Parallel Verses

King James Version

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

New American Standard Bible

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

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:

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,

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 as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.


Cross References

Romans 6:1

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 Chronicles 33:9-13

So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.

Psalm 25:11

For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

Isaiah 1:18

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 43:24-25

Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

Jeremiah 3:8-14

And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

Ezekiel 16:52

Thou also, which hast judged thy sisters, bear thine own shame for thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable than they: they are more righteous than thou: yea, be thou confounded also, and bear thy shame, in that thou hast justified thy sisters.

Ezekiel 16:60-63

Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant.

Ezekiel 36:25-32

Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

Micah 7:18-19

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

Matthew 9:13

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 7:47

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

Luke 23:39-43

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 15:22

If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.

Romans 3:19-20

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Romans 4:15

Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Romans 6:14

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 7:5-13

For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

2 Corinthians 3:7-9

But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

Galatians 3:19-25

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Ephesians 1:6-8

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Ephesians 2:1-5

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

1 Timothy 1:13-16

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Titus 3:3-7

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and 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