Hi M.G.,
I can see how that seems confussing. I was looking at this whole passage in Rom. 5 and it helped me to grasp what was being said in verse 19.
Rom 5:12 Therefore, even as through
one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed on all men inasmuch as all sinned:
Adam was the first or the beginner, so he got sin started, so to speak. It was not through Eve, but Adam "was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." (1Tim 2:14)
Rom 5:14 But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the transgression of Adam,
who is the type of Him who was to come;
Rom 5:18 Therefore as by(A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act: - after, always, among, at, by, for, of, by reason of,) one offense sentence came on all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came to all men to justification of life.
Rom 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous.
Adam is the type or symbol of sin, because he got it started, not because he made the rest of us sinners.
Rom 5:21 so that as
sin has reigned to death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold(that is, dispose of as merchandise or into slavery (literally or figuratively): - sell.) under sin.
I hope this will help
mercy, peace, and love
Kat