The Transgression of Adam and Imputed Sin

Among the more difficult doctrines revealed in the Scriptures is the full doctrine of
imputation. Most Christians joyfully accept and confess the imputation of our sins to the
sinless Savior. Likewise, they also joyfully accept and confess the imputation of the Savior's
righteousness to them. It is the third imputation which is often a stumbling-block; the
imputation of Adam's guilt to all of Adam's posterity. When confronted with the doctrine for
the first time, many will claim that it is unfair by wrongly attributing the sins of one to another,
i.e., Adam's to you. Ironically, that charge would be better levelled when the other two are
considered because the Savior was punished for another's sins, and the sinner is granted a
righteousness which he does not deserve. But in our text, the doctrine of the imputation of
Adam's guilt is introduced (and expanded over the following verses). An understanding of
the biblical doctrine is necessary in order to understand the nature of how God deals with us
in both our depravity and redemption. – Pastor Schlegel