Romans 5:21 kjv
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:21 nkjv
so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:21 niv
so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:21 esv
so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:21 nlt
So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 5:18 | ...as one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. | Justification and Life |
| Rom 5:19 | For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. | Adam's Disobedience/Christ's Obedience |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. | Manifestations of Grace |
| 1 Tim 1:14 | The grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. | Overflowing Grace |
| John 1:16 | Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. | Abundance of Grace |
| John 3:16 | For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. | Gift of Eternal Life |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. | Confidence through Grace |
| 1 Cor 15:57 | But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. | Victory through Christ |
| Phil 3:9 | and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. | Righteousness by Faith |
| Col 1:13 | For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. | Deliverance from Darkness |
| 1 John 5:11-12 | And this is the testimony: God has dealt eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. | Life in the Son |
| Rev 22:17 | The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let them come; and whoever wishes, let them take the free gift of the water of life. | Invitation to Life |
| Eph 2:4-5 | But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. | Rescued by Grace |
| 1 Pet 5:10 | And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, will restore, support, strengthen and build you up. | God of All Grace |
| Titus 2:11-12 | For the grace of God has appeared that offers the salvation of all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. | Transformative Grace |
| John 5:26 | For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son life in himself. | Life in the Son (Source) |
| Rom 6:23 | For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. | Wages of Sin vs. Gift of God |
| Rom 8:1 | Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. | No Condemnation |
| 1 Cor 1:30 | It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. | Christ Our Righteousness |
| Psalm 36:9 | For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. | Source of Life |
Romans 5 verses
Romans 5 21 Meaning
The exceeding abundance of God's grace, received through righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ, reigns supreme, leading to eternal life. This reign surpasses the dominion of sin, which had brought death. Grace, empowered by divine righteousness, becomes the ultimate authority in the believer's life, directing them towards unending life.
Romans 5 21 Context
Romans 5 stands as a pivotal chapter in Paul's letter, delving into the transformative effects of justification by faith in Jesus Christ. Following the demonstration of God's love through Christ's sacrifice (vv. 6-10), Paul contrasts the dominion of Adam's sin and death with the reign of grace through Christ's righteousness and life. Verses 12-21 present this elaborate comparison. Verse 21 serves as the triumphant conclusion to this section, emphatically stating that where sin abounded, grace abounded all the more. The immediate context is the surpassing power of God's grace and righteousness, imputed through Christ's atoning work, over the pervasive influence of sin that leads to death. Historically, the Roman church comprised both Jewish and Gentile believers, and Paul's argument for the universal impact of sin through Adam and redemption through Christ would have been profoundly significant for understanding their shared identity in God's plan.
Romans 5 21 Word Analysis
- "so that": (Gk. hopōs) - This particle introduces the purpose or result of the preceding statements about grace. It connects the "abounding of grace" to its ultimate outcome.
- "as": (Gk. hōsper) - A comparative particle, drawing a parallel and highlighting the manner or extent. Here, it links the way sin reigned to the way grace reigns.
- "sin": (Gk. hamartia) - Literally, "missing the mark." In this context, it refers not only to individual acts of transgression but also to the sinful state and power inherited from Adam, which held humanity captive.
- "has reigned": (Gk. ebasileusen) - The aorist tense indicates a completed action with a continuing result. Sin had exercised its kingly power over humanity.
- "unto": (Gk. eis) - Denotes direction or purpose. Sin reigned towards or resulting in death.
- "death": (Gk. thanatos) - Refers to both physical death and spiritual separation from God, the ultimate consequence of sin.
- "so also": (Gk. houtōs kai) - Continues the parallel comparison introduced by "as."
- "grace": (Gk. charis) - Divine favor, unmerited assistance, kindness. Here, it signifies the boundless and active favor of God demonstrated in Christ.
- "might reign": (Gk. basileusē) - The subjunctive mood, following "so that," indicates purpose and the intended reign of grace. Grace is not merely present but actively rules.
- "through": (Gk. dia) - Indicates the means or agency. Grace reigns by means of righteousness.
- "righteousness": (Gk. dikaiosynē) - Rightness, conformity to God's standard. This refers to the righteousness of Christ imputed to believers and the resulting righteousness of life that flows from it.
- "unto": (Gk. eis) - Again, direction or purpose. Grace reigns towards or resulting in eternal life.
- "eternal": (Gk. aiōnios) - Pertaining to an age or an age to come; everlasting, perpetual. It signifies life that transcends temporal limitations and belongs to the eternal life of God.
- "life": (Gk. zōē) - Refers to true, spiritual, and eternal life, a quality of existence given by God.
Grouped Word Analysis
- "so that... as sin... has reigned unto death, so also might grace reign...": This structure emphasizes the direct counter-action of grace against the dominion of sin. It posits grace not merely as a remedial measure but as a sovereign power that eclipses sin's rule. The shift from the indicative ("has reigned") for sin to the subjunctive ("might reign") for grace highlights God's active purpose and provision for grace to establish its authority.
- "through righteousness": This is the pivotal instrument of grace's reign. It’s not a conditional reign that is dependent on human efforts but on Christ’s imputed righteousness, which then empowers a righteous life.
- "unto eternal life": This specifies the destination and ultimate outcome of grace's reign. It’s not merely temporal blessing but unending fellowship and life with God, secured by Christ.
Romans 5 21 Bonus Section
The finality of the word "unto" (Gk. eis) for both death and eternal life is significant. It suggests a determined destination, a one-way trajectory. Sin's trajectory ends in death. Christ's work, through the reign of grace and righteousness, establishes believers on a trajectory towards eternal life. This contrasts sharply with any teaching that suggests an ongoing struggle where sin might regain ascendancy in a believer's life. The grace described is not passive but actively exercises kingly power. The concept of "reigning" is central here; grace functions as a king, actively governing and directing the life of the believer towards its intended, glorious outcome.
Romans 5 21 Commentary
Romans 5:21 is the crescendo of Paul's argument comparing Adam and Christ. It unequivocally declares that God's grace, manifested and administered through Christ's perfect righteousness, has triumphantly overcome the reign of sin and death. This isn't just an exchange of rulers; it's an overwhelming victory. Where sin held sway and inevitably led to death, grace, empowered by Christ's atoning sacrifice and our faith in Him, now governs. This reign of grace is active, guiding believers towards an eternity of life with God. The imputation of Christ’s righteousness is the foundation upon which this reign is established, resulting in a life that is inherently righteous and oriented towards eternal life. This verse reassures believers that they are not under the old dominion of sin but are now subjects of a gracious and victorious King, Jesus Christ.