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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 5:20 The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/5-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/45_Rom_05_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 5:20 - Death in Adam, Life in Christ" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/romans/5-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/romans/5-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/romans/">Romans</a> > <a href="/romans/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/romans/5-19.htm" title="Romans 5:19">◄</a> Romans 5:20 <a href="/romans/5-21.htm" title="Romans 5:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/romans/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/romans/5.htm">New International Version</a> The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, <a href="/nlt/romans/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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. <a href="/esv/romans/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, <a href="/bsb/romans/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more, <a href="/blb/romans/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now the Law entered so that trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace overabounded, <a href="/kjv/romans/5.htm">King James Bible</a> Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: <a href="/nkjv/romans/5.htm">New King James Version</a> Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, <a href="/nasb_/romans/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The Law came in so that the offense would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, <a href="/nasb/romans/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, <a href="/nasb77/romans/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, <a href="/lsb/romans/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now the Law came in so that the transgression would increase, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, <a href="/amp/romans/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> 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, <a href="/csb/romans/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more <a href="/hcsb/romans/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more <a href="/asv/romans/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly: <a href="/cev/romans/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The Law came, so that the full power of sin could be seen. Yet where sin was powerful, God's gift of undeserved grace was even more powerful. <a href="/erv/romans/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the law came in beside, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly: <a href="/gwt/romans/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Laws were added to increase the failure. But where sin increased, God's kindness increased even more. <a href="/gnt/romans/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> Law was introduced in order to increase wrongdoing; but where sin increased, God's grace increased much more. <a href="/isv/romans/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now the Law crept in so that the offense would increase. But where sin increased, grace increased even more, <a href="/msb/romans/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more, <a href="/net/romans/5.htm">NET Bible</a> Now the law came in so that the transgression may increase, but where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more, <a href="/nheb/romans/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly; <a href="/wbt/romans/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: <a href="/wey/romans/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now Law was brought in later on, so that transgression might increase. But where sin increased, grace has overflowed; <a href="/web/romans/5.htm">World English Bible</a> The law came in that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And law came in, that the offense might abound, and where sin abounded, grace hyper-abounded, <a href="/blb/romans/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now the Law entered so that trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace overabounded, <a href="/ylt/romans/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And law came in, that the offence might abound, and where the sin did abound, the grace did overabound, <a href="/slt/romans/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the law entered, that the fall might abound. And where sin abounded, grace superabounded:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Now the law entered in, that sin might abound. And where sin abounded, grace did more abound. <a href="/cpdv/romans/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now the law entered in such a way that offenses would abound. But where offenses were abundant, grace was superabundant. <a href="/nabre/romans/5.htm">New American Bible</a> The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, <a href="/nrsvce/romans/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> The introduction of the law caused sin to increase, and when sin had increased, grace became abundant. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But there was the introduction to The Written Law that sin would increase, and wherever sin increased, there grace superabounded.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But, besides the first offense, law was introduced, in order that offenses might abound: but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: <a href="/godbey/romans/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But the law came, that the transgression might abound; but where sin did abound, there did grace superabound: <a href="/haweis/romans/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But the law was introduced, that the offence might be more abundant. But where sin had abounded, there hath grace abounded more exceedingly: <a href="/mace/romans/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> the law was introduc'd, that the greatness of the fall might fully appear; but the more sin display'd its enormity, the divine favour was so much the more transcendent. <a href="/wey/romans/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now Law was brought in later on, so that transgression might increase. But where sin increased, grace has overflowed; <a href="/worrell/romans/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And the law entered, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did super-abound; <a href="/worsley/romans/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Now the law made some entrance, that the offence might appear to abound; but where sin abounded, grace hath superabounded; that as sin had reigned in death, <a href="/parallel/romans/5-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=1289" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/5.htm">Death in Adam, Life in Christ</a> …19For 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. 20<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: Nomos (N-NMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">The law</a> <a href="/greek/3922.htm" title="3922: pareisēlthen (V-AIA-3S) -- From para and eiserchomai; to come in alongside, i.e. Supervene additionally or steathily.">came in</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">so that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3900.htm" title="3900: paraptōma (N-NNS) -- A falling away, lapse, slip, false step, trespass, sin. From parapipto; a side-slip, i.e. error or transgression.">trespass</a> <a href="/greek/4121.htm" title="4121: pleonasē (V-ASA-3S) -- From pleion; to do, make or be more, i.e. Increase; by extension, to superabound.">would increase;</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3757.htm" title="3757: hou (Adv) -- Where, whither, when, in what place. Genitive case of hos as adverb; at which place, i.e. Where.">where</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartia (N-NFS) -- From hamartano; a sin.">sin</a> <a href="/greek/4121.htm" title="4121: epleonasen (V-AIA-3S) -- From pleion; to do, make or be more, i.e. Increase; by extension, to superabound.">increased,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5485.htm" title="5485: charis (N-NFS) -- From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.">grace</a> <a href="/greek/5248.htm" title="5248: hypereperisseusen (V-AIA-3S) -- (a) intrans: I abound exceedingly, (b) dep: I overflow. From huper and perisseuo; to super-abound.">increased all the more,</a> 21so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Galatians 3:19</a> Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. <a href="/1_timothy/1-14.htm">1 Timothy 1:14</a> And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. <a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a> So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-7.htm">2 Corinthians 3:7-9</a> Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? / For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness! <a href="/john/1-16.htm">John 1:16-17</a> From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace. / For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-56.htm">1 Corinthians 15:56</a> The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. <a href="/galatians/5-13.htm">Galatians 5:13</a> For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. <a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-9</a> For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast. <a href="/titus/2-11.htm">Titus 2:11</a> For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. <a href="/hebrews/7-19.htm">Hebrews 7:19</a> (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. <a href="/galatians/2-21.htm">Galatians 2:21</a> I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. <a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9</a> But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. <a href="/galatians/5-4.htm">Galatians 5:4</a> You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. <a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Hebrews 10:1</a> For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. <a href="/isaiah/53-5.htm">Isaiah 53:5</a> But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:the law.<a href="/romans/3-19.htm">Romans 3:19,20</a> Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God… <a href="/romans/4-15.htm">Romans 4:15</a> Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.<a href="/romans/6-14.htm">Romans 6:14</a> For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.But.<a href="/romans/6-1.htm">Romans 6:1</a> What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?<a href="/2_chronicles/33-9.htm">2 Chronicles 33:9-13</a> So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel… <a href="/psalms/25-11.htm">Psalm 25:11</a> For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/5-15.htm">Abound</a> <a href="/romans/5-15.htm">Abounded</a> <a href="/acts/12-17.htm">Added</a> <a href="/romans/4-24.htm">Addition</a> <a href="/acts/21-28.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/romans/5-13.htm">Entered</a> <a href="/acts/27-18.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/romans/5-17.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/acts/12-24.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/acts/19-20.htm">Increased</a> <a href="/romans/5-14.htm">Law</a> <a href="/acts/24-6.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/romans/5-18.htm">Offence</a> <a href="/romans/5-18.htm">Offense</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/7-4.htm">Overabound</a> <a href="/romans/1-29.htm">Overflowed</a> <a href="/romans/5-16.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/romans/5-18.htm">Transgression</a> <a href="/romans/5-18.htm">Trespass</a> <a href="/romans/3-9.htm">Worse</a> <a href="/romans/5-19.htm">Wrongdoing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/6-1.htm">Abound</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-2.htm">Abounded</a> <a href="/galatians/2-6.htm">Added</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-11.htm">Addition</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-16.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-9.htm">Entered</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-8.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/romans/5-21.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/romans/6-1.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-15.htm">Increased</a> <a href="/romans/6-14.htm">Law</a> <a href="/romans/8-30.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/romans/9-33.htm">Offence</a> <a href="/romans/9-33.htm">Offense</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/7-4.htm">Overabound</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-2.htm">Overflowed</a> <a href="/romans/5-21.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/romans/11-11.htm">Transgression</a> <a href="/romans/11-11.htm">Trespass</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-10.htm">Worse</a> <a href="/romans/11-26.htm">Wrongdoing</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 5</div>1. <a href="/romans/5-1.htm">Being justified by faith, we have peace with God;</a> 2. <a href="/romans/5-2.htm">and joy in our hope;</a> 8. <a href="/romans/5-8.htm">that since we were reconciled by his blood, when we were enemies;</a> 10. <a href="/romans/5-10.htm">we shall much more be saved, being reconciled.</a> 12. <a href="/romans/5-12.htm">As sin and death came by Adam;</a> 17. <a href="/romans/5-17.htm">so much more righteousness and life by Jesus Christ.</a> 20. <a href="/romans/5-20.htm">Where sin abounded, grace did superabound.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/romans/5.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>The law came in The Greek word for "law" here is "νόμος" (nomos), which refers to the Mosaic Law given to Israel. Historically, the law was introduced to reveal God's standards of holiness and righteousness. It served as a mirror to show humanity its sinful nature. The phrase "came in" suggests an addition or an entrance, indicating that the law was not the original means of salvation but was introduced to serve a specific purpose in God's redemptive plan.so that the trespass would increase The word "trespass" is translated from the Greek "παράπτωμα" (paraptoma), meaning a deviation from truth and uprightness. The law's purpose was not to cause sin but to make humanity aware of its sinfulness. By defining sin, the law highlighted the extent of human rebellion against God. Historically, this aligns with the Jewish understanding that the law was a tutor leading to Christ, as it exposed the depth of human sin and the need for a Savior.but where sin increased The Greek word for "sin" is "ἁμαρτία" (hamartia), which means missing the mark or failing to meet God's standard. The increase of sin refers to the heightened awareness and recognition of sinfulness due to the law. This phrase underscores the pervasive nature of sin in human life, which became more evident with the law's introduction.grace increased all the more The term "grace" comes from the Greek "χάρις" (charis), signifying unmerited favor and divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration and sanctification. The phrase "increased all the more" is translated from "ὑπερπερισσεύω" (hyperperisseuo), meaning to abound exceedingly. This highlights the superabundance of God's grace, which not only matches but surpasses the increase of sin. In a historical and scriptural context, this reflects the transformative power of the Gospel, where God's grace through Jesus Christ overcomes the condemnation brought by the law.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20, 21) The Apostle had already (<a href="/context/romans/5-13.htm" title="(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.">Romans 5:13-14</a>) alluded to the intervention of the Law. Now he returns to the topic, and in order to complete his historical view of the origin of sin through Adam, and its atonement through Christ, he considers what was its effect upon the former, and how that effect was met and neutralised by the latter. Mankind had already been led into sin by Adam. The Law came in to make matters still worse. It substituted conscious sin for unconscious, and so heightened its guilt. But all this is more than retrieved by grace.(20) Entered.--A graphic metaphorical expression: "Came in to the side of" the sin already existing; "took its place," as it were, "by the side of" sin, and joined forces with it, thus greatly adding to its extent and power.Abound.--This word should be reserved for the last of the three places in this verse in which it appears in the Authorised version. The original in the other two places is different, and has the force of "Might be multiplied," or "increased"--i.e., made more and made worse.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 20, 21. - Moreover Law entered (rather, came in besides), that the trespass might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (or, did abound exceedingly): that as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Here νόμος (though without the article; see under ver. 13) refers to the Mosaic Law, the purpose of which in the economy of redemption is thus intimated, so as to complete the view. It was God's purpose from the first that grace should in the end triumph over sin; but in the mean time law came in (cf. προσετέθη in the cognate passage, <a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Galatians 3:19</a>). For what end? Not in itself to accomplish the purpose, not to interfere with its accomplishment, but as an intervening dispensation to prepare for its accomplishment, by convincing of sin, and making it exceeding sinful, and so establishing the need of, and exciting a craving for, redemption. This intervening preparatory office of the Mosaic Law is set forth more at length in <a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Galatians 3:19-26</a>; and the working of the principle of law to this end in the human consciousness is analyzed in ch. 7. of this Epistle. Additional Note on ver.12The significance of the words "life" and "death," as used in St. Paul's Epistles and elsewhere, demands peculiar attention. They evidently bear a sense in many places different from that of ordinary use; and this in accordance with our Lord's own recorded language, as, for instance, in his memorable words to Martha, given in <a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25, 26</a>. The following considerations may aid our comprehension of what is meant. The mysterious principle or potency of life, even in the common acceptation of the term, varies not only in degree, but in kind; and the same living organism may be at the same time alive with respect to its own mode of vitality, and dead with respect to some higher one which vivifies others. The plant, while alive with respect to its own kind of life, is dead to the higher life of sentient beings. The brute beast, while alive with respect to mere animal life, is dead, as it were, to the higher life of intelligent man. A whole world of environing influences to which the mind of man responds, so as to live in them, are to the brute as nothing; it may be said to be dead to them. Now, Scripture teaches, and we believe, that there is a spiritual sphere of things above and beyond this visible sphere, which man is capable of apprehending, being influenced by, and living a still higher life than his natural life therein. He is thus capable through the higher and diviner part of his mysterious being, called by St. Paul his πνεῦμα (cf. <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-23.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:23</a>, Ὑμῶν τὸ πνεῦμα καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ καὶ τὸ σῶμα), when in touch with the Divine πνεῦμα. For man to be in vital correspondence with his spiritual environments is spiritual life; to be out of correspondence with them is spiritual death. And so, as the plant is dead to sentient life, though alive in its own life; or as the brute may be said to be dead to the higher life of man, though alive in mere animal life; so man may be dead as to spiritual life, though alive as to psychical life; and thus "dead while he liveth" (cf. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a>, "The natural man (ψυχικὸς ἄνθρωπος) receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." In other words, he is dead to them). Further, this spiritual life, unlike the psychical life, is ever spoken of as eternal. For it consists in intercommunion of man's immortal part with the spiritual sphere of things which is eternal. Nor does natural death interrupt it; for it is not dependent for its continuance, as is psychical life, on environments from which we are severed by the body's death, but on such as are eternal. Thus, too, we see how it is that eternal life is regarded, not as one that will have its commencement after death, but as one to be enjoyed at present, and to which we are to rise in Christ even now. This idea is notably expressed in our Lord's words above referred to: "I am the Resurrection, and the Life: he that believeth in me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die" (<a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25, 26</a>). Doubtless we are bidden to look forward to a fulness and perfection of the eternal life, of which our present enjoyment of it is but an earnest, in the σῶμα πνευματικόν (<a href="/1_corinthians/15-44.htm">1 Corinthians 15:44</a>) in store for us hereafter - cf. "Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet manifested what we shall be," etc. (<a href="/1_john/3-2.htm">1 John 3:2</a>) - but still this is regarded as but the consummation of a life already begun. On the other hand, whatever penal consequences of a state of spiritual death may be spoken of as in store hereafter for the wicked, it is regarded as being itself but the continuance of a state of death in which they are before they pass away (cf. <a href="/revelation/22-11.htm">Revelation 22:11</a>). In <a href="/romans/5-12.htm">Romans 5:12</a>, etc., to which this note refers, the above view of what is often meant by "death" ought to be kept before us. For, though the apostle seems evidently to be speaking of the natural death that comes to all, he must be taken as regarding it as but the symbol and evidence of the sway of that spiritual death to which all men are now, in their fallen nature, liable. The thoughts embodied in the above note have been derived from, or suggested by, 'Natural Law in the Spiritual World,' by Henry Drummond, F.R.S.E., F.G.S. (Hodder and Stoughton: 1888). <a href="/commentaries/romans/5-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[The] Law Νόμος (Nomos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. was given παρεισῆλθεν (pareisēlthen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3922.htm">Strong's 3922: </a> From para and eiserchomai; to come in alongside, i.e. Supervene additionally or steathily. so that ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. the τὸ (to) Article - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. trespass παράπτωμα (paraptōma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3900.htm">Strong's 3900: </a> A falling away, lapse, slip, false step, trespass, sin. From parapipto; a side-slip, i.e. error or transgression. would increase; πλεονάσῃ (pleonasē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4121.htm">Strong's 4121: </a> From pleion; to do, make or be more, i.e. Increase; by extension, to superabound. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. where οὗ (hou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3757.htm">Strong's 3757: </a> Where, whither, when, in what place. Genitive case of hos as adverb; at which place, i.e. Where. sin ἁμαρτία (hamartia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> From hamartano; a sin. increased, ἐπλεόνασεν (epleonasen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4121.htm">Strong's 4121: </a> From pleion; to do, make or be more, i.e. Increase; by extension, to superabound. grace χάρις (charis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5485.htm">Strong's 5485: </a> From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act. increased all the more, ὑπερεπερίσσευσεν (hypereperisseusen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5248.htm">Strong's 5248: </a> (a) intrans: I abound exceedingly, (b) dep: I overflow. From huper and perisseuo; to super-abound. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/5-20.htm">Romans 5:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/5-20.htm">Romans 5:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/5-20.htm">Romans 5:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/5-20.htm">Romans 5:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/5-20.htm">Romans 5:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/5-20.htm">Romans 5:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/5-20.htm">Romans 5:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/5-20.htm">Romans 5:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/5-20.htm">Romans 5:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/5-20.htm">Romans 5:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/5-20.htm">NT Letters: Romans 5:20 The law came in besides that (Rom. 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