Romans 5:15
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Romans 5:15
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.
Chapter Context
Romans 5 is a theological epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of love, faith, hope. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 57 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Christians in Rome navigated tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers under imperial watch.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-21: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it foreshadows Christ's work through typology and prophetic elements. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Romans and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Romans 5:15
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.
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Word Studies
- Grace: χάρις (Charis) G5485 - Grace, favor
Cross-References
- References Jesus: Romans 6:23
- Grace: Ephesians 2:8
- References God: 2 Corinthians 9:15, 1 John 5:11
- Parallel theme: Romans 5:12, Isaiah 53:11