Romans 5:18–19

Context

Romans 5:12–21 is a section in which Paul sets Adam and Jesus Christ side by side and contrasts them. Paul has already explained justification, being declared righteous by faith. He then opens verse 12 with "by one man sin entered into the world," develops the point in verses 13–17, and brings the comparison to its conclusion in verses 18–19.

"The offence of one" in verse 18 and "disobedience" in verse 19 refer to Adam's transgression. "The righteousness of one" and "obedience" refer to Christ's obedience, which is commonly understood as obedience extending even to death on the cross. Using the same pattern, in which the act of one man affects many, Paul contrasts the way condemnation and death spread with the way righteousness and life are given.

Interpretations

• Reformed reading: Reformed theology and covenant theology regard Adam and Christ as "covenant heads," each representing humanity. Just as Adam's guilt is imputed (that is, reckoned or credited to another) to those who belong to him, so Christ's righteousness is imputed to those who believe. Christ's obedience is sometimes explained as including both His life of perfect obedience to the law (active obedience) and His suffering on the cross (passive obedience).
• Wesleyan reading: Denominations that follow Wesleyan theology, such as Methodist and Holiness churches, also affirm original sin through Adam. They note, however, that verse 18 speaks of condemnation and grace as having the same scope. They therefore hold that the grace given through Christ extends to all people, and they often relate this to prevenient grace (grace given beforehand that enables a person to respond to God).
• Controversy in the early church: In the early fifth century, Pelagius held that Adam's sin spread by way of people imitating his bad example. Augustine, drawing on this passage (especially verse 12), developed the doctrine of original sin, according to which Adam's sin is transmitted to all humanity. The Western church's understanding of original sin thereafter largely followed Augustine.

Debates and Issues

• "Many" and "all": The Greek text uses the expression "all men" in verse 18 and "many" in verse 19. Some Bible translations render verse 18 as "all men," while others, such as the Korean Revised Version, render it as "many." Some universalists cite verse 18 as grounds for the view that all people will ultimately be saved. Most denominations read it differently. One reading connects it with "they which receive" in verse 17 and applies it to those who accept grace. Another takes it to mean that grace is offered to all people.
• The meaning of "shall many be made righteous": The Greek verb behind "be made" in verse 19 can also mean "to set up" or "to appoint." Protestants generally read it as a forensic verdict in which God declares a person righteous. The Catholic Church emphasizes in addition that a person is actually transformed and made righteous by grace. This difference is bound up with differing understandings of the relationship between justification and sanctification.

Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this idea is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.

In Korean churches, the passage is frequently cited together with Romans 5:12 in sermons and Bible studies explaining original sin, justification, and the contrast between Adam and Christ.

Related Passages

• Romans 5:12
• 1 Corinthians 15:20–22
• Philippians 2:8
• 2 Corinthians 5:21
• Romans 3:21–26