Romans 5:20

Moreover More simply, But, or (better) Now. In this verse and 21 a new consideration comes in, almost independent of the chain of reasoning, but meant to illustrate the surpassing "abundance" of grace (Romans 5:15-17).

the law Lit. Law; but probably the reference is definite, as implied by the mention of Mosesin Romans 5:14. See note on Romans 5:13, on the peculiar position of the Mosaic law.

entered Lit. entered by the side; as if an afterthought in the great plan. Cp. Galatians 3:19.

that the offence might abound Q. d., "that the disease might be brought to the surface." This bringing out of latent sinfulness was a real mercy. Cp. Romans 7:13. Obviously St Paul does not mean that this was the only, or chief, aim of the holy Law; but that in view of the question in hand(justification of sinners for Another's sake,) such was its function. It was to bring out the fact that men were not only guilty" in Adam," but personally sinful.

the offence Man's offences, regarded as a single whole. Just below we have "the sin;" the principleof which "the offence" was the expression.

sin Lit. the sin. So just below, the grace. The reference is to sin and grace in their special aspects here.

much more abound These words represent one compound verb in the Gr., and that verb is strengthened by the compounded preposition, and is itself a stronger word than that just used for "the abundance" of sin: where the sin multiplied, there the grace superabounded. On the thought here, see notes on Romans 5:16.