Romans 5:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The law came in so that the trespass would increase, but where sin increased, grace increased all the more.
What Does Romans 5:20 Mean?
Paul anticipates a question: where does the law of Moses fit in this story of Adam and Christ? He answers that the law 'entered' alongside, and one of its effects was that 'the offence might abound' -- sin was exposed and multiplied as transgression once a clear command was given.
But the law's arrival does not have the last word. 'Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.' However high the floodwaters of sin rise, grace rises higher still. Paul is not minimizing sin; he is magnifying grace, showing that no depth of human failure can outrun the overflowing mercy of God in Christ.
Romans 5:20 in the Original Language
pleonazo (πλεονάζω), 'abound' -- to increase, multiply, become more than enough.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 5:20
What does Romans 5:20 mean?
The law came in so that the trespass would increase, but where sin increased, grace increased all the more.