John Calvin Commentary Romans 5:18

"So then as through one trespass [the judgment came] unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness [the free gift came] unto all men to justification of life." — Romans 5:18 (ASV)

Therefore, etc. This is an incomplete sentence; it will be complete if the words condemnation and justification are read in the nominative case, as you undoubtedly must do to complete the sense. We have here the general conclusion from the preceding comparison. For, omitting the mention of the intervening explanation, he now completes the comparison: “As by the offense of one we were made (constitute) sinners; so the righteousness of Christ is efficacious to justify us.”

He does not say the righteousness — δικαιοσύνην, but the justification — δικαίωμα, of Christ, to remind us that He was not, as an individual, just for Himself alone, but that the righteousness with which He was endowed extended further, so that by conferring this gift, He might enrich the faithful.

He makes this favor common to all because it is offered to all, and not because it is actually extended to all. For though Christ suffered for the sins of the whole world, and is offered through God’s goodness indiscriminately to all, yet not all receive Him.

These two words, which he had previously used, judgment and grace, may also be introduced here in this form: “As it was through God’s judgment that the sin of one resulted in the condemnation of many, so grace will be efficacious to the justification of many.” Justification of life is to be understood, in my judgment, as remission, which restores life to us, as if he called it life-giving. For from where does the hope of salvation come, except that God is favorable to us? And we must be just to be accepted. Then life proceeds from justification.