Parallel Verses

Amplified

But the Law came to increase and expand [the awareness of] the trespass [by defining and unmasking sin]. But where sin increased, [God’s remarkable, gracious gift of] grace [His unmerited favor] has surpassed it and increased all the more,

New American Standard Bible

The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

King James Version

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

Holman Bible

The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more

International Standard Version

Now the Law crept in so that the offense would increase. But where sin increased, grace increased even more,

A Conservative Version

And the law entered so that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace was more abundant,

American Standard Version

And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:

An Understandable Version

Now the law of Moses was introduced [into the world] in order to cause sin to increase [i.e., it defined many things to be wrong that were previously not regarded as sin]. But with the increase of sin, God's unearned favor increased all the more.

Anderson New Testament

But, besides the first offense, law was introduced, in order that offenses might abound: but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Bible in Basic English

And the law came in addition, to make wrongdoing worse; but where there was much sin, there was much more grace:

Common New Testament

Law came in, that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

Daniel Mace New Testament

the law was introduc'd, that the greatness of the fall might fully appear; but the more sin display'd its enormity, the divine favour was so much the more transcendent.

Darby Translation

But law came in, in order that the offence might abound; but where sin abounded grace has overabounded,

Godbey New Testament

But the law came, that the transgression might abound; but where sin did abound, there did grace superabound:

Goodspeed New Testament

Then law slipped in, and multiplied the offense. But greatly as sin multiplied, God's mercy has far surpassed it,

John Wesley New Testament

But the law came in between, that the offence might abound: yet where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Julia Smith Translation

And the law entered, that the fall might abound. And where sin abounded, grace superabounded:

King James 2000

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

Lexham Expanded Bible

Now the law came in as a side issue, in order that the trespass could increase, but where sin increased, grace was present in greater abundance,

Modern King James verseion

But the Law entered so that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound,

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

But the law, in the meantime, entered in that sin should increase. Neverthelater, where abundance of sin was, there was more plenteousness of grace.

Moffatt New Testament

Law slipped in to aggravate the trespass; sin increased, but grace surpassed it far,

Montgomery New Testament

Now law was brought in so that transgression might abound; but where sin abounded, grace super-abounded;

NET Bible

Now the law came in so that the transgression may increase, but where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more,

New Heart English Bible

The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly;

Noyes New Testament

Moreover the law came in in addition, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded much more;

Sawyer New Testament

For the law supervened that the fall might abound; but where the sin abounded the grace was superabundant,

The Emphasized Bible

Law, however, gained admission, in order that the fault might abound, but, where the sin abounded, the favour greatly superabounded:

Thomas Haweis New Testament

But the law was introduced, that the offence might be more abundant. But where sin had abounded, there hath grace abounded more exceedingly:

Twentieth Century New Testament

Law was introduced in order that offences might be multiplied. But, where sins were multiplied, the loving-kindness of God was lavished the more,

Webster

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

Weymouth New Testament

Now Law was brought in later on, so that transgression might increase. But where sin increased, grace has overflowed;

Williams New Testament

Then law crept in to multiply the offense. Though sin has multiplied, yet God's favor has surpassed it and overflowed,

World English Bible

The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly;

Worrell New Testament

And the law entered, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did super-abound;

Worsley New Testament

Now the law made some entrance, that the offence might appear to abound; but where sin abounded, grace hath superabounded; that as sin had reigned in death,

Youngs Literal Translation

And law came in, that the offence might abound, and where the sin did abound, the grace did overabound,

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
δέ 
De 
but, and, now, then, also, yet, yea, so, moreover, nevertheless, for, even, , not tr
Usage: 2184

the law
νόμος 
Nomos 
law
Usage: 179

παρεισέρχομαι 
Pareiserchomai 
Usage: 2

ἵνα 
Hina 
that, to,
Usage: 472

the offence
παράπτωμα 
Paraptoma 
Usage: 17

πλεονάζω 
Pleonazo 
Usage: 9

But
δέ 
De 
but, and, now, then, also, yet, yea, so, moreover, nevertheless, for, even, , not tr
Usage: 2184

οὗ 
Hou 
Usage: 40

sin
ἁμαρτία 
Hamartia 
Usage: 143

πλεονάζω 
Pleonazo 
Usage: 9

χάρις 
Charis 
Usage: 151

Devotionals

Devotionals containing Romans 5:20

Images Romans 5:20

Prayers for Romans 5:20

Context Readings

Death Came Through Adam But Life Comes Through Christ

19 For just as through one man’s disobedience [his failure to hear, his carelessness] the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of the one Man the many will be made righteous and acceptable to God and brought into right standing with Him. 20 But the Law came to increase and expand [the awareness of] the trespass [by defining and unmasking sin]. But where sin increased, [God’s remarkable, gracious gift of] grace [His unmerited favor] has surpassed it and increased all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, so also grace would reign through righteousness which brings eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


Cross References

Romans 6:1

What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God’s gift of] grace may increase and overflow?

2 Chronicles 33:9-13

So Manasseh caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to sin, by doing more evil than the [pagan] nations whom the Lord had destroyed before the sons of Israel.

Psalm 25:11


For Your name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my wickedness and my guilt, for they are great.

Isaiah 1:18


“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord.
Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be like wool.

Isaiah 43:24-25


“You have not bought Me sweet cane with money,
Nor have you filled Me with the fat of your sacrifices;
But you have burdened Me with your sins,
You have wearied Me with your wickedness.

Jeremiah 3:8-14

And I saw [that even though Judah knew] that for all the acts of adultery (idolatry) of faithless Israel, I [the Lord] had sent her away and given her a certificate of divorce, yet her treacherous sister Judah was not afraid; but she went and was a prostitute also [following after idols].

Ezekiel 16:52

Also bear your disgrace [as punishment], having made judgment favorable for your sisters, for [you virtually absolved them] because of your sins in which you behaved more repulsively than they; they are more in the right than you. Yes, be ashamed and bear your disgrace, for you made your [pagan] sisters seem righteous.

Ezekiel 16:60-63

“Nevertheless, I will remember [with compassion] My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.

Ezekiel 36:25-32

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your uncleanness and from all your idols.

Micah 7:18-19


Who is a God like You, who forgives wickedness
And passes over the rebellious acts of the remnant of His possession?
He does not retain His anger forever,
Because He [constantly] delights in mercy and lovingkindness.

Matthew 9:13

Go and learn what this [Scripture] means: ‘I desire compassion [for those in distress], and not [animal] sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call [to repentance] the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to change], but sinners [those who recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness].”

Luke 7:47

Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

Luke 23:39-43

One of the criminals who had been hanged [on a cross beside Him] kept hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us [from death]!”

John 10:10

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

John 15:22

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have [the guilt of their] sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.

Romans 3:19-20

Now we know that whatever the Law [of Moses] says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that [the excuses of] every mouth may be silenced [from protesting] and that all the world may be held accountable to God [and subject to His judgment].

Romans 4:15

For the Law results in [God’s] wrath [against sin], but where there is no law, there is no violation [of it either].

Romans 6:14

For sin will no longer be a master over you, since you are not under Law [as slaves], but under [unmerited] grace [as recipients of God’s favor and mercy].

Romans 7:5-13

When we were living in the flesh [trapped by sin], the sinful passions, which were awakened by [that which] the Law [identifies as sin], were at work in our body to bear fruit for death [since the willingness to sin led to death and separation from God].

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate [by perversion], nor those who participate in homosexuality,

2 Corinthians 3:7-9

Now if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones [the covenant of the Law which led to death because of sin], came with such glory and splendor that the Israelites were not able to look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, [a brilliance] that was fading,

Galatians 3:19-25

Why, then, the Law [what was its purpose]? It was added [after the promise to Abraham, to reveal to people their guilt] because of transgressions [that is, to make people conscious of the sinfulness of sin], and [the Law] was ordained through angels and delivered to Israel by the hand of a mediator [Moses, the mediator between God and Israel, to be in effect] until the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made.

Ephesians 1:6-8

to the praise of His glorious grace and favor, which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved [His Son, Jesus Christ].

Ephesians 2:1-5

And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins,

1 Timothy 1:13-16

even though I was formerly a blasphemer [of our Lord] and a persecutor [of His church] and a shameful and outrageous and violent aggressor [toward believers]. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief.

Titus 3:3-7

For we too once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various sinful desires and pleasures, spending and wasting our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain