Romans 5:19 (GNV)

Passage

For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so by that obedience of that one shall many also be made righteous.

Nearby Context

Romans 5:17 For if by the offence of one, death reigned through one, much more shall they which receiue that abundance of grace, and of that gift of that righteousnesse, reigne in life through one, that is, Iesus Christ.

Romans 5:18 Likewise then as by the offence of one, the fault came on all men to condemnation, so by the iustifying of one, the benefite abounded toward all men to the iustification of life.

Romans 5:19 For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so by that obedience of that one shall many also be made righteous.

Romans 5:20 Moreouer the Law entred thereupon that the offence shoulde abound: neuerthelesse, where sinne abounded, there grace abounded much more:

Romans 5:21 That as sinne had reigned vnto death, so might grace also reigne by righteousnesse vnto eternall life, through Iesus Christ our Lord.

Study Lenses

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

The nearby context moves from verse 18's "Likewise then as by the offence of..." into verse 20's "Moreouer the Law entred thereupon that the...", so "mans" and "disobedience" 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 "mans" and "disobedience" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.