Romans 5:20

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

18Therefore, everyone was condemned through one failure, and everyone received God’s life-giving approval through one verdict. 19Clearly, through one person’s disobedience humanity became sinful, and through one person’s obedience humanity will receive God’s approval. The laws in Moses’ Teachings were added to increase the failure. But where sin increased, God’s kindness increased even more. 21As sin ruled by bringing death, God’s kindness would rule by bringing us his approval. This results in our living forever because of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 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 3:19We know that whatever the Scriptures say applies to everyone under their influence, and no one can say a thing. The whole world is brought under the judgment of God.
• Romans 4:15The laws in Moses’ Teachings bring about anger. But where those laws don’t exist, they can’t be broken.
• Romans 6:14Certainly, sin shouldn’t have power over you because you’re not controlled by God’s laws, but by God’s favor.
• Romans 7:5While we were living under the influence of our corrupt nature, sinful passions were at work throughout our bodies. Stirred up by the laws in Moses’ Teachings, our sinful passions did things that result in death.
• John 15:22If I hadn’t come and spoken to them, they wouldn’t have any sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin.
• 2 Corinthians 3:7The ministry that brought death was inscribed on stone. Yet, it came with such glory that the people of Israel couldn’t look at Moses’ face. His face was shining with glory, even though that glory was fading.
• Galatians 3:19What, then, is the purpose of the laws given to Moses? They were added to identify what wrongdoing is. Moses’ laws did this until the descendant to whom the promise was given came. It was put into effect through angels, using a mediator.
• Romans 6:1What should we say then? Should we continue to sin so that God’s kindness will increase?
• 2 Chronicles 33:9Manasseh misled Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem so that they did more evil things than the nations that the Lord had destroyed when the Israelites arrived in the land.
• Psalms 25:11For the sake of your name, O Lord, remove my guilt, because it is great.
• Isaiah 1:18“Come on now, let’s discuss this!” says the Lord. “Though your sins are bright red, they will become as white as snow. Though they are dark red, they will become as white as wool.
• Isaiah 43:24You did not buy me any sugar cane with ⌞your⌟ money or satisfy me with the best part of your sacrifices. Rather, you burdened me with your sins and troubled me with your wrongdoings.
• Jeremiah 3:8Judah saw that I sent unfaithful Israel away because of her adultery and that I gave Israel her divorce papers. But treacherous Judah, her sister, wasn’t afraid. She also acted like a prostitute.
• Ezekiel 16:52You will have to suffer disgrace because you accused your sisters. Yet, your sins are more disgusting than theirs. They look like they are innocent compared to you. Be ashamed of yourself and suffer disgrace, because you have made your sisters look like they are innocent.
• Ezekiel 36:25I will sprinkle clean water on you and make you clean instead of unclean. Then I will cleanse you from all your idols.
• Micah 7:18Who is a God like you? You forgive sin and overlook the rebellion of your faithful people. You will not be angry forever, because you would rather show mercy.

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

• Adam
• Atonement
• Grace of God
• Justification
• Salvation
• Sin

In the dictionaries

• Abound
• Access
• Atonement
• Condemnation
• Die
• Disobedience
• Faith
• Figure
• Grace
• Pardon

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