Romans 5:20

Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: MOREOVER THE LAW ENTERED, [ pareiseelthen (G3922)] - 'entered incidentally' or 'parenthetically.' It is important 'to preserve this shade of meaning, which the compound word certainly conveys, and which-though not always intended to be pressed-was here, we think, plainly designed to be conveyed. Several of the Greek fathers advert to it; the Vulgate expresses it [subintravit]; and Calvin [intervenit]. Beza, whom our version has done ill here in following, sinks it [introiit]; but it is recognized by nearly every modern critic, from Erasmus downward. Bengel, with his usual acuteness, notices that this compound verb-`the law entered subordinately'-is designed as the antithesis to the simple one, "sin entered," in...

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 here the whole office and use of the law, but only touches on one part, which served his present purpose. He indeed teaches us, that it was needful that men’s ruin should be more fully discovered to them, in order that a passage might be opened for the favor of God. They were indeed shipwrecked before the law was given; as however they seemed to themselves to swim, while in their destruction, they were t...

20,21 By Christ and his righteousness, we have more and greater privileges than we lost by the offence of Adam. The moral law showed that many thoughts, tempers, words, and actions, were sinful, thus transgressions were multiplied. Not making sin to abound the more, but discovering the sinfulness of it, even as the letting in a clearer light into a room, discovers the dust and filth which were there before, but were not seen. The sin of Adam, and the effect of corruption in us, are the abounding of that offence which appeared on the entrance of the law. And the terrors of the law make gospel comforts the more sweet. Thus God the Holy Spirit has, by the blessed apostle, delivered to us a most important truth, full of consolation, suited to our need as sinners. Whatever one may have above another, every man is a sinner against God, stands condemned by the law, and needs pardon. A righteou...

Verse 20. _THE LAW ENTERED THAT_ (ΙΝΑ) _THE OFFENCE MIGHT_ _ABOUND._] After considering various opinions concerning the true meaning of this verse, (see under Romans 5:12,) 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_ are considered, confined to the Jewish people, and to them only till the Messiah should come; but considered as the _moral law_, or _rule of conscience_ and _life_, it has in its _spirit_ and _power_ been slipped in...

Romans 5:12 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 found far less difficult if it had not been attached to a philosophical theory on the subject of man’s sin, and if a strenuous and indefatigable effort had not been made to prove that it teaches what it was never designed to teach. The plain and obvious design of the passage is this, to show one of the benefits of the doctrine of justification by faith. The apostle had shown,...

EXPOSITION ROMANS 5:1 (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. ROMANS 5:1 (_a_) _As to the consciousness of individual believers._ ROMANS 5:1 THEREFORE, BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. Instead of the ἔχομεν of the Textus Receptus, an overwhelming preponderance of authority, including uncials, versions, and Fathers, supports ἔχωμεν ("let us have"). If this be the true reading, the exp

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 between Adam's sin and Christ's sacrifice; and also came in besides, or over and above the promise of life by Christ; and may moreover be said to enter into the conscience of a sinner, with the power and energy of the Spirit of God: and the end of its entrance is, THAT THE OFFENCE MIGHT ABOUND; meaning either the sin of Adam, he had been speaking of under that name, that that itself, and the imputation of i...

Romans 5:1. _Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:_ This verse deserves to be printed in letters of gold. If you can truthfully say this, if it is indeed true of you, you are the happiest people under heaven. Let us read the verse again: «Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:» Romans 5:2. _By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God._ We are not only at peace with God, but we are permitted to draw near to him, we have access to him, we have access to his favor, to his grace. We may come to God when we will; for he is reconciled to us, and we are reconciled to him, so we may now think of him with joy and gladnes

4. IN CHRIST. The Sanctification of the Believer; his Deliverance from Sin and the Law; Children and Heirs. Chapter 5:12-8. CHAPTER 5:12-21 _ 1. Sin and Death Through the First Adam. (Romans 5:12 .)_ 2. In Adam by Nature; in Christ Through Grace(Romans 5:15 .) So far the subject of this Epistle has been our sins and how God has dealt with them in the Cross of Christ. The guilt and penalty of the sins of the believer are forever gone. With this section the question of sin itself is taken up and we learn how the justified believer is also sanctified in Christ and as such delivered from the dominion of sin and from the law. Furthermore we learn it also includes that believers are children and heirs of God. To distinguish between sins and sin is important. Sin is that ev

The therefore of Romans 5:12 covers Romans 1:16 to Romans 5:11: the working of sin and grace are traced up to their fountain-heads in ADAM AND CHRIST (_cf._ 1 Corinthians 15:45). Adam (Heb. _man)_ stands for humanity racially. Two opposing currents run through man's life, each with its personal source (Romans 5:12; Romans 5:18 f.); but with this broad correspondence, there are signal contrasts ...