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.)

ROMANS 5:17KJV
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Romans 5:17 (KJV)

What does Romans 5:17 mean?

Romans 5:17 says that because of one man's wrongdoing, death took control over humanity, but through Jesus Christ, those who receive God's overflowing grace and the gift of being made right will instead rule in life. The verse draws a contrast between the consequences of Adam's sin and the greater impact of Christ's gift.

Paul is writing to believers in Rome, explaining how sin and death entered the world through Adam, but how Jesus brings a much greater gift—grace and righteousness. Romans 5:17 highlights the idea that Christ's work doesn't just cancel out Adam's failure; it brings something far better, offering believers a new kind of life where grace and righteousness are abundant.

The Greek behind Romans 5:17

  • "Offence" (παράπτωμα, paraptōma) means a misstep or wrongdoing. Paul uses this word to describe Adam's act that brought death, emphasizing it as a single, decisive failure.
  • "Reigned" (ἐβασίλευσεν, ebasileusen) is the verb for ruling as a king. Paul says death "reigned" because of Adam, showing death's powerful, dominating effect.
  • "Abundance" (περισσεία, perisseia) refers to something overflowing or more than enough. Paul stresses that God's grace is not just sufficient but overwhelmingly plentiful.
  • "Gift" (δωρεά, dōrea) means a free, unearned gift. The righteousness believers receive is not earned by effort but given freely by God.

Why Romans 5:17 matters

  • Romans 5:17 clarifies that Christ's gift is not just equal to Adam's failure but far surpasses it, highlighting the superabundance of grace.
  • The verse helps correct the idea that humans are simply doomed by Adam's sin; instead, it shows that believers can "reign in life" through Christ.
  • This verse connects to the larger argument in Romans 5, where Paul is explaining how the work of Christ undoes and exceeds the damage caused by Adam, setting up the hope and assurance he develops in the following chapters.

Where else these words appear

“abundance” Greek G4050 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
  • 2 Corinthians 10:15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
  • James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

“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.

“reigned” Greek G936 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
  • Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

“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 5:15 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.
  • 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.