Romans 5:20 kjv
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Romans 5:20 nkjv
Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,
Romans 5:20 niv
The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
Romans 5:20 esv
Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
Romans 5:20 nlt
God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God's wonderful grace became more abundant.
Romans 5 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 5:12 | "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin" | Sets up the contrast for surpassing grace |
| Genesis 3:6 | Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit | The entrance of sin into humanity |
| Romans 6:23 | "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life" | Reinforces the outcome of sin vs. God's gift |
| 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 | "For since death came through a man, so also the resurrection of the dead came through a man." | Parallels Adam's impact with Christ's impact |
| John 1:16 | "For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." | Emphasizes abundance of God's grace |
| Ephesians 1:7 | "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses" | Highlights redemption through Christ's blood |
| Colossians 1:13-14 | "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." | Christ's work of deliverance and forgiveness |
| Isaiah 53:5 | "But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities" | Christ's suffering for our sins |
| Psalm 103:8 | "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." | God's character of abounding grace |
| Romans 11:32 | "For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all." | God's plan for showing mercy to all |
| 1 Timothy 1:14 | "and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." | Personal testimony of overflowing grace |
| 2 Corinthians 5:19 | "in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them" | God reconciling the world through Christ |
| Hebrews 9:22 | "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." | Blood shedding for forgiveness |
| 1 John 2:1-2 | "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He himself is the propitiation for our sins" | Christ as propitiation for sins |
| Romans 5:15 | "But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ, abounded for many." | Directly compares trespass and gift |
| Romans 5:17 | "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." | Reign of grace and righteousness vs. death |
| John 3:16 | "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." | God's love and the gift of eternal life |
| Titus 2:11 | "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people" | Grace bringing salvation to all |
| 1 Peter 1:2 | "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you." | Sprinkling of blood and grace |
| 1 Peter 5:10 | "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his own eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." | God of all grace restores and establishes |
| Jude 1:2 | "May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you." | Multiplied grace and peace |
Romans 5 verses
Romans 5 20 Meaning
This verse highlights the superabounding grace of God through Jesus Christ, which far exceeds the magnitude of sin introduced by Adam. Where sin and death reigned through one man, grace now reigns through righteousness, leading to eternal life. It emphasizes that God's merciful provision is significantly greater than humanity's fallen condition.
Romans 5 20 Context
Romans chapter 5 draws a powerful contrast between the sin and death introduced by Adam and the grace and life brought by Jesus Christ. The preceding verses have established that Adam's disobedience resulted in sin entering the world and spreading to all humanity, leading to death. This condition affects everyone. Verse 19 summarizes this: "So then, as through one disobedience the many were made sinners, so through one obedience the many will be made righteous." Romans 5:20 builds directly upon this foundation, asserting that the extent of God's grace, mediated through Christ's obedience, vastly outweighs the sin that reigned. This section of Romans addresses the theme of justification by faith, assuring believers that through Christ's atoning work, they are declared righteous and have access to abundant grace. The historical context involves Jewish Christians grappling with the implications of the Mosaic Law. Paul is explaining that while the Law revealed sin, it could not overcome it. In fact, it often magnified the problem of sin. God's grace through Christ, however, offers a definitive solution.
Romans 5 20 Word Analysis
- "Moreover" (Hebrew: 'epidē', Greek:
epipeiso)- Meaning: Furthermore; moreover; in addition.
- Significance: Introduces an additional point or strengthens the preceding argument.
- "where" (Hebrew: 'ei', Greek:
hou)- Meaning: In which place; wherein; where.
- Significance: Introduces a relative clause indicating the circumstance or location of the preceding statement.
- "sin" (Hebrew: 'ḥāṭā', Greek:
hamartia)- Meaning: Sin; missing the mark; error.
- Significance: Refers to Adam's disobedience which introduced sin into the world, as detailed in Romans 5:12.
- "abounded" (Hebrew: rābâ, Greek:
eblasthēsen)- Meaning: Increased; abounded; became exceedingly.
- Significance: Emphasizes a massive, overflowing quantity.
- "much more" (Hebrew: kā‘ôḍ me’ôḍ, Greek:
mallon pollō)- Meaning: Far more; still more; even more.
- Significance: A comparative term indicating a far greater degree or extent.
- "grace" (Hebrew: ḥēn, Greek:
charis)- Meaning: Grace; favor; goodwill.
- Significance: The unmerited favor of God.
- "so" (Hebrew: kĕn, Greek:
houtōs)- Meaning: Thus; in this way; so.
- Significance: Indicates manner or result, linking the grace to its consequence.
- "grace" (Hebrew: ḥēn, Greek:
charis)- Meaning: Grace; favor; goodwill.
- Significance: God's undeserved kindness, which is actively imparted.
- "might" (Hebrew: yūkal, Greek:
dikaiōsin)- Meaning: To justify; to make righteous. (This is a crucial interpretive nuance, as the typical meaning of "might" as ability is not directly conveyed here in the original Greek. The Greek term is from the root
dikaiosmeaning "righteous"). - Significance: Here, it is directly linked to justification and righteousness. The grace of God is the means through which righteousness is granted.
- Meaning: To justify; to make righteous. (This is a crucial interpretive nuance, as the typical meaning of "might" as ability is not directly conveyed here in the original Greek. The Greek term is from the root
- "reign" (Hebrew: malak, Greek:
basileusē)- Meaning: To reign; to rule; to be king.
- Significance: Implies a sovereign and powerful influence. Grace now has dominion.
- "through" (Hebrew: ba‘ăḇūr, Greek:
dia)- Meaning: Through; by means of.
- Significance: Indicates the agency or instrument.
- "righteousness" (Hebrew: ṣĕdāqâ, Greek:
dikaiosunēn)- Meaning: Righteousness; justice.
- Significance: The state of being right with God, imparted by Christ.
- "unto" (Hebrew: ‘al, Greek:
eis)- Meaning: Unto; into; to.
- Significance: Indicates direction and purpose.
- "eternal" (Hebrew: ‘ôlam, Greek:
aiōnios)- Meaning: Eternal; everlasting; age-long.
- Significance: Denotes endless duration.
- "life" (Hebrew: ḥay, Greek:
zōēn)- Meaning: Life.
- Significance: Refers to true, spiritual, and everlasting life in God's presence.
Group Analysis:The phrase "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" sets up a profound theological equation. It states that the inflow of sin through Adam, while vast and damning, is overshadowed by the even greater inflow of God's grace and the resulting righteousness through Christ. The grace does not merely balance sin; it superabounds. This leads to the conclusion that "grace might reign through righteousness unto eternal life." This signifies that grace is the active principle that, when coupled with the imputed righteousness of Christ, brings about the dominion of eternal life, not just as a future hope but as a present reality.
Romans 5 20 Bonus Section
The concept of "reigning" grace is significant. It's not a passive allowance but an active, conquering force that dominates. This counters any notion that believers are still largely under the dominion of sin. By focusing on grace reigning through righteousness, the verse also connects justification directly to the new life believers experience. The righteousness God grants through faith is the very channel through which His grace exercises its victorious reign in their lives, leading them into eternal life. This divine transaction is central to the gospel message: God's perfect solution is infinitely greater than humanity's problem.
Romans 5 20 Commentary
This verse articulates the ultimate victory of God's grace over sin and death. Paul uses strong comparative language ("much more") to emphasize the overwhelming sufficiency of Christ's work. Adam's sin brought condemnation and death to many, but Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death offer unmerited favor and righteousness, leading to an abundance of life for all who believe. Grace doesn't just neutralize sin; it reigns supremely. This reign is accomplished "through righteousness," which is the gift of God to believers, enabling them to live in fellowship with Him, secure in His saving grace, and looking forward to eternal life. It's a declaration of hope, assuring believers that their sin problem is met and surpassed by God's immense mercy and redemptive power in Jesus Christ.