Romans 5:17

KJV

For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} if {G1487} by one man's {G1520} offence {G3900} death {G2288} reigned {G936} by {G1223} one {G1520}; much {G4183} more {G3123} they which receive {G2983} abundance {G4050} of grace {G5485} and {G2532} of the gift {G1431} of righteousness {G1343} shall reign {G936} in {G1722} life {G2222} by {G1223} one {G1520}, Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}.)

Complete Jewish Bible

For if, because of the offence of one man, death ruled through that one man; how much more will those receiving the overflowing grace, that is, the gift of being considered righteous, rule in life through the one man Yeshua the Messiah!

Berean Standard Bible

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

American Standard Version

For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even Jesus Christ.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 5:17 stands as a powerful declaration of the triumph of God's grace and righteousness over the pervasive reign of sin and death introduced by Adam. It succinctly contrasts the devastating consequences of one man's transgression, which brought universal mortality and spiritual alienation, with the superabundant grace and imputed righteousness freely given through the singular redemptive work of Jesus Christ, empowering believers to reign victoriously in life. This verse encapsulates the core of Paul's argument for the superiority of Christ's saving work over Adam's destructive act, highlighting the gratuitous nature of salvation and the believer's elevated status in Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 5:17 is situated within a pivotal section of Paul's letter to the Romans, specifically [Romans 5:12-21](/romans/5-12-21 "Romans 5:12-21 - Adam and Christ Compared"), where he draws a profound theological parallel and contrast between Adam and Christ. Having established the doctrine of justification by faith in earlier chapters, Paul now explains the cosmic scope and efficacy of this salvation. Verse 12 introduces the entry of sin and death into the world through Adam, setting the stage for the comparison. Verses 13-14 elaborate on death's reign even before the Law, identifying Adam as a "type" of Christ. Verses 15-16 then introduce the concept of "much more" (πολὺ μᾶλλον), emphasizing the overwhelming superiority of God's gift in Christ over Adam's offense. Verse 17 serves as a climactic summary statement, reiterating the contrast in terms of "reigning" – death through Adam versus life through Christ – before Paul concludes the comparison in verses 18-21 by highlighting the universal scope of both Adam's condemnation and Christ's justification.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's audience in Rome was a diverse community of Jewish and Gentile believers, grappling with questions of law, sin, righteousness, and the nature of salvation in Christ. The concept of "reigning" (βασιλεύω) would have resonated with both Jewish messianic expectations of a kingly deliverer and Roman imperial notions of dominion and authority. The idea of a single individual's actions having far-reaching consequences was not alien; Adam's role as the progenitor of humanity, and thus the source of inherited sin and death, was a foundational understanding in Jewish thought. Paul leverages this understanding to introduce the even more profound and redemptive impact of Christ, the "second Adam." The emphasis on "grace" (χάρις) and "gift" (δωρεά) would have been particularly revolutionary in a cultural context often driven by merit, honor, and reciprocal obligations, underscoring the radical freeness of God's salvation.
* **Key Themes:** Romans 5:17 powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent in Romans and throughout Paul's theology. Firstly, it highlights the **Universal Reign of Sin and Death** through Adam's transgression, a theme Paul develops from [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned") onwards, establishing humanity's desperate need for salvation. Secondly, it introduces the **Superabundance of God's Grace**, emphasizing that God's provision in Christ is not merely sufficient but overwhelmingly exceeds the destructive power of sin. This concept of "much more" (πολὺ μᾶλλον) is central to Paul's argument in [Romans 5](/romans/5 "Romans 5 - Peace and Hope Through Christ"). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **Imputed Gift of Righteousness**, clarifying that a right standing before God is a gratuitous bestowal, not an earned status, as detailed in [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith"). Finally, and most gloriously, it proclaims the **Believer's Reign in Life Through Christ**, reversing the dominion of death and empowering those justified by faith to live victoriously, a concept that anticipates the believer's future glory and present spiritual vitality, as further explored in [Romans 6](/romans/6 "Romans 6 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **offence (Greek, _paráptōma'_):** G3900. A side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression. This term, used to describe Adam's act, signifies a deviation from a right path or standard. It emphasizes that Adam's sin was not merely a mistake but a profound moral lapse, a willful act of disobedience that resulted in catastrophic, universal consequences.
* **righteousness (Greek, _dikaiosýnē'_):** G1343. Equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification. In the context of Romans, this word refers to a right standing or acquittal before God, which is not achieved by human effort or adherence to the law, but is freely granted by God through faith in Christ. It represents the divine standard of justice and the means by which humans can be reconciled to a holy God.
* **reign (Greek, _basileúō'_):** G936. To rule (literally or figuratively). This verb powerfully conveys the concept of kingly dominion or authoritative control. Paul uses it twice in this verse to highlight the contrasting powers at play: death's oppressive dominion over humanity due to Adam's sin, and the believer's victorious, life-giving dominion achieved through Christ. It signifies a state of active control and authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one;":** This clause establishes the dire consequence of Adam's singular act of disobedience (the "offence" or "trespass"). Paul asserts that through this one man, Adam, death came to exercise a universal, kingly dominion ("reigned") over humanity. This reign of death is not merely physical mortality but encompasses spiritual separation from God, a state of condemnation and powerlessness inherited by all humanity. The repetition of "by one" (Adam) underscores the singular origin of this pervasive problem.
* **"much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness":** In stark contrast to the preceding clause, Paul introduces the overwhelming superiority of God's provision. The phrase "much more" (πολὺ μᾶλλον) highlights the qualitative and quantitative excess of God's grace. Believers are not merely given "enough" grace, but an "abundance" (perisseía), a super-flowing supply that far surpasses the destructive power of sin. This grace is coupled with "the gift of righteousness," emphasizing that a right standing before God is a gratuitous bestowal, freely given and actively "received" (λαμβάνω) by faith, not earned by works.
* **"shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)":** This is the glorious culmination of the verse, articulating the radical reversal of dominion. Instead of death reigning over them, those who have received God's superabundant grace and the gift of righteousness will themselves "reign in life." This reign is not merely a future hope but a present spiritual reality, a participation in Christ's victory and dominion over sin and death. The ultimate source and sole agent of this transformative reign is "one, Jesus Christ," whose singular act of obedience and sacrifice made this new reality possible.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in Romans 5:17 to convey his profound theological message. Central to the verse is **Antithesis**, a stark contrast between two opposing ideas: the reign of death through Adam's offense versus the reign in life through Christ's righteousness and grace. This contrast is amplified by the use of **Hyperbole** or **Augmentation**, particularly in the phrase "much more" (πολὺ μᾶλλον), which emphasizes the overwhelming and superior power of God's grace and Christ's work compared to Adam's sin. The repetition of "by one" (Adam, then Jesus Christ) serves as **Anaphora** or **Parallelism**, drawing a direct comparison between the two pivotal figures and their respective, contrasting impacts on humanity. Finally, the personification of "death" as something that "reigned" (βασιλεύω) gives it an active, kingly agency, making the subsequent declaration that believers "shall reign in life" a more vivid and triumphant reversal of dominion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 5:17 is a cornerstone of Pauline theology, articulating the profound shift from humanity's condemnation in Adam to justification and new life in Christ. It underscores the concept of federal headship, where the actions of one representative (Adam or Christ) have far-reaching consequences for all those identified with them. The verse highlights that God's solution to the problem of sin and death is not merely adequate but superabundant, demonstrating His boundless grace and generosity. It moves beyond simply being saved *from* death to being empowered to *reign in life*, signifying a victorious existence in union with Christ, marked by His authority and power. This reign is a present spiritual reality for the believer, anticipating the full consummation of Christ's kingdom.

* [Romans 6:12-14](/romans/6-12-14 "Romans 6:12-14 - Do Not Let Sin Reign")
* [2 Timothy 2:11-12](/2_timothy/2-11-12 "2 Timothy 2:11-12 - We Shall Reign With Him")
* [Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9-10 "Revelation 5:9-10 - Redeemed to Reign on Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 5:17 offers immense spiritual encouragement and a profound reorientation of our identity. It reminds us that our default state, inherited from Adam, was one of subjugation to sin and death. However, through the incomparable work of Jesus Christ, we are not merely pardoned but elevated to a position of reigning *in life*. This "reign" implies more than just eternal life in the future; it signifies a present spiritual authority over sin, a life empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in victory, freedom, and purpose. It challenges us to live out the reality of our new identity, recognizing that we are no longer enslaved to the old dominion but are participants in Christ's triumphant reign. This calls for a posture of grateful reception of God's abundant grace and a confident embrace of the righteousness freely given, empowering us to live lives that reflect the dominion of Christ within us, impacting our thoughts, words, and actions daily.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the "reign of death" through Adam deepen your appreciation for the "reign in life" through Christ?**
* **In what practical ways can you "receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness" in your daily life?**
* **What does it mean for you, personally, to "reign in life" through Jesus Christ, and how might this impact your perspective on challenges and temptations?**

### FAQ
**What does "death reigned by one" mean in the context of Adam?**

Answer: "Death reigned by one" refers to the universal dominion that physical and spiritual death gained over humanity as a direct consequence of Adam's single act of disobedience, his "offence" (Greek, _paráptōma'_). Because Adam was the federal head of humanity, his sin plunged all his descendants into a state of spiritual alienation from God and subjected them to physical mortality. This means death exercised a kingly authority over all people, a theme Paul elaborates on in [Romans 5:12-14](/romans/5-12-14 "Romans 5:12-14 - Death's Reign Through Adam").

**How is the "abundance of grace" different from just "grace"?**

Answer: The phrase "abundance of grace" (Greek, _perisseía tēs cháritos_) emphasizes the lavish, overflowing, and superabundant nature of God's favor and divine influence. It's not merely sufficient grace to cover sin, but grace that far exceeds the scope and power of sin and death. Paul uses the phrase "much more" (πολὺ μᾶλλον) in [Romans 5:9-10](/romans/5-9-10 "Romans 5:9-10 - Much More Saved Through Christ") and again in this verse to highlight that God's provision in Christ is quantitatively and qualitatively superior to the damage caused by Adam's sin. This abundance ensures complete victory and enables believers to "reign in life."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 5:17 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is presented as the "second Adam" (as seen in [1 Corinthians 15:45-49](/1_corinthians/15-45-49 "1 Corinthians 15:45-49 - The Last Adam")). Where Adam's single act of disobedience brought sin, death, and condemnation to all humanity, Christ's singular act of perfect obedience and sacrificial death on the cross brought righteousness, life, and justification. He is the "one" through whom the "abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness" flows, reversing the curse of Adam and establishing a new reign. Through Christ's resurrection and ascension, He conquered death's dominion, and all who are united with Him by faith are now empowered to "reign in life." This reign is a participation in Christ's own royal authority (as described in [Ephesians 2:6](/ephesians/2-6 "Ephesians 2:6 - Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places")), enabling believers to live victoriously over sin, death, and the powers of darkness, anticipating the full realization of His kingdom when He returns (as promised in [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes Christ's")). Thus, Romans 5:17 is a profound declaration of Christ's unparalleled triumph and the believer's new, glorious identity in Him.

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

1 Corinthians 15:21

For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:22

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15:49

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

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:

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.

2 Timothy 2:12

If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:

Revelation 22:5

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.