Romans 5:19 kjv
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Romans 5:19 nkjv
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.
Romans 5:19 niv
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Romans 5:19 esv
For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
Romans 5:19 nlt
Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
Romans 5 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 5:12 | For as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men,... | Comparison of Adam's sin |
| 1 Cor 15:21 | For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. | Parallel in resurrection |
| 1 Cor 15:22 | For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. | Christ as second Adam |
| Gen 3:19 | In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou again. | Adam's curse of labor/death |
| Phil 2:8 | And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. | Christ's obedience unto death |
| Heb 10:14 | For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. | Christ's perfect offering |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:... | Union with Christ's righteousness |
| Rom 3:23 | For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; | Universal sinfulness |
| Rom 3:24 | Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: | Justification by grace |
| Gal 5:4 | Whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. | Warning against self-justification |
| Isa 53:11 | He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. | Christ's atoning sacrifice |
| 1 Peter 2:22 | Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: | Christ's sinlessness |
| 1 Peter 3:18 | For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God,... | Atonement for sins |
| John 1:29 | The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. | Christ taking away sin |
| Heb 7:26 | For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and higher than the heavens; | Christ's perfect priesthood |
| 1 Cor 1:30 | But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: | Christ as source of righteousness |
| Phil 3:9 | And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith: | Righteousness through faith |
| Col 1:20 | And, having made peace by the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. | Reconciliation through cross |
| 2 Cor 5:21 | For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. | Imputation of righteousness |
| John 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. | God's love and gift of Son |
| Eph 2:1-2 | And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,... | Past state of sin |
Romans 5 verses
Romans 5 19 Meaning
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
This verse establishes a direct parallel between the sin of Adam and the righteousness of Christ, highlighting their reciprocal impact on humanity. Adam's act of disobedience brought sin and its consequences to many, while Christ's obedience through his sacrifice brings justification and righteousness to many. It underscores the magnitude of sin inherited through Adam and the greater magnitude of righteousness secured through Christ's perfect obedience unto death.
Romans 5 19 Context
Romans 5 continues Paul's exploration of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It contrasts the reign of sin and death, initiated by Adam, with the reign of grace and righteousness through Jesus Christ. The preceding verses (5:12-18) establish the analogy between Adam and Christ as federal heads of humanity. Adam, by disobedience, brought condemnation to all humanity, resulting in death. Christ, through his obedience unto death, brings justification and life to all who receive him by faith. This verse (5:19) serves as a concluding summary of this critical comparison, reinforcing the pivotal work of Christ in overcoming the consequences of Adam's sin. Historically, Paul is addressing believers, many of whom are Gentiles, in Rome, a diverse Christian community grappling with understanding the scope and benefits of salvation.
Romans 5 19 Word Analysis
For (γάρ - gar): A conjunction introducing a reason or explanation for the preceding statement. Here, it explains the previous assertion of grace abounding more exceedingly.
as (ὥσπερ - hōsper): Similar to "just as" or "in the same way that," introducing a comparison.
by (διά - dia): Indicates the agency or means through which something is accomplished.
one man's (ἑνὸς ἀνθρώπου - henos anthrōpou): Refers to a single man, Adam, as the source.
disobedience (παρακοῆς - parakoēs): Specifically means "failure to hear," "disobedience," "neglect of duty." It signifies Adam's refusal to obey God's command.
many (πολλοί - polloi): Refers to a great number, a multitude. In both instances, it is often understood to represent all for whom Christ died, not necessarily every individual person.
were made sinners (ἁμαρτωλοὶ κατεστάθησαν - hamartōloi katestathēsan): Literally, "were appointed as sinners" or "were constituted sinners." This refers to being reckoned or judged as sinful due to Adam's transgression, imputing his guilt.
so (οὕτως - houtōs): In like manner; similarly, indicating the corresponding outcome.
by (διά - dia): Again, the agency or means.
the obedience (ὑπακοῆς - hypakoēs): The act of "listening under" authority, yielding to a command; obedience. This refers to Christ's perfect submission to the Father's will.
of one (ἑνός - henos): Refers to one person, Jesus Christ.
shall many be made righteous (πολλοὶ δικαιωθήσονται - polloi dikaiōthēsontai): Literally, "many shall be constituted righteous." This signifies being declared or imputed as righteous by God, due to Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice, received by faith.
Words Group Analysis:
- "by one man's disobedience many were made sinners": This highlights the federal headship of Adam. His disobedience is not merely an example but an act that resulted in humanity's alienated and sinful status before God.
- "by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous": This contrasts Adam's failure with Christ's perfect fulfillment of God's law. Christ's obedience, culminating in his sacrificial death, is the basis for humanity's (those in Christ) imputed righteousness and reconciliation with God. The parallelism emphasizes that what was lost through Adam is more than recovered through Christ.
Romans 5 19 Bonus Section
The concept of "many" being made sinners and righteous through one representative is often referred to as the "federal theology" or "Adamic and Christic federalism." Adam acted as a federal head, representing the entirety of humanity at the point of creation and his fall. Similarly, Christ acts as a new federal head, representing all who believe in Him. This parallel structure emphasizes the sufficiency and perfection of Christ's redemptive work to counteract and overcome the universal effects of Adam's transgression. The Greek word polloi (many) is crucial here; it is intentionally parallel in both clauses, emphasizing that the number affected by Adam's sin is matched or surpassed by those made righteous through Christ, though the nature of their participation is different (one by birth, the other by faith). This contrasts with a Pelagian view which would argue for individual responsibility for sin from birth without inherited guilt.
Romans 5 19 Commentary
This verse succinctly summarizes the theological principle of imputation. Adam, as the progenitor and representative head, acted in disobedience, and his sin affected all his descendants, who are thus reckoned as sinners. Conversely, Jesus Christ, the "second Adam," acted in perfect obedience, even unto death on the cross. Through this obedience, believers are constituted righteous before God, not by their own deeds, but by Christ's finished work received by faith. The magnitude of Christ's righteousness far exceeds the magnitude of Adam's sin. The "many" refers to all who are united to Christ by faith.
- Practical Usage Example: Understanding this means our standing before God is not based on our performance, but on Christ's. We are declared righteous because Christ was obedient for us. This frees us from trying to earn God's approval and allows us to live in the freedom of His grace.