Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 87
? 80 That is to say that Adam's sin was punished with death and because of Adam, death became the lot of all men, for, they all had sinned. "For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. " (Romans, 5:13) This means that Paul was blowing hot and cold in the same breath when in the same chapter he wrote that since all had sinned, death became the lot of mankind (the Christians believe that death is the harvest of sin). But in the following verse (14) of the chapter under reference, he says; "Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression who is the figure of him that was to come. " LAW AND SIN Here another difficulty was encountered, namely that according to Christian belief, rule of the law started with Moses and did not exist before him. And when there was no law in force what was the place of sin? The question has been met with the answer: "For until the law sin was in the world but sin is not imputed when there is no law. " (Romans 5:13)