In the beginning, Adam and Eve were both created sinless by God

Jesus is referred to in the Bible as the New Adam (1 Cor. 15:45), and Mary was referred to as the New Eve by two of the earliest Church Fathers (Justin Martyr and Irenaeus), along with one ancient ecclesiastical writer of great apologetical standing (Tertullian). Newman reasoned that Eve in the Garden of Eden must have been given the grace to resist the temptation of the devil. But rather than saying “no” to the devil’s offer, Eve played an active role by eating the forbidden fruit and offering it to Adam. Adam took it and ate it, and because of that, sin and its consequences entered the world.

Newman reasoned that Mary must have been given a greater grace than Eve because she had been given a greater task. Whereas Eve was given the grace to refuse the temptation of the devil but did not, Mary said “yes” to God’s will as it was revealed by the angel Gabriel. (Luke 1:38). Whereas Eve actively handed Adam the forbidden fruit, Mary actively participated with her son Jesus Christ in redeeming the world.