King James Version

What Does Romans 5:15 Mean?

Romans 5:15 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Romans chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Romans 5:15 · KJV


Context

13

(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

15

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.

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.

17

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.) by one man's: or, by one offence


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift—Paul begins five verses (15-19) elaborating how Christ's work surpasses Adam's ruin. The sharp οὐχ ὡς... οὕτως καί (ouch hōs... houtōs kai, 'not as... so also...') signals dissimilarity within similarity. Both heads affect their people, but the quality and extent differ enormously.

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—the παράπτωμα (paraptōma, 'trespass/fall') of Adam brought death to πολλοί (polloi, 'the many'), but God's χάρις (charis, 'grace') through Christ superabounded (ἐπερίσσευσεν, eperisseusen). The contrast isn't numerical (many vs. few) but qualitative: death vs. abundant grace. The double emphasis 'grace of God, and the gift by grace' stresses salvation's utterly gratuitous nature—nothing earned, all given.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul's repeated 'much more' (πολλῷ μᾶλλον, pollō mallon) arguments characterize verses 9, 10, 15, 17. This rabbinic-style qal wahomer (light to heavy) reasoning would resonate with Jewish readers: if the lesser is true, how much more the greater. But Paul inverts expectations—the greater reality is grace's triumph over Adam's fall, not Israel's triumph over Gentiles. Christ's achievement infinitely outweighs Adam's failure.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does grace 'abounding much more' than sin challenge the fear that your sin might outweigh God's grace?
  2. What is the difference between the 'free gift' being available to all and being effectually applied to all (universalism)?
  3. In what ways does emphasizing grace's abundance protect against both presumption and despair?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 39 words
Ἀλλ1 of 39

But

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

οὐχ2 of 39

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ὡς3 of 39

as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

τοὺς4 of 39

which is

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παραπτώματι5 of 39

the offence

G3900

a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e., (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression

οὕτως6 of 39

so

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

καὶ7 of 39

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοὺς8 of 39

which is

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χάρισμα·9 of 39

is the free gift

G5486

a (divine) gratuity, i.e., deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e., (subjectively) religious qualification, o

εἰ10 of 39

if

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

γὰρ11 of 39

For

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

τοὺς12 of 39

which is

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τοὺς13 of 39

which is

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἑνὸς14 of 39

by one

G1520

one

παραπτώματι15 of 39

the offence

G3900

a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e., (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression

τοὺς16 of 39

which is

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πολλοὺς17 of 39

many

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

ἀπέθανον18 of 39

be dead

G599

to die off (literally or figuratively)

πολλοὺς19 of 39

many

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

μᾶλλον20 of 39

more

G3123

(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather

τοὺς21 of 39

which is

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χάριτι22 of 39

grace

G5485

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart

τοὺς23 of 39

which is

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ24 of 39

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ25 of 39

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοὺς26 of 39

which is

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δωρεὰ27 of 39

the gift

G1431

a gratuity

ἐν28 of 39

by

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

χάριτι29 of 39

grace

G5485

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart

τοὺς30 of 39

which is

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τοὺς31 of 39

which is

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἑνὸς32 of 39

by one

G1520

one

ἀνθρώπου33 of 39

man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

Ἰησοῦ34 of 39

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Χριστοῦ35 of 39

Christ

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

εἰς36 of 39

unto

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τοὺς37 of 39

which is

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πολλοὺς38 of 39

many

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

ἐπερίσσευσεν39 of 39

hath abounded

G4052

to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 5:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 5:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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