Romans 5 21

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 verses

Romans 5 21 Meaning

Romans 5:21 concludes Paul's exposition on the Adam-Christ typology by highlighting the ultimate triumph of God's grace. It states that just as sin exercised its dominion, leading to death, so also God's unmerited favor, empowered by divine righteousness, will reign supreme, ushering believers into eternal life, all made possible through Jesus Christ our Lord. This verse emphasizes the complete reversal of sin's consequence through God's redemptive work.

Romans 5 21 Context

Romans 5:21 serves as the climactic conclusion to a pivotal theological section in Romans, specifically chapters 5:12-21, often called the Adam-Christ Parallel. Prior to this, Paul meticulously established humanity's universal sinfulness (Rom 1:18-3:20) and the radical provision of justification by faith in Christ's atoning work (Rom 3:21-4:25).

In Rom 5:1-11, Paul introduces the blessed fruits of justification, such as peace with God and access to grace. The subsequent section, Rom 5:12-21, delves into the how and why of Christ's unparalleled significance. Paul uses Adam as a historical and representative figure whose single act of disobedience brought sin and death to all humanity (Rom 5:12-14). He then meticulously demonstrates how Christ, as the second Adam, acted as a new head of humanity, and through His one act of righteousness (his obedience unto death), His grace, righteousness, and eternal life have superabounded, utterly reversing and overwhelming Adam's destructive legacy (Rom 5:15-19).

Romans 5:20 then emphasizes that the Law "slipped in alongside" to reveal the depth of sin, but importantly, "where sin increased, grace superabounded all the more." Verse 21 then seals this argument, explicitly stating the triumphant reign of grace over the previous dominion of sin, with eternal life as its ultimate destination, secured through Christ. It's a direct counter-narrative to the prevailing despair of a world enslaved to sin and death, affirming God's powerful solution through Christ.

Romans 5 21 Word analysis

• ὥσπερ (hosper) - "just as" / "even as": This Greek conjunction signals a direct comparison or analogy, linking the statement about grace's reign back to the preceding description of sin's reign (Rom 5:12, 17, 18, 19). It indicates a similar mode of operation or outcome, even if the natures are opposite.
• ἡ ἁμαρτία (hē hamartia) - "sin": Refers to a state of rebellion against God, a failure to hit the mark. Here, personified as a ruling monarch, highlighting its pervasive and dominant power over humanity inherited from Adam. It denotes not just individual acts but a corrupt nature and power.
• ἐβασίλευσεν (ebasileusen) - "reigned" / "became king": An aorist active indicative verb, denoting a definitive historical action that took place and had ongoing effects. It powerfully illustrates sin's forceful, authoritative dominion over humanity and the world following Adam's transgression. It signifies an established and powerful rule.
• ἐν τῷ θανάτῳ (en tō thanatō) - "in death": This phrase identifies the sphere or realm of sin's sovereignty. "Death" (θάνατος, thanatos) encompasses physical demise, spiritual separation from God, and eternal alienation from His presence. It is the ultimate consequence and proof of sin's tyrannical reign.
• οὕτως (houtōs) - "so also" / "in the same way": This adverb directly mirrors "just as," introducing the triumphant counterpart to sin's reign. It underscores the proportional and equally certain, though qualitatively superior, reign of grace.
• ἡ χάρις (hē charis) - "grace": Denotes God's unmerited favor, love, and benevolent activity towards humanity, particularly the undeserving. In contrast to sin, grace is not a destructive power but a benevolent one, bestowed by God. It signifies divine kindness extended freely.
• βασιλεύσῃ (basileusē) - "might reign" / "should reign": This is an aorist active subjunctive verb, often conveying purpose, result, or a strong likelihood, sometimes with a future orientation. In this context, given the comparison and preceding verses (Rom 5:17, 20), it strongly implies a certain, triumphant reign that God purposes and establishes. It signifies an effective and lasting kingship.
• διὰ δικαιοσύνης (dia dikaiosynēs) - "through righteousness": This prepositional phrase indicates the instrumental means or channel by which grace's reign is accomplished. This righteousness is not human self-righteousness, but God's divine standard and provision—specifically the imputed righteousness of Christ, credited to believers by faith (Rom 3:21-22, 4:5). It is the proper, legal ground for grace's action.
• εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον (eis zōēn aiōnion) - "to eternal life": This defines the goal, outcome, and destiny of grace's reign. "Eternal life" (ζωὴ αἰώνιος, zōē aiōnios) is not merely endless existence but a qualitative, rich, full life lived in fellowship with God, inaugurated in the present and consummated in the future (John 17:3). It is the opposite of the death brought by sin.
• διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν (dia Iēsou Christou tou Kyriou hēmōn) - "through Jesus Christ our Lord": This phrase identifies the ultimate Mediator and Agent for both righteousness and eternal life. All of God's grace and redemptive work flow exclusively through Christ. He is the singular channel, the sole means of this triumphant reign. "Lord" (Κύριος, Kyrios) highlights His supreme authority and divine status.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "just as sin reigned in death": This phrase succinctly encapsulates the human condition inherited from Adam: under the tyrannical power of sin, leading inevitably to all forms of death. Sin's rule is an oppressive kingdom, and its realm is death.
• "so also grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life": This contrasts directly and emphatically. Grace, God's undeserved favor, acts as the new benevolent ruler. Its reign is effective through the divine standard of righteousness provided by God (Christ's righteousness), and its ultimate purpose and glorious outcome is to usher humanity into unending, full life with God.
• "through Jesus Christ our Lord": This identifies the essential, exclusive, and only mediator and agent by whom this magnificent reversal—from sin and death to grace and eternal life—is possible. It firmly roots the entire theological construct in the person and work of Christ.

Romans 5 21 Bonus section

The metaphor of "reigning" (βασιλεύω, basileuō) is very strong and intentional throughout Romans 5. It frames both sin and grace as powerful, governing forces. Sin's reign is depicted as an enslaving despotism, whereas grace's reign is portrayed as a liberating sovereignty. The choice of the subjunctive mood for grace's reign ("might reign" or "should reign") in 5:21, though expressing purpose or strong certainty here, subtly highlights that this reign of grace requires human reception and participation (faith) in a way that Adam's legacy did not. Adam's sin brought its effects unilaterally, but grace's full reign, particularly in an individual's life, involves their acceptance and active walk in righteousness. This powerful verse underscores that grace does not just cancel sin; it utterly conquers it, establishing a new order that leads to an infinitely superior destination through the perfect work of Jesus Christ.

Romans 5 21 Commentary

Romans 5:21 delivers the decisive declaration of the Gospel's power, asserting the overwhelming superiority of grace over sin. It's not a mere parity or a slight advantage; it signifies a triumphant invasion and takeover. Where sin operated as a tyrannical king, enforcing death upon all, grace enters the arena not just to forgive, but to reign with even greater power and purpose. This reign of grace isn't arbitrary; it is meticulously grounded "through righteousness," a righteousness not achieved by human effort but perfectly fulfilled by Christ and freely given to those who believe. The ultimate outcome of this powerful reign is "eternal life," a life far exceeding mere physical existence, embodying intimate communion with God, spiritual vitality, and a future without end. Crucially, Paul repeatedly emphasizes that this entire divine reversal is channeled "through Jesus Christ our Lord," underscoring His irreplaceable role as the sole mediator and enabler of salvation. This verse reassures believers of grace's absolute victory and the secure foundation of their eternal destiny in Christ.

• Example for practical usage: When tempted to succumb to an old habit or sin pattern (the old "reign of sin"), a believer can actively choose to live under the "reign of grace." This means consciously drawing upon Christ's power and imputed righteousness, recognizing that they are no longer under sin's dominion, but are now empowered to live righteously, experiencing a foretaste of eternal life even now. It’s an act of faith, yielding to the new Master, Grace.