Romans 5 16

Romans 5:16 kjv

And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

Romans 5:16 nkjv

And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.

Romans 5:16 niv

Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.

Romans 5:16 esv

And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.

Romans 5:16 nlt

And the result of God's gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man's sin. For Adam's sin led to condemnation, but God's free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.

Romans 5 verses

Romans 5 16 Meaning

Romans 5:16 explains the profound difference between the consequence of Adam's single sin and the far greater, abounding nature of God's free gift through Jesus Christ. Adam's singular act of disobedience led to widespread judgment and condemnation for humanity due to one transgression. In stark contrast, God's grace-gift through Christ is bestowed after "many trespasses" (the numerous sins of individuals), and it results not in condemnation, but in justification and righteousness. It underscores that God's grace is qualitatively and quantitatively superior to the devastating impact of sin.

Romans 5 16 Context

Romans 5:16 is situated within Paul's extensive argument concerning justification by faith in Christ. Chapters 1-4 establish the universal need for salvation due to sin and God's provision of righteousness through faith, apart from the Law. Chapter 5 begins to explain the benefits of justification, primarily peace with God, access to grace, and hope in tribulation. Verses 12-21 of Chapter 5 specifically detail a profound theological comparison, or parallelism, between Adam and Christ. Adam is presented as the head of a sinful humanity, whose one act of disobedience introduced sin and death to all his descendants. Christ is presented as the head of a new humanity, whose one act of obedience (His life, death, and resurrection) brings righteousness and life to all who believe. Verse 16 builds on verse 15, emphasizing the contrast in quality and quantity between the "trespass" (Adam's one sin) and the "free gift" (Christ's abundant grace), demonstrating grace's superiority to sin's effects. The chapter polemicizes against any notion of human merit as a basis for righteousness, asserting that both sin's dominion and grace's triumph originate from singular, representative acts rather than individual accumulation.

Romans 5 16 Word analysis

• And not as (Greek: kai ouch hōs - καὶ οὐχ ὡς): This phrase introduces a comparison that highlights dissimilarity rather than likeness, signifying that what follows concerning the "free gift" is qualitatively unlike the consequences stemming from Adam's sin. It sets up a strong contrast.
• through one who sinned (Greek: di’ henos hamartēsantos - δι’ ἑνὸς ἁμαρτήσαντος): Refers directly to Adam. The term "sinned" (hamartēsantos) is a past active participle, emphasizing Adam's singular, decisive act of transgression, foundational to humanity's fallen state.
• so also is the free gift (Greek: to dōrēma - τὸ δώρημα): Dōrēma means a gift or a gratuity, often one bestowed gratuitously or for which nothing is expected in return. In this context, it refers broadly to the salvific benefits and blessings of grace. Paul's "not as... so also" structure emphasizes that while there's a parallelism in one man affecting many, the nature and outcome of what happened through Adam versus Christ are radically different.
• for on the one hand the judgment came (Greek: ou gar hōs di’ henos hamartēsantos to krima - οὐ γὰρ ὡς δι’ ἑνὸς ἁμαρτήσαντος τὸ κρίμα): The conjunction "for" (gar) introduces the explanation for the previous statement. "Judgment" (krima) signifies the verdict or the sentence delivered after evaluation. This points to God's legal pronouncement against humanity based on Adam's sin.
• from one transgression (Greek: di’ henos hamartēmatos - δι’ ἑνὸς ἁμαρτήματος): Some manuscripts (Textus Receptus) have hamartēsantos (one who sinned) here, leading to slightly different English translations. However, the Critical Text supports di’ henos hamartēmatos, "from one trespass/transgression" (referring to the single act itself rather than the person who sinned), which is more grammatically consistent with "many transgressions" later in the verse. This specifies Adam's singular disobedient act as the cause.
• unto condemnation (Greek: eis katakrima - εἰς κατάκριμα): Katakrima denotes the definitive sentence of guilt or damnation; condemnation. It's the ultimate negative legal outcome of the judgment, resulting in the deserved penalty, specifically death and separation from God.
• but on the other hand the free gift came (Greek: all’ hōs dia pollōn paraptōmatōn to charisma - ἀλλ’ ὡς διὰ πολλῶν παραπτωμάτων τὸ χάρισμα): "But" (all’) marks a strong contrast. "Free gift" here is charisma, a derivative of charis (grace). Charisma specifically implies a "grace-gift," a manifestation of divine favor and divine enabling. This term often refers to spiritual gifts but here signifies the broader saving blessing that God bestows through Christ out of grace, entirely unmerited.
• from many transgressions (Greek: dia pollōn paraptōmatōn - διὰ πολλῶν παραπτωμάτων): Paraptōmatōn refers to trespasses or offenses – errors that result from wandering off the path, transgressing a known boundary. The use of "many" here is crucial. Unlike Adam's one foundational transgression, Christ's work addresses the multiplicity of sins committed by all humanity across all generations. This shows the vast scope of grace.
• unto justification (Greek: eis dikaiōma - εἰς δικαίωμα): Dikaiōma can mean an act of righteousness, an ordinance, or the outcome of being declared righteous (justification). Here, it refers to the legal declaration of being righteous, the complete reversal of condemnation. It's not just a pardon; it's being declared innocent and righteous, fulfilling God's righteous standard. This outcome applies despite the numerous individual sins of believers, highlighting the abounding nature of God's grace through Christ's singular, perfect righteousness.

Romans 5 16 Bonus section

The juxtaposition in Romans 5:16 between "judgment came from one transgression unto condemnation" and "the free gift came from many transgressions unto justification" highlights a key aspect of redemptive history. Adam's single failure imputed a sinful nature and judicial guilt, causing all subsequent sins to fall under an existing sentence. However, Christ's work doesn't merely counteract that one original sin; it encompasses and definitively addresses the cumulative reality of all individual human failings (many transgressions). This implies that grace is not simply restorative but overabundant; it overcomes the massive debt accumulated through millennia of human rebellion. This reinforces that justification is a declaration based purely on God's initiative and Christ's work, providing full righteousness to individuals despite their personal history of multiple offenses, transcending the legal requirements. It sets the stage for Paul's concluding statement in Rom 5:20-21: "where sin increased, grace abounded all the more."

Romans 5 16 Commentary

Romans 5:16 further elucidates the vast qualitative and quantitative difference between Adam's single sin and Christ's singular act of obedience. Adam's transgression, though only one act, brought judgment that spread condemnation universally to humanity because of its representative nature. This judgment addressed not just that singular act, but plunged all humanity into a state where many transgressions naturally flowed, leading to their deserved condemnation. In stunning contrast, the "free gift" (dōrēma), specifically the "grace-gift" (charisma) from God, did not come in response to one sin, but supernaturally deals with many trespasses. This grace-gift, anchored in Christ's perfect work, leads to justification, an absolute declaration of righteousness that overturns not only the original condemnation but also the myriad individual sins that followed. The verse demonstrates that while sin multiplied and reigned in death, grace profoundly transcends sin’s power, extending forgiveness and righteousness to the many, resulting in a glorious acquittal where condemnation once stood. The abundance of grace far outweighs the devastation of sin.