Romans 5:15

KJV

But not as the offence, so also [is] the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} not {G3756} as {G5613} the offence {G3900}, so {G3779} also {G2532} is the free gift {G5486}. For {G1063} if {G1487} through the offence {G3900} of one {G1520} many {G4183} be dead {G599}, much {G4183} more {G3123} the grace {G5485} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} the gift {G1431} by {G1722} grace {G5485}, which is {G3588} by one {G1520} man {G444}, Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}, hath abounded {G4052} unto {G1519} many {G4183}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the free gift is not like the offence. For if, because of one man’s offence, many died, then how much more has God’s grace, that is, the gracious gift of one man, Yeshua the Messiah, overflowed to many!

Berean Standard Bible

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many!

American Standard Version

But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 5:15 profoundly contrasts the universal devastation wrought by Adam's singular act of disobedience with the infinitely greater, superabundant grace and free gift of God brought through the singular obedience of Jesus Christ. It underscores that while sin led to death for many, God's grace, manifested in Christ, has overflowed to bring life and righteousness to an even greater degree for those who receive it, demonstrating the surpassing power and generosity of divine favor over human transgression.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans chapter 5 marks a significant transition in Paul's epistle, moving from the doctrine of justification by faith (Romans 3-4) to the glorious benefits and implications of that justification. Having established peace with God and access to grace in [Romans 5:1-2](/romans/5-1-2 "Romans 5:1-2 - Peace and Access to Grace"), Paul introduces a pivotal theological comparison between Adam and Christ, beginning in [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Adam's Sin and Its Consequences"). This comparison aims to illustrate the universal scope of both sin's impact and grace's triumph. Verse 15 specifically elaborates on the qualitative difference between Adam's "offence" and Christ's "free gift," emphasizing that God's grace is not merely a counter-balance but a super-abundant overflow that far exceeds the destructive power of sin. It sets the stage for the more detailed exposition of this contrast in the subsequent verses of [Romans 5](/romans/5 "Romans 5 - Peace, Joy, and the Adam-Christ Contrast"), culminating in the declaration of grace reigning through righteousness in [Romans 5:21](/romans/5-21 "Romans 5:21 - Grace Reigns Through Righteousness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's audience in Rome comprised both Jewish and Gentile believers, grappling with the implications of the Gospel for their respective heritages. The concept of "federal headship," where the actions of one representative affect many, was not alien to Jewish thought, as seen in the consequences of Adam's sin for all humanity or the blessings derived from Abraham's faith. However, Paul recontextualizes this idea, presenting Jesus Christ as the new "federal head" whose righteous act brings life and justification, profoundly contrasting with Adam's legacy. This understanding would have helped both groups grasp how the actions of one man (Adam) could universally condemn and how the actions of another (Christ) could universally save, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries. The Roman legal system, with its emphasis on imputation and the consequences of a single act, might also have provided a conceptual framework for understanding how Adam's sin could be "imputed" to all, and Christ's righteousness could be "imputed" to believers.
* **Key Themes:** Romans 5:15 is rich with several foundational theological themes. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the **Contrast between Adam and Christ**, presenting them as two pivotal figures whose actions had universal, yet opposing, consequences. Adam's disobedience introduced sin and death, while Christ's obedience brought grace and life. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Universality of Sin and Grace**, demonstrating that just as "many" were affected by Adam's sin, "many" are also recipients of God's grace through Christ. This underscores the comprehensive scope of both human fallenness and divine redemption. Thirdly, it emphasizes the **Abundance and Superiority of God's Grace**, using phrases like "much more" and "hath abounded." This theme is central to Paul's argument throughout [Romans](/romans/1 "The Book of Romans"), asserting that God's solution to sin is not merely sufficient but overwhelmingly generous, surpassing the damage caused by sin. Finally, the verse reinforces the concept of **Salvation as a Free Gift**, stressing that God's grace and the resulting life are unearned and freely bestowed, not merited by human effort, a truth echoed in passages like [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Offence (Greek, _paráptōma'_):** From G3900, meaning a side-slip, lapse, or deviation; an unintentional error or willful transgression. In Romans 5:15, it refers specifically to Adam's act of disobedience in the Garden of Eden, which constituted a "fall" or "trespass" from God's command. This single act had catastrophic, universal consequences, introducing sin and death into the human experience.
* **Free gift (Greek, _chárisma'_):** From G5486, derived from _charis_ (grace), meaning a divine gratuity or a gift of grace. This term underscores the unmerited and benevolent nature of what God provides through Christ. It is a gift that is not earned or deserved by human effort but is freely given out of God's unmerited favor, directly contrasting with the consequence of Adam's "offence."
* **Hath abounded (Greek, _perisseúō'_):** From G4052, meaning to superabound in quantity or quality, to be in excess, or to overflow. This word, coupled with "much more," vividly portrays the overwhelming and surpassing nature of God's grace through Jesus Christ. It signifies that the divine provision is not merely equal to or sufficient for the problem of sin, but it is lavish, overflowing, and far exceeds the destructive power of Adam's transgression.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But not as the offence, so also [is] the free gift."**: This opening clause immediately establishes a profound contrast. Paul is asserting that while there is a parallel between Adam and Christ in terms of their singular actions having widespread effects, the nature and outcome of these effects are fundamentally different. The "offence" (Adam's sin) led to death, but the "free gift" (God's grace through Christ) leads to life, and its abundance is qualitatively superior.
* **"For if through the offence of one many be dead,"**: This clause explains the first part of the contrast, detailing the devastating consequence of Adam's sin. The "one" refers to Adam, and his "offence" (disobedience) resulted in spiritual and physical death for "many" (all humanity). This highlights the universal reach of Adam's transgression and its imputed guilt and corruption.
* **"much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many."**: This is the crux of the verse, emphasizing the glorious superiority of Christ's work. The phrase "much more" (πολλῷ μᾶλλον) signifies a greater degree and intensity. It asserts that God's "grace" (unmerited favor) and the "gift by grace" (salvation, righteousness, life) brought by the "one man, Jesus Christ," have "abounded" (overflowed and surpassed) unto "many" (all who believe). This demonstrates that God's redemptive power and generosity far outweigh the destructive power of sin.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful **Literary Devices** in Romans 5:15 to convey his profound theological truth. The most prominent is **Antithetical Parallelism**, where he sets up a direct contrast between the consequences of Adam's action and Christ's action. The structure "not as X, so also Y" immediately signals this opposition. This is further amplified by the use of **Hyperbole** and **Emphasis** through the phrase "much more" (πολλῷ μᾶλλον) and the verb "hath abounded" (ἐπερίσσευσεν). These terms are not merely comparative; they signify an overwhelming surplus, an overflowing abundance that far surpasses the negative impact of sin. This rhetorical emphasis serves to magnify the magnitude of God's grace and the efficacy of Christ's redemptive work, ensuring the reader understands that grace is not just sufficient but supremely triumphant over sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 5:15 encapsulates the core of the Gospel message: the radical difference between humanity's fallen state through Adam and its redemption through Christ. It underscores the theological concept of federal headship, where Adam's sin is imputed to all humanity, leading to universal condemnation and death. However, it simultaneously introduces the glorious truth that Christ, as the new federal head, offers a "free gift" of grace that leads to justification and life, which is not merely a reversal of Adam's curse but an overwhelming abundance that surpasses it. This highlights God's sovereign initiative in salvation, demonstrating that His grace is not a response to human merit but a lavish outpouring of His divine nature, freely given through His Son.
* [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin and Death Through Adam")
* [1 Corinthians 15:21-22](/1_corinthians/15-21-22 "1 Corinthians 15:21-22 - Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ")
* [Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4-5 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - God's Rich Mercy and Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 5:15 offers profound comfort and a robust foundation for Christian hope. It reminds us that while the reality of sin and its pervasive effects are undeniable, God's answer to humanity's predicament is not merely adequate, but overwhelmingly abundant. We are not left to grapple with the legacy of Adam's sin through our own insufficient efforts. Instead, the "free gift" of God's grace, delivered through Jesus Christ, stands as a testament to divine generosity that far outstrips the destructive power of sin. This truth should lead us to profound humility and gratitude, recognizing that our salvation is entirely a work of God's unmerited favor. It calls us to rest not in our own performance or lineage, but in the finished work of Christ, whose one act of righteousness has brought an overflow of grace and life to all who believe. This understanding liberates us from the burden of earning God's favor and empowers us to live in the freedom and abundance of His grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the "much more" of God's grace in Christ change your perspective on the power of sin in your life?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to rely on your own efforts rather than fully embracing the "free gift" of grace offered through Jesus Christ?**
* **How can the super-abundant nature of God's grace encourage you to extend grace to others, even those who have "offended" you?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live more fully in the reality of God's overflowing grace each day?**

### FAQ
**What is the "offence" mentioned in Romans 5:15?**

Answer: The "offence" (Greek: _paráptōma_) refers specifically to Adam's act of disobedience in the Garden of Eden, as described in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Man"). This was his transgression against God's direct command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Paul uses this singular act as the pivotal point through which sin and death entered the world, affecting all humanity.

**What does "much more" signify regarding God's grace?**

Answer: The phrase "much more" (Greek: _pollō mâllon_) is a crucial emphasis in Romans 5:15. It signifies that God's grace, as manifested through Jesus Christ, is not merely a sufficient antidote to Adam's sin, but it is overwhelmingly abundant and superior in its power and effect. It means that the positive impact of Christ's righteous act far surpasses the negative impact of Adam's sin, demonstrating God's lavish generosity and the super-abounding nature of His redemptive work. It's not just a counter-balance; it's an overflow.

**How is the "free gift" different from the "offence"?**

Answer: The "free gift" (Greek: _chárisma_) is fundamentally different from the "offence" in both its source and its outcome. The "offence" originated from human disobedience (Adam) and resulted in death and condemnation for many. In contrast, the "free gift" originates from God's unmerited favor (grace) through the obedience of Jesus Christ, and it results in justification, righteousness, and eternal life for many. While the offence brought universal condemnation, the free gift brings universal salvation to those who receive it by faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 5:15 stands as a profound declaration of Christ's unique and indispensable role in God's redemptive plan. Jesus Christ is presented as the ultimate fulfillment of humanity's need, serving as the "one man" through whom the "grace of God" and "the gift by grace" have "abounded unto many." He is the **Last Adam**, as described in [1 Corinthians 15:45](/1_corinthians/15-45 "1 Corinthians 15:45 - The Last Adam"), whose perfect obedience and sacrificial death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")) decisively reversed the curse of the first Adam's disobedience. Where Adam's sin brought death and condemnation to all humanity, Christ's righteousness brings life and justification to all who believe. This verse beautifully foreshadows the New Covenant, established through Christ's blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in Christ's Blood")), where God's grace is poured out in an unprecedented measure, not merely covering sin but triumphing over it with an overflowing abundance that secures eternal life and righteousness for His people. Thus, Jesus is not just a solution, but the super-abundant, all-sufficient means by which God's glorious grace reigns.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

Romans 5:12

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

1 John 5:11

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Romans 5:16

And not as [it was] by one that sinned, [so is] the gift: for the judgment [was] by one to condemnation, but the free gift [is] of many offences unto justification.

Romans 5:20

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