Romans 5:17 kjv
For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Romans 5:17 nkjv
For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)
Romans 5:17 niv
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
Romans 5:17 esv
For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:17 nlt
For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 5:18 | For as by one man's offense judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so by one man's righteousness free gift came unto all men unto justification of life. | Direct consequence of verse 17 |
| Romans 6:23 | For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. | Contrasts sin's outcome with God's gift |
| John 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. | Emphasizes God's love and gift of life |
| 1 John 5:11-12 | And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. | Life is in Jesus, the Son |
| Romans 8:3 | For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: | Christ condemned sin in flesh |
| Colossians 1:13 | Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: | Deliverance from darkness to kingdom |
| Ephesians 2:8-9 | For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. | Salvation is a gift of grace, not works |
| Titus 2:11-12 | For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; | Grace teaches salvation and godly living |
| Hebrews 12:22-24 | But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. | New covenant, Christ's blood speaketh of grace |
| 1 Peter 1:3 | Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, | Resurrection brings new life and hope |
| Romans 5:15 | But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if by one man's offense many are dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. | Grace abounds more than Adam's offense |
| Romans 5:19 | For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. | Obedience leads to righteousness |
| Romans 14:17 | For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. | Righteousness is central to God's kingdom |
| 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 | So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. | Victory over death through Christ |
| Philippians 3:9 | And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: | Righteousness is from God, by faith |
| Romans 5:1 | Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: | Justification leads to peace with God |
| Galatians 3:26 | For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. | Faith in Christ makes us children of God |
| 1 Corinthians 1:30 | But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: | Christ is our righteousness |
| Revelation 22:1 | And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. | Eternal life from God and the Lamb |
| Romans 5:21 | That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. | Parallels the reign of sin with grace |
Romans 5 verses
Romans 5 17 Meaning
Grace reigns supremely through righteousness, leading to eternal life by Jesus Christ. This signifies that God's undeserved favor, manifested in Christ's sacrifice, powerfully overcomes sin and death, not just neutralizing their effects but establishing a new reign of life.
Romans 5 17 Context
Romans chapter 5 establishes a profound contrast between the effects of Adam's sin and Christ's redemptive work. Paul meticulously details how sin entered the world through Adam, bringing condemnation and death to all humanity. Conversely, he highlights how Christ's perfect obedience and sacrifice bring justification and abundant life. This verse, Romans 5:17, serves as a pivotal statement in this comparison, emphasizing the superiority and reign of grace over sin. The entire chapter is about understanding humanity's predicament in Adam and their redemption in Christ, culminating in the assurance of hope and the reigning power of God's grace in believers' lives.
Romans 5 17 Word Analysis
Eti (And): Conjunction connecting the previous statement about the abounding gift of grace to this declaration of its reign.
perisseuo (much more): "Abound," "overflow." This highlights that grace and the gift of righteousness far surpass the effects of Adam's sin and the resulting reign of sin and death. It's a significant quantitative and qualitative increase.
en te (in the): Prepositional phrase indicating the sphere or manner.
palamai (one): Refers to Jesus Christ, contrasting with "one" (Adam) in verse 12 and 15.
paraptomati (offense): "Trespass," "fall." Refers to Adam's disobedience.
tes (of the): Possessive article.
basileuo (reign): "To be king," "to rule." This is a key concept; just as sin reigned in death, now grace reigns with a royal, authoritative power.
he (the): Definite article.
charis (grace): "Divine favor," "unmerited kindness." The core theme of Paul's gospel. This grace now actively rules.
en (in): Indicates the sphere or manner.
dikaiosune (righteousness): "Justification," "righteousness." This is the instrument or ground upon which grace reigns. It is Christ's righteousness imputed to believers and the new life that flows from it.
eis (unto): "Into," "leading to."
zoe (life): "Life," specifically the eternal, spiritual life God gives.
aionion (eternal): "Age-long," "everlasting." Pertaining to unending life in quality and duration.
en (in): Indicates the agency or sphere.
Christo (Christ): "Anointed One," referring to Jesus.
Iesou (Jesus): "Yahweh is salvation." The personal name of the Son of God.
kuriō (Lord): "Master," "Sovereign." Emphasizes Jesus' divine authority.
hemon (our): Possessive pronoun.
Groups of Words Analysis:
- "much more...grace...hath abounded" (perisseuo...charis): Reinforces the immense sufficiency of God's grace, exceeding the damage caused by sin.
- "grace reigns through righteousness" (charis basileuo dia dikaiosunes): Connects the active reign of grace to the foundational principle of God's justice and Christ's perfect righteousness.
- "unto eternal life" (eis zoe aionion): Specifies the glorious destination and outcome of grace's reign.
- "by Jesus Christ our Lord" (en Christo Iesou kuriō hemon): Identifies the exclusive channel and sovereign Lord through whom this reign and life are accomplished.
Romans 5 17 Bonus Section
The concept of "reigning" (basileuo) is significant. In the Roman world, reigns were associated with absolute power and dominion. Paul uses this powerful imagery to convey that grace, channeled through Christ's righteousness, has overthrown the dominion of sin and death. This isn't a mere temporary cessation of sin's power, but a fundamental shift in authority. The Greek word basileuo is used to describe kings who rule in their kingdom (1 Tim 6:15, Rev 17:18). Here, grace and Christ establish a new kingdom where His rule secures life, not death. The contrast with sin reigning unto death is critical for understanding the completeness of salvation and transformation provided by God.
Romans 5 17 Commentary
This verse powerfully articulates the triumph of God's grace. It moves beyond merely stating forgiveness; it asserts the active, reigning power of grace. Adam's sin introduced a reign of sin that inevitably led to death. In contrast, Christ's act of righteousness establishes a new reign, the reign of grace, which secures eternal life. This is not a passive bestowal but an active, kingly influence in the believer's life. The emphasis on "much more" highlights the boundless, overwhelming superiority of God's redemptive work in Christ over the fall. Righteousness, both imputed and imparted through Christ, becomes the pathway for grace to exercise its ruling power, leading ultimately to eternal life. The phrase "by Jesus Christ our Lord" firmly anchors this entire operation in His person and work, affirming His sovereign authority.
Practical Application:
- When facing temptation, remember that grace, empowered by Christ's righteousness, reigns in you, giving you the strength to overcome.
- Live with assurance that your life is defined by the reign of grace, not the power of past sins.
- Share this truth: God's grace is more powerful than any sin or any person's fall.