Romans 5:19 – Constituted and placed 

For even as, through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted sinners, thus also, through the obedience of the One, the many shall be constituted just.

Humanity, as Paul describes it in this passage, is not a collection of individuals, each deciding their own destiny. On the contrary. That you and I are sinners and mortals is not a choice of our own. That was established before we were born. Our Adamic descent is decisive in this. Since “all mankind” (“the many”) are descended from that one man who ate of the forbidden fruit, they are all sinners. Not just “made sinners,” as modern translations like to render, but “constituted sinners.” Or even more ‘literally’: down – placed. It expresses that “the many” (namely all humanity) are completely passive in this. Whether we agree or not does not matter at all.

But notice, Paul’s statement is the introduction to the most impressive fact in all of world history. For just as through the disobedience of the one man all mankind has been made sinners, thus also through the obedience of the one man, that same mankind (“the many”) will be constituted righteous. Inescapable and irrevocable!

Delen: