Christ's submission to the curse of the law and the wrath of God in His suffering and death — bearing the penalty due to His people. Distinguished theologically from active obedience (Christ's perfect lifelong fulfillment of the law that earned positive righteousness). Both are essential and inseparable. Galatians 3:13: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Isaiah 53:5: he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 1 Peter 2:24: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree. The Christian's sins are not just forgiven but transferred — reckoned to Christ on the cross, the penalty paid in full there. Together with His active obedience, Christ's passive obedience constitutes the complete work of atonement: penalty paid (passive) and righteousness earned (active), both imputed to the believer through faith.