Romans 5:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 5:6-21

The apostle here describes the fountain and foundation of justification, laid in the death of the Lord Jesus. The streams are very sweet, but, if you run them up to the spring-head, you will find it to be Christ's dying for us; it is in the precious stream of Christ's blood that all these privileges come flowing to us: and therefore he enlarges upon this instance of the love of God which is shed abroad. Three things he takes notice of for the explication and illustration of this doctrine:?1.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 5:12-21

5:12-21 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and, through sin, death entered into the world, and so death spread to all men, in that they had sinned; for up to the coming of the law sin was in the world, but sin was not debited against men because the law did not yet exist; but death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses even over those who had not sinned in the way that Adam had, Adam, who was the symbol of the one who was to come. But the gift of free... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 5:20

Moreover, the law entered ,.... By "the law" is meant, not the law of nature, much less the law of sin; rather the ceremonial law, which came in over and above the moral law; it entered but for a time; by which sin abounded, and appeared very sinful; and through it the grace of God much more abounded, in the sacrifice of Christ prefigured by it: but the moral law, as it came by Moses, is here intended; which entered with great pomp and solemnity on Mount Sinai; and intervened, or came... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 5:20

The law entered that ( ἱνα ) 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, παρεισηλθεν , 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 ceremonies... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 5:20

Verse 20 20.But the law intervened, etc. This subject depends on what he had said before — that there was sin before the law was published. This being the case, then follows immediately this question — For what purpose was the law given? It was therefore necessary to solve this difficulty; but as a longer digression was not suitable, he deferred the subject and handled it in another place: and now by the way he only says, that the law entered, (178) that sin might abound; for he describes not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 5:1-21

(6) The results of the revelation of the righteousness of God, as affecting (a) the consciousness and hopes of believers; (b) the position of mankind before God. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 5:12-21

(b) From consideration of the blessed effects on believers of faith in the reconciliation through Christ, the apostle now passes to the effects of that reconciliation as the position of the whole human race before God. His drift is that the reconciliation corresponds to the original transgression; both proceeded from one , and both include all mankind in their results; as the one introduced sin into the world, and, as its consequence, death, so the other introduced righteousness, ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 5:12-21

Grace abounding. Here the apostle contrasts the reign of sin with the reign of grace, and shows that, while there is a point of similarity between them, there are many points in which they differ, and in which grace is triumphant over sin. All this is for the encouragement of the sinner, that he may be led from the captivity of sin to hope and live under the influence of God's mercy. I. GRACE AND SIN BOTH CAME BY ONE PERSON . "By one man sin entered into the world, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 5:12-21

Representative responsibility. In last section we saw the blessed state into which the justified believer comes—a state of peace, of gracious acceptance, of glorious hope, of joy in God. The apostle in the present section expounds the relation in which mankind stands to the two great representatives, Adam and Christ. We cannot do better than consider these two representatives in the order named, and how they are related to the race. I. THE FIRST ADAM AS REPRESENTATIVE OF ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 5:20-21

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 Romans 5:13 ) refers to the Mosaic Law, the purpose of which in the economy of redemption is thus intimated, so as to complete the view.... read more

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