Passive Obedience

Definition and Meaning

Passive obedience refers to the obedience of Jesus Christ to God, by which he bore the penalty for human sin in the place of sinners, endured suffering, and became obedient even to death on the cross. Here "passive" does not mean "inactive" or "reluctant." The term derives from the Latin passio (suffering) and means "obedience in suffering." Theologians also stress that Christ accepted this suffering willingly.

The complementary concept is active obedience, which denotes Christ's perfect keeping of God's law throughout his entire life. The two concepts are used together to explain the atonement of Christ and justification (God's declaring sinners righteous).

Biblical and Historical Background

Passages frequently cited in support of this concept include the following:

• Philippians 2:8 (obedient unto death)
• Isaiah 53:4-6 (the suffering servant)
• 1 Peter 2:24
• Romans 5:19 (the obedience of one)
• Hebrews 5:8

Since the Reformation, Protestant theologians have debated the ground of justification. The question at issue has been whether only Christ's passive obedience is imputed to the believer (that is, credited to the believer and reckoned as the believer's own), or whether his active obedience is imputed as well.

• The German Reformed theologian Johannes Piscator is known to have denied the imputation of active obedience, holding that only passive obedience is imputed.
• The Westminster Confession of Faith states that "the obedience and satisfaction of Christ" are imputed to believers. Within the Reformed tradition, this wording has been interpreted as grounds for confessing the imputation of both forms of obedience.
• In the Wesleyan tradition, John Wesley is said to have been concerned that overemphasizing the imputation of active obedience could lead to moral laxity. This tradition explains justification chiefly in terms of the atonement accomplished through Christ's death.
• Since the late twentieth century, scholars associated with the "New Perspective on Paul" have questioned the doctrine of the imputation of active obedience, and traditional Reformed scholars have offered rebuttals.

Practice in the Korean Church

In the Korean church, the term is used mainly in systematic theology courses at seminaries and in doctrinal instruction. In ordinary preaching, the expression "the atonement of the cross" is more common.

• Presbyterian churches: Many denominations adopt the Westminster Confession of Faith as their doctrinal standard, and so they often teach the imputation of both passive and active obedience.
• Methodist and Holiness churches: Following the Wesleyan tradition, they tend to emphasize Christ's death together with sanctification. The distinction between active and passive obedience is used relatively less often.
• Baptist and Full Gospel churches: They generally explain salvation by centering on the atoning work of the cross. Whether this distinction is treated separately varies by church and seminary.