First, It is opposed to the disobedience of
Adam, which was active. The δικαίωμα is opposed παραπτώματι, — the righteousness to the fault. The
fault was an active transgression of the law, and the obedience opposed to
it must be an active accomplishment of it. Besides, obedience placed
singly, in its own nature, denotes an action or actions conformable to the
law; and therein came Christ, not to destroy but to fulfil the law,
Matt. v. 17, — that was the design of
his coming, and so for us; he came to fulfil the law for us, Isa. ix. 6, and [was] born to us,
Luke ii. 11. This also was in that
will of the Father which, out of his infinite love, he came to accomplish.
Secondly, It cannot clearly be evinced that there is any such thing,
in propriety of speech, as passive obedience; obeying is
doing, to which passion or suffering cannot belong: I know it is
commonly called so, when men obey until they suffer; but properly it is not
so.