Extent of Human Corruption After the Fall of Adam
The concept of human corruption after the Fall of Adam describes the pervasive impact of humanity's initial disobedience on all subsequent generations. The biblical account of the Fall is found in Genesis 2 and 3, which is interpreted as a literal historical event that underpins the entire system of revealed truth [1]. This event led to sin and misery for Adam and Eve, and for all their descendants [1].
The extent of this corruption is understood to be comprehensive, affecting all aspects of human existence. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Romans 5:21, describes sin as having "reigned unto death" extensively, deeply, and universally. one tradition states that sin, whether as an act of transgression or an "impure principle," has subjected "the whole earth and all its inhabitants; the whole soul, and all its powers and faculties, unto death, temporal of the body, spiritual of the soul, and eternal of both" [6]. This suggests a total corruption that touches every part of human nature and experience. Similarly, on 1 Corinthians 15:49, Clarke notes that as descendants of Adam, humans are "born in his likeness, and subject to the same kind of corruption, disgrace, and death" [7].
The Old Testament narratives frequently illustrate this widespread corruption. For instance, the wickedness described in Genesis 6:11, where "the earth was corrupt before God," indicates a pervasive moral decay [3, 4]. Matthew Henry notes that "all kinds of sin" were found among the people of that generation, affecting their worship of God and their conduct [3]. John Gill further explains that the inhabitants of the earth were "corrupt both in principle and practice, and did abominable things" [4]. The prophet Amos also highlights the extensive delinquency of Israel, detailing how their judges were corrupt, taking bribes and condemning the poor for trivial gains, demonstrating a deep-seated moral failure [2].
Theological traditions have articulated this corruption in various ways. John Calvin, for example, discusses the propagation of souls from Adam, implying that humanity's fallen nature is inherited through descent [5]. This idea, known as "traducianism" in some contexts, suggests that the soul, like the body, is passed down from Adam, carrying with it the effects of the Fall [5]. This contrasts with the view that souls are created directly by God for each individual. The pervasive nature of this corruption means that humanity is not merely prone to sin, but is fundamentally affected by it, requiring divine intervention for redemption [6].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Fall of man — An expression probably borrowed from the Apocryphal Book of Wisdom, to express the fact of the revolt of our first parents from God, and the consequent sin and misery in which they and all their posterity were involved. The history of the Fall is recorded in Gen. 2 and 3. That history is to be literally interpreted. It records facts which underlie the whole system of revealed truth. It is referred to by our Lord and his apostles not only as being true, but as furnishing the ground of all God's subsequent dispensations and dealings with the children of m”
- Amos (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Amos 2:6: For three transgressions of Israel, etc. - To be satisfied of the exceeding delinquency of this people, we have only to open the historical and prophetic books in any part; for the whole history of the Israelites is one tissue of transgression against God. Their crimes are enumerated under the following heads: - 1. Their judges were mercenary and corrupt. They took bribes to condemn the righteous; and even for articles of clothing, such as a pair of shoes, they condemned the poor man, and delivered him into the hands of his adversary. 2. They were unmerciful to the po”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 6:11: The wickedness of that generation is here again spoken of, either as a foil to Noah's piety - he was just and perfect, when all the earth was corrupt; or as a further justification of God's resolution to destroy the world, which he was now about to communicate to his servant Noah. 1. All kinds of sin was found among them, for it is said (Gen 6:11) that the earth was, (1.) Corrupt before God, that is, in the matters of God's worship; either they had other gods before him, or they worshipped him by images, or they were corrupt and wicked in despite and contempt of ”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 6:9: And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. When he was five hundred years of age, and before the flood came upon the earth; and when it was so wicked as is next described: of these sons of his, and of the order in which they are placed; see Gill on Gen 5:32. . Genesis 6:11 gen 6:11 gen 6:11 gen 6:11The earth also was corrupt before God,.... That is, the inhabitants of the earth were corrupt in their lives and conversations; they were corrupt both in principle and practice, and did abominable things; and those corruptions were, according to Jarchi, uncleanne”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 7.21: — “ Que les ames procedent de celle d’Adam .” That souls proceed from that of Adam. — French Tr. It can be scarcely necessary to inform the reader, that a controversy of some magnitude engaged the attention of the learned, on the subject to which Calvin here alludes; namely, whether the souls of men are, like their bodies, propagated by descent from Adam, or whether they proceed immediately from God. The supposed descent of the soul from Adam was said to be ex traduce , by traduction. — Ed . For the human race has not naturally de”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 5:21: That as sin hath reigned unto death - As extensively, as deeply, as universally, as sin, whether implying the act of transgression or the impure principle from which the act proceeds, or both. Hath reigned, subjected the whole earth and all its inhabitants; the whole soul, and all its powers and faculties, unto death, temporal of the body, spiritual of the soul, and eternal of both; even so, as extensively, deeply, and universally might grace reign - filling the whole earth, and pervading, purifying, and refining the whole soul: through righteousness - through this ”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 15:49: And as we have borne the image of the earthy - As being descendants from Adam we have all been born in his likeness, and subject to the same kind of corruption, disgrace, and death; we shall also be raised to a life immortal, such as he now enjoys in the kingdom of God. This interpretation proceeds on the ground that what is here spoken belongs to Adam in his twofold state: viz. of mortality and immortality; of disgrace and honor; of earth and heaven. But by many commentators the words are understood to refer to Adam and Christ, in Co1 15:46-49. By these, Ch”