Thought it is sometimes claimed that this terminology artificially separates the obedience of Christ into two disparate parts, the real interest of the distinction between the active and passive obedience is to underscore the richness of Christ’s seamless life of obedience ‘under the law’ (Gal. 4:4). . . . The traditional distinction between the active and passive obedience of Christ, therefore, articulates significance of the full scope of Christ’s obedience under the law. The Saviour’s death upon the cross by which he made atonement for sin was not an isolated act of obedience, but the epitome of an obedience that began with his readiness to ‘take the form of a servant’ for the sake of his people (Phil. 2:6-11). Believers who are united to Christ by faith receive the fullness of his righteousness, which includes his faithful obedience to the law and willing payment of its curse.

CORNELIS P. VENEMA, THE GOSPEL OF FREE ACCEPTANCE IN CHRIST: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE REFORMATION AND NEW PERSPECTIVE ON PAUL, 247-249.