What twofold dilemma did Adam's sin leave the human race with?
Adam's sin left the human race with a twofold dilemma: all are sinners, and all are under death. Spiritual death has already taken place—we are born dead. Physical death also lies ahead for every person. So the dilemma is both sin and the death that came with it.
Les explains that back in the Garden when Adam fell, death came with sin. Paul concludes in verse 12 that by one man, Adam, sin entered the world, and death came with sin, so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned. The two become synonymous. The human race now faces that dilemma: not only are we sinners, but we are also in a circumstance of death. Spiritual death has already taken place; we are born dead. Physically, every human being will approach death someday. Les notes that death reigned as a king from Adam to Moses at the giving of the law, even over those who had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, because they were not faced with a tree and a forbidden fruit.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
More Questions
What entered the world through Adam's sin?
What Adam brought into the world through his sin was the old sin nature, since Romans 5:12 uses 'sin' in the singular.