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.
Original Language Analysis
Ἀλλ
But
G235
Ἀλλ
But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 39
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
3 of 39
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
τοὺς
which is
G3588
τοὺς
which is
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραπτώματι
the offence
G3900
παραπτώματι
the offence
Strong's:
G3900
Word #:
5 of 39
a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e., (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 39
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
which is
G3588
τοὺς
which is
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χάρισμα·
is the free gift
G5486
χάρισμα·
is the free gift
Strong's:
G5486
Word #:
9 of 39
a (divine) gratuity, i.e., deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e., (subjectively) religious qualification, o
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
11 of 39
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τοὺς
which is
G3588
τοὺς
which is
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοὺς
which is
G3588
τοὺς
which is
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραπτώματι
the offence
G3900
παραπτώματι
the offence
Strong's:
G3900
Word #:
15 of 39
a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e., (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression
τοὺς
which is
G3588
τοὺς
which is
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πολλοὺς
many
G4183
πολλοὺς
many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
17 of 39
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
πολλοὺς
many
G4183
πολλοὺς
many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
19 of 39
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
τοὺς
which is
G3588
τοὺς
which is
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χάριτι
grace
G5485
χάριτι
grace
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
22 of 39
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
τοὺς
which is
G3588
τοὺς
which is
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
24 of 39
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 39
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
which is
G3588
τοὺς
which is
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χάριτι
grace
G5485
χάριτι
grace
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
29 of 39
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
τοὺς
which is
G3588
τοὺς
which is
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
30 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοὺς
which is
G3588
τοὺς
which is
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
31 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
34 of 39
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
36 of 39
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τοὺς
which is
G3588
τοὺς
which is
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
37 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.Ephesians 2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Romans 5:12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:1 John 5:11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.Isaiah 53:11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.2 Corinthians 9:15Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Historical Context
Paul's repeated 'much more' (πολλῷ μᾶλλον, pollō mallon) arguments characterize verses 9, 10, 15, 17. This rabbinic-style qal wahomer (light to heavy) reasoning would resonate with Jewish readers: if the lesser is true, how much more the greater. But Paul inverts expectations—the greater reality is grace's triumph over Adam's fall, not Israel's triumph over Gentiles. Christ's achievement infinitely outweighs Adam's failure.
Questions for Reflection
- How does grace 'abounding much more' than sin challenge the fear that your sin might outweigh God's grace?
- What is the difference between the 'free gift' being available to all and being effectually applied to all (universalism)?
- In what ways does emphasizing grace's abundance protect against both presumption and despair?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift—Paul begins five verses (15-19) elaborating how Christ's work surpasses Adam's ruin. The sharp οὐχ ὡς... οὕτως καί (ouch hōs... houtōs kai, 'not as... so also...') signals dissimilarity within similarity. Both heads affect their people, but the quality and extent differ enormously.
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—the παράπτωμα (paraptōma, 'trespass/fall') of Adam brought death to πολλοί (polloi, 'the many'), but God's χάρις (charis, 'grace') through Christ superabounded (ἐπερίσσευσεν, eperisseusen). The contrast isn't numerical (many vs. few) but qualitative: death vs. abundant grace. The double emphasis 'grace of God, and the gift by grace' stresses salvation's utterly gratuitous nature—nothing earned, all given.