Amplified Bible
Romans 5:20
20But the Law came to increase and expand [the awareness of] the trespass [by defining and unmasking sin]. But where sin increased, [God’s remarkable, gracious gift of] grace [His unmerited favor] has surpassed it and increased all the more,
Romans 5:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
- New International Version (NIV)The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
- English Standard Version (ESV)Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
- New King James Version (NKJV)Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,
Context of Romans 5:20
18So then as through one trespass [Adam’s sin] there resulted condemnation for all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19For just as through one man’s disobedience [his failure to hear, his carelessness] the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of the one Man the many will be made righteous and acceptable to God and brought into right standing with Him. But the Law came to increase and expand [the awareness of] the trespass [by defining and unmasking sin]. But where sin increased, [God’s remarkable, gracious gift of] grace [His unmerited favor] has surpassed it and increased all the more, 21so that, as sin reigned in death, so also grace would reign through righteousness which brings eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Read all of Romans 5Romans 5:20 word by word
Νόμος δὲ παρεισῆλθεν, ἵνα πλεονάσῃ τὸ παράπτωμα· οὗ δὲ ἐπλεόνασεν ἡ ἁμαρτία, ὑπερεπερίσσευσεν ἡ χάρις,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Moreoverδέde · thenG1161
- the lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
- enteredπαρεισέρχομαιpareiserchomai · to come inG3922
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- the offenceὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the offenceπαράπτωμαparaptōma · trespassG3900
- might aboundπλεονάζωpleonazō · to increaseG4121
- whereοὗhou · whitherG3757
- sinἁμαρτίαhamartia · sinG266
- graceχάριςcharis · graceG5485
- did much more aboundὑπερπερισσεύωhuperperisseuō · to aboundG5248
Cross-references for Romans 5:20
- Romans 3:19Now we know that whatever the Law [of Moses] says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that [the excuses of] every mouth may be silenced [from protesting] and that all the world may be held accountable to God [and subject to His judgment].
- Romans 4:15For the Law results in [God’s] wrath [against sin], but where there is no law, there is no violation [of it either].
- Romans 6:14For sin will no longer be a master over you, since you are not under Law [as slaves], but under [unmerited] grace [as recipients of God’s favor and mercy].
- Romans 7:5When we were living in the flesh [trapped by sin], the sinful passions, which were awakened by [that which] the Law [identifies as sin], were at work in our body to bear fruit for death [since the willingness to sin led to death and separation from God].
- John 15:22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have [the guilt of their] sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
- 2 Corinthians 3:7Now if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones [the covenant of the Law which led to death because of sin], came with such glory and splendor that the Israelites were not able to look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, [a brilliance] that was fading,
- Galatians 3:19Why, then, the Law [what was its purpose]? It was added [after the promise to Abraham, to reveal to people their guilt] because of transgressions [that is, to make people conscious of the sinfulness of sin], and [the Law] was ordained through angels and delivered to Israel by the hand of a mediator [Moses, the mediator between God and Israel, to be in effect] until the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
- Romans 6:1What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God’s gift of] grace may increase and overflow?
- 2 Chronicles 33:9So Manasseh caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to sin, by doing more evil than the [pagan] nations whom the Lord had destroyed before the sons of Israel.
- Psalms 25:11For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my wickedness and my guilt, for they are great.
- Isaiah 1:18“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.
- Isaiah 43:24You have not bought Me sweet cane with money, Nor have you filled Me with the fat of your sacrifices; But you have burdened Me with your sins, You have wearied Me with your wickedness.
- Jeremiah 3:8And I saw [that even though Judah knew] that for all the acts of adultery (idolatry) of faithless Israel, I [the Lord] had sent her away and given her a certificate of divorce, yet her treacherous sister Judah was not afraid; but she went and was a prostitute also [following after idols].
- Ezekiel 16:52Also bear your disgrace [as punishment], having made judgment favorable for your sisters, for [you virtually absolved them] because of your sins in which you behaved more repulsively than they; they are more in the right than you. Yes, be ashamed and bear your disgrace, for you made your [pagan] sisters seem righteous.
- Ezekiel 36:25Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your uncleanness and from all your idols.
- Micah 7:18Who is a God like You, who forgives wickedness And passes over the rebellious acts of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He [constantly] delights in mercy and lovingkindness.
Commentaries on Romans 5:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20The law entered that (̔ ) the offense might abound - After considering various opinions concerning the true meaning of this verse, (see under Romans 5:12; (note)), I am induced to prefer my own, as being the most simple. By law I understand the Mosaic law. By entering in, , or, rather, coming in privily, see Galatians 2:4, (the only place where it occurs besides), I understand the temporary or limited use of that law, which was, as far as its rites and…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Moreover - But. What is said in this verse and the following, seems designed to meet the Jew, who might pretend that the Law of Moses was intended to meet the evils of sin introduced by Adam, and therefore that the scheme defended by the apostle was unnecessary. He therefore shows them that the effect of the Law of Moses was to increase rather than to diminish the sins which had been introduced into the world. And if such was the fact, it could not be…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-21Verses 20-21 By Christ and his righteousness, we have more and greater privileges than we lost by the offence of Adam. The moral law showed that many thoughts, tempers, words, and actions, were sinful, thus transgressions were multiplied. Not making sin to abound the more, but discovering the sinfulness of it, even as the letting in a clearer light into a room, discovers the dust and filth which were there before, but were not seen. The sin of Adam, and…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20Many Jews believed that God’s law, given to Israel, reversed or reduced the harmful effects of Adam’s sin. Paul says instead that God’s law caused sin to increase and helped people see their sin more clearly.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 20-2120-21. Moreover the law--"The law, however." The Jew might say, If the whole purposes of God towards men center in Adam and Christ, where does "the law" come in, and what was the use of it? Answer: It entered--But the word expresses an important idea besides "entering." It signifies, "entered incidentally," or "parenthetically." (In Ga 2:4 the same word is rendered, "came in privily.") The meaning is, that the promulgation of the law at Sinai was no…Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 5:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Romans 5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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