Romans 5:20

KJV1611 – Modern English

Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more:

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Νόμος δὲ παρεισῆλθεν, ἵνα πλεονάσῃ τὸ παράπτωμα. Οὗ δὲ ἐπλεόνασεν ἡ ἁμαρτία, ὑπερεπερίσσευσεν ἡ χάρις:

Transliteration

Nomos de pareisēlthen, in order that might pleonasē the paraptōma. Where de epleonasen the hamartia, hypereperisseusen the charis:

Grammar Details

• *Nomos*: nominative singular masculine - law
• *de*: postpositive conjunction - but/and/now
• *pareisēlthen*: aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular - came in alongside/entered secretly
• *pleonasē*: aorist active subjunctive, 3rd person singular - might abound/increase
• *paraptōma*: nominative singular neuter - trespass/offense
• *epleonasen*: aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular - abounded/increased
• *hamartia*: nominative singular feminine - sin
• *hypereperisseusen*: aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular - superabounded/abounded much more
• *charis*: nominative singular feminine - grace

Word Meanings

• *Nomos*: law/legal system/rule
• *pareisēlthen*: came in alongside/entered secretly/came in besides
• *pleonasē*: might abound/increase/multiply
• *paraptōma*: trespass/offense/transgression/fall
• *epleonasen*: abounded/increased/multiplied
• *hamartia*: sin/wrongdoing/missing the mark
• *hypereperisseusen*: superabounded/abounded much more/overflowed exceedingly
• *charis*: grace/favor/kindness

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  Now the law was brought in so that the trespass might increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And{G1161} the law{G3551} came{G3922} in besides, that{G2443} the trespass{G3900} might abound;{G4121} but{G1161} where{G3757} sin{G266} abounded,{G4121} grace{G5485} did abound{G5248} more exceedingly:

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  Moreover{G1161} the law{G3551} entered{G3922}{(G5627)}, that{G2443} the offence{G3900} might abound{G4121}{(G5661)}. But{G1161} where{G3757} sin{G266} abounded{G4121}{(G5656)}, grace{G5485} did much more abound{G5248}{(G5656)}:

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  But ye lawe in the meane tyme entred in yt synne shuld encreace. Neverthelater where aboundaunce of synne was there was more plenteousnes of grace.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  But the lawe in the meane tyme entred, that synne shulde increace. Neuertheles where abundaunce of synne was, there was yet more plenteousnes of grace:

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Moreouer the Law entred thereupon that the offence shoulde abound: neuerthelesse, where sinne abounded, there grace abounded much more:

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  But the lawe in the meane tyme entred in, that sinne shoulde encrease. But where sinne was plenteous, grace was more plenteous.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly;

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  And law came in, that the offence might abound, and where the sin did abound, the grace did overabound,

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  And the law came in addition, to make wrongdoing worse; but where there was much sin, there was much more grace:

• World English Bible (2000)

  The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly;

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Now the law came in so that the transgression may increase, but where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more,

Referenced Verses

• Ps 25:11 : 11 For Your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
• Rom 6:1 : 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
• Titus 3:3-7 : 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 Whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 That having been justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
• Gal 3:19-25 : 19 Why then serves the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise was made, and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, then truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, confined unto the faith which would afterwards be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
• Rom 6:14 : 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace.
• John 15:22 : 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
• Rom 4:15 : 15 Because the law produces wrath; for where there is no law, there is no transgression.
• 2 Chr 33:9-9 : 9 So Manasseh led Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray, to do worse than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. 10 And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen. 11 Therefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh among the thorns, bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 12 And when he was in distress, he sought the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 And he prayed to him, and he was entreated of him and heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.
• Rom 3:19-20 : 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
• Rom 7:5-9 : 5 For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, which were by the law, worked in our members to bear fruit to death. 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. 7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not. Indeed, I would not have known sin except through the law: for I would not have known lust unless the law had said, 'You shall not covet.' 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, worked in me all kinds of covetousness. For without the law, sin was dead. 9 For I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was intended for life, I found to be leading to death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. 12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? Certainly not. But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good; that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.
• 1 Cor 6:9-9 : 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
• 2 Cor 3:7-9 : 7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadily behold the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministry of the Spirit be rather glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation is glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness exceed in glory.
• Isa 1:18 : 18 Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
• Isa 43:24-25 : 24 You have not bought Me sweet cane with money, nor have you satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices: but you have burdened Me with your sins, you have wearied Me with your iniquities. 25 I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
• Jer 3:8-9 : 8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. 9 And it came to pass through the frivolity of her whoredom, that she polluted the land and committed adultery with stones and with stocks. 10 And yet for all this, her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to me with her whole heart, but in pretension, says the LORD. 11 And the LORD said to me, Backsliding Israel has justified herself more than treacherous Judah. 12 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, backsliding Israel, says the LORD; and I will not cause my anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, says the LORD, and I will not keep anger forever. 13 Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the LORD your God, and have scattered your ways to the strangers under every green tree, and you have not obeyed my voice, says the LORD. 14 Turn, O backsliding children, says the LORD; for I am married to you: and I will take you, one from a city, and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
• Ezek 16:52 : 52 You also, who have judged your sisters, bear your own shame for your sins that you have committed more abominable than they; they are more righteous than you; yes, be also confounded, and bear your shame, in that you have justified your sisters.
• Ezek 16:60-63 : 60 Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish unto you an everlasting covenant. 61 Then you shall remember your ways, and be ashamed, when you shall receive your sisters, your elder and your younger; and I will give them unto you for daughters, but not by your covenant. 62 And I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall know that I am the LORD: 63 That you may remember, and be confounded, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I am pacified toward you for all that you have done, says the Lord GOD.
• Ezek 36:25-32 : 25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them. 28 And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the grain, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. 30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that you shall no longer receive the reproach of famine among the nations. 31 Then you shall remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. 32 Not for your sakes do I this, says the Lord GOD, be it known to you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.
• Mic 7:18-19 : 18 Who is a God like you, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in mercy. 19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
• Matt 9:13 : 13 But go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice: for I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.
• Luke 7:47 : 47 Therefore I say to you, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.
• Luke 23:39-43 : 39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, If You are Christ, save Yourself and us. 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong. 42 Then he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom. 43 And Jesus said to him, Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.
• John 10:10 : 10 The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.
• Eph 1:6-8 : 6 To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; 8 Which He has lavished on us in all wisdom and understanding;
• Eph 2:1-5 : 1 And you He has made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 In which in times past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conduct in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, made us alive together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)
• 1 Tim 1:13-16 : 13 Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all patience as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.