Romans 5:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 5:20-21

Grace abounding. This passage seems to trace the course of two mighty rivers. The one has its source in the Law; the stream is sin and trespass. As it proceeds it is distinguished by abundance (and is said to reign, to dominate the landscape), and it flows at last into the black ocean of death. The other has its source in Divine grace; the stream is righteousness. And it becomes even more abundant than the other; it flows irresistibly, victoriously, until it is lost in the sea of life... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 5:20-21

The economy of law. A return to the mention of the Mosaic Law, and its part in the great economy of the world's history. Its immediate, remoter, and ultimate effects. I. IMMEDIATE EFFECT . 1. A side-economy: among one people, for disciplinary purposes. 2. "That the trespass might abound," i.e. that men might be compelled to the consciousness of that which wrought in them unconsciously. Working thus two-foldly—as revelation, and as repression. In the latter way, obviously... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 5:12-21

Romans 5:12-21 has been usually regarded as the most difficult part of the New Testament. It is not the design of these notes to enter into a minute criticism of contested points like this. They who wish to see a full discussion of the passage, may find it in the professedly critical commentaries; and especially in the commentaries of Tholuck and of Professor Stuart on the Romans. The meaning of the passage in its general bearing is not difficult; and probably the whole passage would have been... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 5:20

Moreover - 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 pled that it was adapted to overcome the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Romans 5:12-21

Adam and Christ (5:12-21)The Bible views the human race as existing originally in Adam. Therefore, when Adam sinned, humankind in general was involved in his sin. This doctrine is known as original sin; that is, humankind sinned originally in Adam (12).It is true that sin is disobedience to a law, whether that law is in the form of the commandment God gave to Adam or in the form of the law-code he gave to Moses. Yet sin is present even where there is no law. This is clearly seen in the biblical... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 5:20

entered . Literally came in beside. Greek. pareiserchomai, Only here and Galatians 1:2 , Galatians 1:4 . that = in order that. Greek. hina . abound = multiply. Greek. pleonazo. Here, Romans 6:1 . 2 Corinthians 4:15 ; 2 Corinthians 8:15 .Philippians 1:4 , Philippians 1:17 . 1Th 3:12 . 2 Thessalonians 1:3 . 2 Peter 1:8 . did much more abound = superabounded. Greek. huperperisseuo. Only here and 2 Corinthians 7:4 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 5:20

And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly.Here is the fifth of the great series of "much more's" which mark this portion of Paul's letter. See under Romans 5:17. Paul used "law" here without the article; but the translators are correct in supplying the article, for it cannot be doubted that the law of Moses was Paul's subject, not merely here, but everywhere this term is mentioned in Romans. The abounding of sin which... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 5:20

Romans 5:20. Moreover, the law, &c.— But the law, &c. There can be nothing plainer than that St. Paul, in this and the next verse, makes a comparison between the state of the Jews, and that of the Gentiles, as it stands described in the eight preceding verses; to shew wherein they differed or agreed, so far as was necessary to his present purpose, of satisfying the convert Romans, that in reference to their interest in the Gospel, the Jews had no advantage over them by the law. With... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 5:20

20, 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 Galatians 2:4 the same word is rendered, "came in privily.") The meaning is, that the promulgation of the law at Sinai was no primary or essential feature of the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 5:12-21

E. The restorative effects of justification 5:12-21Justification by faith not only carries with it many benefits (Romans 5:1-11), but it also overcomes the effects of the Fall. Paul’s final argument in support of justification by faith involves a development of his previous emphasis on the solidarity that the saved experience with their Savior (Romans 5:1-2; Romans 5:9-10). In this section (Romans 5:12-21) he expanded that idea by showing that just as Adam’s sin has affected all people, so... read more

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