Romans 5:19

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 5:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For as through the one man`s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For as through the one man`s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous.
Romans 5:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19For as through the one man`s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, etc..] Agreeably to this the Jews say f102, that “for the sin of the first man, all that are born of him, µy[çr wyhy, “become wicked”.” This is the sum of what is said in the foregoing verses, that as by Adam's sin all his posterity are made sinners, and so are brought under a sentence of condemnation; in like manner by the obedience of Christ, all his seed are made righteous, and come under a sentence of justification of life: the persons made sinners are said to be “many”, in opposition to the “one man”, by whose disobedience they became so, and because there is an exception of one, even Jesus Christ; and mean all the natural…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For, &c.--better, "For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so by the obedience of the One shall the many be made righteous." On this great verse observe: First, By the "obedience" of Christ here is plainly not meant more than what divines call His active obedience, as distinguished from His sufferings and death; it is the entire work of Christ in its obediential character. Our Lord Himself represents even His death as His great act of obedience to the Father: "This commandment (that is, to lay down and resume His life) have I received of My Father" (Joh 10:8). Second, The significant word twice rendered made, does not signify to work a change upon a person or…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For ... - This verse is not a mere repetition of the former, but it is an explanation. By the former statements it might perhaps be inferred that people were condemned without any guilt or blame of theirs. The apostle in this verse guards against this, and affirms that they are in fact sinners. He affirms that those who are sinners are condemned, and that the sufferings brought in on account of the sin of Adam, are introduced because many were made sinners. Calvin says,” Lest anyone should arrogate to himself innocence, (the apostle) adds, that each one is condemned because he is a sinner.” (The same objection which was stated against a previous quotation from Calvin applies here. The…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“As by the disobedience of one man many (that is, all men) were constituted sinners - Being then in the loins of their first parent, the common head and representative of them all. So by the obedience of one - By his obedience unto death; by his dying for us. Many - All that believe. Shall be constituted righteous - Justified, pardoned. Romans 5:20”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“as by one: Rom 5:12-14 so by: Isa 53:10-12; Dan 9:24; Co2 5:21; Eph 1:6; Rev 7:9-17 Romans 5:20”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification