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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Since then he had shown that the world was condemned from Adam, but from Christ was saved and freed from condemnation, he now seasonably enters upon the discussion of the Law, here again undermining the high notions of it. For it was so far from doing any good, he means, or from being any way helpful, but the disorder was only increased by its having come in. But the particle "that" again does not assign the cause, but the result. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
After having proved that in Adam all were condemned, and in Christ saved, someone could probably have doubted and objected: what then was the law doing for so many years, if Christ justified us? "The law," he answers, "came in," that is, it was given for a time; it was not the chief and most essential need. And when it "came in," transgression was multiplied. For it gave many commandments; but all these commandments people transgressed, which is why transgression was multiplied. The particle "moreover" indicates the consequence. …
Irenaeus
All therefore speak falsely who disallow his (Adam's) salvation, shutting themselves out from life for ever, in that they do not believe that the sheep which had perished has been found. For if it has not been found, the whole human race is still held in a state of perdition. False, therefore, is that, man who first started this idea, or rather, this ignorance and blindness-Tatian. As I have already indicated, this man entangled himself with all the heretics. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Prohibition increased lust. It made it unconquered so that transgression might be added, which did not exist without the law, although there was sin.
Ambrose of Milan
Sin abounded by the Law because by the Law is the knowledge of sin, and thus it began to be injurious to me to know that which through infirmity I could not avoid; it is good to foreknow in order to avoid, but if I cannot avoid, to have known was injurious. Thus the effect of the Law was changed to me into its opposite, yet by the very increase of sin it became useful to me, because I was humbled. Wherefore David also said, It is good for me that I have been humbled.
Thomas Aquinas
After showing that through the gift of grace sin is removed, which entered this world through Adam, the Apostle now shows that through Christ's grace is taken away the sin that increased when the law came. Concerning this he does two things. First, he mentions the increase of sin through the law; second, the absolution of sin through Christ's grace, at and where sin abounded. First, therefore, he says: it has been stated that through the obedience of one man many are made just. …
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