Romans 5:19 (DRB)

Passage

For as by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners: so also by the obedience of one, many shall be made just.

Nearby Context

Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned through one; much more they who receive abundance of grace and of the gift and of justice shall reign in life through one, Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:18 Therefore, as by the offence of one, unto all men to condemnation: so also by the justice of one, unto all men to justification of life.

Romans 5:19 For as by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners: so also by the obedience of one, many shall be made just.

Romans 5:20 Now the law entered in that sin might abound. And where sin abounded, grace did more abound.

Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned to death: so also grace might reign by justice unto life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "disobedience", "sinners", "shall", and "just". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "disobedience" and "sinners", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 18's "Therefore as by the offence of one..." into verse 20's "Now the law entered in that sin...", so "disobedience" and "sinners" belong inside that flow. In Romans context, the local focus is righteousness by faith, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and God's covenant faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "disobedience" and "sinners" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.