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 5:15KJV
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Romans 5:15 (KJV)

What does Romans 5:15 mean?

Romans 5:15 explains that the consequences of Adam’s wrongdoing (“the offence”) and the gift that comes through Jesus Christ are not the same; while Adam’s act brought death to many, the gracious gift from God through Jesus brings something far greater—overflowing grace to many people. The verse highlights the contrast between the damage caused by one person’s sin and the much greater impact of God’s generous gift.

Paul is writing to believers in Rome, explaining how the effects of Adam’s sin are completely surpassed by the grace God gives through Jesus. The situation is about understanding the difference between what humanity lost through Adam and what is now offered through Christ. Paul’s point is that God’s grace is not just a remedy but is overwhelmingly abundant compared to the harm caused by sin.

The Greek behind Romans 5:15

  • “offence” (παράπτωμα, paraptōma): This word means a misstep or transgression, emphasizing Adam’s act as a serious wrongdoing that led to consequences for many.
  • “gift” (χάρισμα, charisma): This refers to a free, gracious gift, highlighting that what comes through Jesus is not earned but given generously.
  • “grace” (χάρις, charis): This word means favor or kindness, especially undeserved kindness from God. Paul uses it to stress that God’s response to sin is not just to cancel it out, but to give far more than was lost.
  • “abounded” (περισσεύω, perisseuō): This verb means to overflow or be in abundance, showing that God’s gift through Jesus doesn’t just match the effects of Adam’s sin, but far exceeds them.

Why Romans 5:15 matters

  • Romans 5:15 clears up the idea that God’s gift through Jesus is simply a reversal of Adam’s mistake; instead, it is much greater in both scope and effect.
  • This verse emphasizes that God’s grace is not limited or equal to the damage caused by sin, but is overwhelmingly abundant.
  • Romans 5:15 sets up the larger argument in this chapter, showing how the work of Jesus is not just about fixing what was broken, but about bringing something even better than what was lost.

Where else these words appear

“gift” Greek G1431 · used in 11 verses

  • John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
  • Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

“gift” Greek G5486 · used in 17 verses

  • Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
  • 1 Corinthians 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
  • 1 Corinthians 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

“offence” Greek G3900 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
  • 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.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

“abounded” Greek G4052 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.