Bible Strands
Romans 5:17
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul to the Roman church, mid-argument in chapter 5, having just contrasted the judgment on one sin with the gift following many trespasses (v. 16). He now escalates from justification to active reign.
The words — paraptōmati (παράπτωμα) is the specific word for a single misstep or trespass, not the general "sin" (ἁμαρτία); Paul reserves it for Adam's one act. henos (ἕνος, "one") appears twice, anchoring the parallel: one man brought death's reign, one man brings life's reign.
The thread — The same federal-head logic appears in 1 Corinthians 15:21 (death through a man, resurrection through a man) and 15:49 (bearing the likeness of the earthly vs. the heavenly man). Romans 5:12 supplies the premise: death passed to all through one.
Why it lands — The argument is a fortiori ("how much more"): if the lesser case (one trespass producing death's reign) is granted, the greater case (abundant grace producing life's reign) cannot be denied. It asks the reader to stop treating grace as a lesser force than sin's consequence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.)
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 15:21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.
- 1 Corinthians 15:49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man.
- Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.
- John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.
- 2 Timothy 2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
- Revelation 22:5 There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.
- Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.
- Revelation 20:4 Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
- Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
- Philippians 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.