Definition: Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Romans 5:18. It’s a pretty complex verse, but we can make it understandable. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse speaks about how God’s forgiveness and grace ultimately saves us from our own guilt and sin. It's saying that despite our mistakes and wrongdoing, God’s way of dealing with us is to offer us a way to live a good life – a life of freedom and purpose. Let's break it down word by word: “Therefore as by the offense of one…” - This means "because of a mistake or wrong done by someone." It’s about someone else's action causing trouble. “…judgment came upon all men to condemnation…” – “Judgment” here refers to God’s punishment for our sins. "Came upon" means ‘happened.’ “To condemnation” means 'to be condemned,' or 'to be punished.' Basically, it says that because we're bad and have made mistakes, God is punishing us. “…even so by the righteousness of one…” – This is the key part. "Righteousness" means doing what’s right and good. “One” here refers to God himself . “…the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” - “Free gift” means something given freely, not earned through our own effort. “To justification of life” means ‘to be made right in God’s eyes.’ It's about being forgiven and having a good life with God. Putting it all together: The verse says that because everyone is guilty of sin (like we all make mistakes), God is forgiving us through His own righteousness . This forgiveness doesn't just let us off the hook; it gives us something much more important: a way to live a good life and be accepted by God. In simpler terms: We’ve made wrong choices, and God sees that as enough. He offers us a way to be forgiven and live a life that honors him, even though we can't earn it through our own efforts. It emphasizes that God’s love and forgiveness are the ultimate prize for those who believe in Him. Important Note: This is a complex passage, and there’s a lot of theological interpretation involved. This explanation aims to give you a basic understanding of its meaning. --- Would you like me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Provide a parallel story or example related to the concept?