Romans 5:19 Meaning and Explanation
“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →As many were made sinners through one man's disobedience, so many will be made righteous through the obedience of One.
What Does Romans 5:19 Mean?
Paul restates the comparison once more, now naming the hinge of each side: disobedience and obedience. Through one man's disobedience, many were constituted sinners, caught up in a condition not merely chosen but inherited.
Over against this stands 'the obedience of one.' Christ's whole life of faithful obedience, culminating at the cross, becomes the means by which many 'shall be made righteous.' The future tense looks ahead with confidence to what His obedience secures. Where Adam's failure drew many down, Christ's obedience lifts many up into righteousness -- the deliberate counterweight at the center of Paul's argument.
Romans 5:19 in the Original Language
hupakoe (ὑπακοή), 'obedience' -- attentive submission, a listening that yields to God's will.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 5:19
What does Romans 5:19 mean?
As many were made sinners through one man's disobedience, so many will be made righteous through the obedience of One.