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

ROMANS 5:20KJV
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Romans 5:20 (KJV)

What does Romans 5:20 mean?

Romans 5:20 says that the law was introduced so that wrongdoing would be seen more clearly and increase, but wherever sin increased, God’s grace was even greater. The verse highlights that no matter how much sin grew, God’s kindness and forgiveness grew even more.

Paul is writing to believers in Rome, explaining how God’s law (the commandments given to Moses) made people more aware of their sins. By showing what was right and wrong, the law made people realize just how much they fell short. Paul’s main point here is that, even as sin became more obvious and widespread, God’s grace—His undeserved favor—was always more than enough to cover it.

The Greek behind Romans 5:20

  • νόμος (nomos, “law”): This word refers to the set of commandments and instructions given by God, especially through Moses. Paul uses it to show that the law’s arrival had a purpose: to make people aware of their offenses.
  • παρεισῆλθεν (pareisēlthen, “entered”): This word means “came in alongside” or “entered in addition.” It suggests that the law was added into the story, not as the main character, but to highlight something already happening—namely, human sin.
  • παράπτωμα (paraptōma, “offence”): This word means a misstep or falling away from what is right. Paul uses it to show that the law made these missteps stand out more.
  • ἐπλεόνασεν (epleonasen, “abounded”) and ὑπερεπερίσσευσεν (hyperperisseusen, “did much more abound”): The first word means “increased” or “multiplied,” while the second means “overflowed far more.” Paul is deliberately contrasting the growth of sin with the overwhelming abundance of grace.

Why Romans 5:20 matters

  • Romans 5:20 clears up the idea that the law was meant to fix sin; instead, Paul says the law made people more aware of just how much they sinned.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s grace is always greater than any amount of sin, offering hope that no one is beyond forgiveness.
  • This verse connects to Paul’s larger message in Romans 5 about the power of grace through Jesus, showing that God’s response to human failure is not punishment, but overwhelming kindness.

Where else these words appear

“entered” Greek G3922 · used in 2 verses

  • Galatians 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

“abound” Greek G5248 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

“abound” Greek G4121 · used in 8 verses

  • Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
  • 2 Corinthians 8:15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
  • 1 Thessalonians 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

“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.