Once we grasp this, it plays back into our understanding of the earlier part of the verse and, with it, the analysis of the “problem” throughout Romans 5. Here is the point. When humans sinned, they abdicated their vocation to “rule” in the way that they, as image-bearers, were supposed to. They gave away their authority to the powers of the world, which meant ultimately to death itself. Thus, in the climactic conclusion in v. 21, Paul declares that “sin reigned in death.” Sin is the human failure of vocation, with all that this entails. When we sin, we abuse our calling, our privileges, and
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