"This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world." (White, emphasis added). In other words, justification by faith, or soteriology, rests upon an understanding of what constitutes sin. Richard Taylor grasped this concept by saying, "The question of sin is so basically related to the nature of God and the plan of redemption, it is the one doctrine by which all others can be reduced to their simplest significance." Thus, the message of a sin pardoning Savior cannot and will not be fully understood without a correct conception of sin. It should, furthermore, be noted that Paul begins this chapter by saying, "Therefore, being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1). The overall goal, then, of Romans 5 is a greater understanding of justification by faith, of which Romans 5:12 plays an important role. .
In his systematic theology, Wayne Grudem defines sin as follows: "Sin is any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature." He upholds the moral standards of God's law, and thus correctly applies 1 John 3:4 to actions and thoughts contrary to God's law. His position is affirmed by quoting the 10th commandment itself, "Thou shalt not covet" (Ex 20:17) and the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus reprimands even anger (Matt 5:22) and lust (Matt 5:28). However, he continues on expounding his point by saying, "Our very nature, the internal character that is the essence of who we are as persons, can also be sinfulEven while asleep, an unbeliever, though not committing sinful actions or actively nurturing sinful attitudes, is still a "sinner" in God's sight; he or she still has a sinful nature that does not conform to God's moral law." (Grudem) Grudem, correctly, follows the implications of this thought.
