill to follow Adam’s example are spiritually dead in their sins (i.e. separated from God relationally Isa. 59:2), without righteousness (Rom. 6:20) and will be destroyed (2Thess.1:9; Rev.21:8). But, those who choose to follow Christ’s example will be spiritually alive (reconciled relationally to God - Rom. 5:10; Col. 1:21-22) and will receive eternal life in the kingdom to come, a life of immortality.

   Now here is where we need to be very careful. If Paul were not speaking of spiritual death (relational separation) in Rom. 5:12, he would then be teaching what is known as “positional righteousness” in Romans chapters 6, 7, 8.

   WHY? (Pay close attention because here it is.)

For he who has DIED has been freed from sin.” (Rom. 6:6-7)

   The problem is, if Paul were referring to [physical] death in Rom. 5:12, then he is also referring to [physical] death here in Rom. 6. Therefore, Paul would have been teaching (which he did not) that a person must [physically] die to be “freed from sin!” Exactly what most churches teach to this day! They teach that we do not get rid of the sin (the sin nature that causes us to sin) until it is cleansed, and that does not happen until we die! This then makes Rom. 6, 7, 8 all POSITIONAL, rather than PRACTICAL. This is a very dangerous teaching! (It is the backbone for the teaching of Once saved, always saved.)

Likewise, you also reckon yourselves dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 6:11)

   According to Calvinism, “reckon yourselves dead indeed to sin” must be done positionally since sin will be with you until you [physically] die according to Michael Pearl and many others who teach the physical death position. (Rom. 6:7)

   The question must be asked, “How can someone be ‘set free from sin’ (Rom. 6:18), but still NOT be set free from sin, since you have yet to [physically] die (Rom. 6:7)?” This is where “Christ’s imputed righteousness” comes into play (see chapter 18). Romans 7:5, and 14-25 must also all be taken in positionally since you must [physically] die to be “free from sin.” (Many use Romans 7 for the excuse that they cannot stop sinning. They cannot help but sin every day in thought, word and deed!)

   Michael Pearl rejects Rom. 7:14-23 as being the normal Christian life (since it was directed at unsaved Jews, Rom. 7:1, and I agree), but by teaching there is only one type of death in the scriptures (i.e., physical), he cancels out his commentary and refutes his own position of Paul’s penmanship. How? Simple. By teaching that Rom. 5:12 is speaking of [physical] death necessitates Rom. 6:7 to be speaking about [physical death]. Pearl rejects the sin nature (and I do as well), but His position on the meaning of “death” leaves the supposed “sin nature” in tack (somehow) since you cannot be freed from sin until you [physically] die!

   This is where I see a problem with a teacher who rejects original sin and holds on to the doctrine of Jesus’ imputed righteousness. The bible never says we are imputed with Jesus’ righteousness. Remember, moral conduct cannot be transferred.

   Pearl’s rejection of original sin but acceptance of imputed righteousness would be like me teaching the sin nature and telling people to obey God. It does not work.

   If you are born a sinner, then according to Calvinist doctrine, you must have Jesus’ imputed righteousness (which is not scripturally correct 1John 3:7). However, if you are born morally innocent, then you must obey from the heart! (Rom. 6:16-17; Gal. 5:6; 1John 3:7)

Condemnation

   The same condemnation found in Rom. 5:16, 18 is found in Rom. 8:1. Since the condemnation is due to Adam’s transgression and is referring to physical death (as Pearl says) that was unconditionally imputed to all his descendants (i.e., condemnation was imputed), then there is in fact condemnation for those who are in Christ since they are physically still alive! (Rom. 5:18; 8:1) This might be another reason why Pearl holds to Christ’s imputed righteousness. That is, all our sins (even future sins) are covered rather than practical living according to the standards of God’s moral code.

   When you read the following verse, keep in mind if death is physical. It states:

For to be carnally minded is [physical] death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Rom. 8:6)

   Huh? How? If death only has one meaning (physical), how does Pearl explain the following verse?

For if you live according to the flesh you will [physically] die. (Rom. 8:13)

   There are people who live according to the flesh (ungodly living) well up into their 80′s and 90′s and sometimes more.

   Therefore, this is the problem with Romans. 5:12 if death is physical. It necessitates positional righteousness and the “Once Saved, Always Saved” comes into play! Are you beginning to see how crafty all of this is?

   The context of Romans 5:12-21 speaks of condemnation and justification. The condemnation is referring to spiritual death, for those who are justified still die physically!

   Let me say again. If “death” means physical death, being justified would mean that we would not die physically!

   It is “spiritual death” in Rom. 5:12, not physical. I see the influence and effects of Adam’s sin led unto the condemnation of all people, that is, upon all those who choose to sin by their own freewill and follow Adam’s example and will come under the wrath of God.

   Take Romans 5:16:

And not as it was by the one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification.

   And v. 19:

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

   The two examples (of Adam and Jesus) and their work are contrasted. Adam’s influence and sin resulted unto condemnation while Christ’s obedience resulted in a free gift unto justification. Let me point out that it does not say that the sin of one condemned them all, but rather that the sin of one led to the condemnation of them all. This is because condemnation and justification are both conditional, not unconditionally universal as many would say. Condemnation can only come upon personal transgression, while justification comes freely through the process of repentance and faith. (Acts 11:18; 20:21; 2 Cor.7:10-11)

While we are alive, we can use our body as instruments of “righteousness” or “unrighteousness” (Rom. 6:13). Yielding our instrument (flesh) to sin leads to death (spiritual death with eternal consequences) while obedience leads to righteousness (restored relationship with God by right living that results to a life of immortality in God’s coming kingdom. Rom. 2:7).

   I must ask the question, “If Adam’s sin has caused the whole human race to physically die, then how does our personal sin lead to physical death, again (Rom. 6:23)?”

   Mankind simply dies physically because they have no access to the tree of life that would sustain their mortal bodies. Remember that Jesus was under the same condition.

   I believe most of us are familiar with the story of King David who committed adultery with his beautiful neighbor Bathsheba and committed murder by having her husband killed (2Sam. 11-12). Many believe and teach that David simply lost his joy of salvation or maybe some loss of rewards but not his spiritual state with God. It is said David could grieve the spirit, but never quench it and was secure in his salvation. However, Ezekiel said something very different:

But when a righteousness man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? [The answer to this question has eternal consequences.] All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die. (Eze. 18:24)

   How could Ezekiel be referring to physical death? All of us are going to die no matter if we live ungodly or righteously. This is how we know that King David was not in a safe “spiritual” condition until he found godly sorrow in Psalms 51. David lost his justification and fell back under condemnation due to the fact he transgressed. Although King David was still alive (since he was physically walking about) his communication with God was severed (Isa. 59:2) until he repented.

Spiritual death

   Remember, when speaking of “spiritual death,” it simply means a “moral and relational separation from God.” Note the following verses:

for this my son was dead [morally and spiritually] and is alive [relationally] again. (Lk.15:24; 32)

He that believeth is passed from death [moral and spiritual] unto life [relationship]. (Jn. 5:24)

Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead [moral and spiritual], and Christ shall give thee light. (Eph. 5:14-16)

…yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive [relationally] from the dead [moral and spiritual]. (Rom. 6:13)

And you being dead [morally and spiritually] in your sins hath he made alive [relationally] together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses. (Col. 2:13)

We know that we have passed from death [moral and spiritual] unto life [relationship]. (1Jn. 3:14)

   Spiritual death comes only by committing sins. No one is born spiritually dead as Calvinism teaches.

   The founder of Calvinism, Augustine of Hippo, said we were born “lumps of sin.” Calvinism is modern day Manicheanism, which is Gnostic. Denial of man’s “freewill” is a heathen belief, just like dualism! (I.e., the “sinful nature.”) If we cannot respond to God, then we are nothing more than a pre-programmed robot. If mankind cannot repent any more than ice can burn, God is a liar (Mk. 1:15; Lk. 13:3,5; Acts 11:18, 17:30; 26:18-20). If man is OSAS, the Son of man was a liar (Matt. 10:22; Lk. 13:24).

   If Calvinism Theology is correct, then that means God must by necessity save people in their sins since they are incapable of responding to the call of repentance proven by deeds and faith working by love. (This leads to the other points of the tangled web of deception of the T.U.L.I.P - “Unconditional Election” and “Irresistible Grace.”) They would have to be compelled [by God] and forced against their own will [by God] to do something they never wanted to do, that being, of course, love God! Calvinism is heresy!

   Keep in mind the day that Adam sinned against God he “spiritually died” (Gen. 2:17 Again, meaning his relationship with God was not the same), and eventually he physically died due to no access to the tree of life.

   Spiritual death comes by personal sin, not Adam’s sin. If one were to say that physical death is a result of Adam’s sin, then it would make sense that we do not physically die for our own personal transgressions, but yet:

She that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. (1Tim. 5:6)

   Is she physically dead or spiritually dead? Can you even be physically dead while you are physically alive? How is she dead while she still lives? This cannot mean physical death, but spiritual separation from God. This is precisely what happened in the garden. God said:

You shall not eat from the tree for in that day you shall surely die. (Gen. 2:17)

   Did Adam physically die the moment he ate from the tree? No. Scriptures say Adam lived to be 930 years old and then he died. (Gen. 5:5) Therefore, the death God was speaking of in Gen. 2:17 must have been referring to the relational end of things - spiritually. Adam eventually died physically because he, along with his posterity, no longer had access to the tree of life that sustained the mortal fleshly bodies. We suffer the consequences of Adam's sin (just as Jesus did and would have died if he had lived to be an old man) but are not guilty of his sin.

   Adam, by his own freewill, chose to transgress and consequently brought sin into the world, and spiritual death comes by personal transgression (Rom. 5:12). It is speaking of [spiritual] death through Adam. How? Not by imputation, but by following his example of disobedience and all others followed. Peter also makes this clear in 1 Peter 1:18:

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain course of life received by tradition from your fathers;

   Our vain manner of life was received by tradition from our fathers (plural). As Adam chose to disobey, mankind followed the same path of disobedience, not that they were born sinners and had no choice but to sin. Therefore, the verse in Romans is speaking to the influence and effects of Adam’s sin which led to the condemnation of all men, upon all those who choose to sin by their own freewill.

   There is no such thing as universal condemnation. Again, notice in Rom. 5:18 it does not say that the sin of one (Adam) condemned them all, but that the sin of one led to the condemnation of them all. Condemnation is conditioned upon personal transgression and justification is conditioned upon repenting and believing. Man can only be condemned for their own personal sins (Eze. 18:20-28; 1Cor. 6:9; Rev. 21:8) and reconciliation requires a personal choice (2 Cor. 5:20). Condemnation is the wrath of God that comes upon the sons of disobedience (Jn. 3:36; Eph. 5:5-7). No one is born a condemned sinner!

   Romans 8:1 says:

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.

   Again, condemnation is conditioned upon a person’s walk, it is not universal apart from choice. Condemnation is shown to be spiritual death, for if you live according to the flesh you will die (spiritually and morally, with eternal consequences Rom. 8:13) since being carnally minded is death (Rom. 8:6).

   Another question worth pondering is this. If the carnally minded are dead but still walking around, how are they dead? If condemnation is physical, and then a person gets born again, is he still condemned since he is still in the flesh since condemnation is physical? How could there be no condemnation (Rom. 8:1)?

   Thus it can be clearly seen that Romans 5:12 speaks of spiritual death. In fact, much of scriptures speak of spiritual death unless the context calls for physical death.

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