Romans 5:20 “The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin inc…”

Romans 5:20

The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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

World English Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

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

Darby Translation

But law came in, in order that the offence might abound; but where sin abounded grace has overabounded,

Young's Literal Translation

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

Bible in Basic English

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

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Cross references

“the law”

Romans 6:14 Galatians 3:19–25 Romans 4:15 John 15:22 2 Corinthians 3:7–9 Romans 7:5–13

Romans 6:14 · BSB

For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Galatians 3:19–25 · BSB

Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.

Romans 4:15 · BSB

because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.

John 15:22 · BSB

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.

2 Corinthians 3:7–9 · BSB

Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory,

Romans 7:5–13 · BSB

For when we lived according to the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, bearing fruit for death.

“But”

Romans 6:1 Psalm 25:11 Titus 3:3–7 Isaiah 1:18 Luke 7:47 Ephesians 2:1–5

Romans 6:1 · BSB

What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase?

Psalm 25:11 · BSB

For the sake of Your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, for it is great.

Titus 3:3–7 · BSB

For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

Isaiah 1:18 · BSB

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Luke 7:47 · BSB

Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, for she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”

Ephesians 2:1–5 · BSB

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

19For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

21so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Read Romans 5