Romans 5:15

Romans 5:15

Romans 5:15 contrasts the offense (Adam’s sin) with the free gift (Christ’s grace). “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift” emphasizes the superiority of grace over sin. The verse continues: “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 logic is not merely comparative but revelatory: where sin overflowed, grace superabounds. The “one man” reference to Jesus as the source of abundant grace echoes the previous contrast with Adam, reinforcing the nature of salvation as a free gift that surpasses the damage sin has caused. The verse sets up a robust soteriology where grace not only cancels guilt but empowers life.

This passage highlights the sufficiency and abundance of grace in Christ. It counters any notion that salvation is a limited act or that sin’s damage fixes the outcome. Rather, grace is more pervasive, more expansive, and more effective. This undergirds the assurance of believers: security in Christ comes from the superiority of Christ’s gift over Adam’s transgression.

In practical terms, this verse invites lavish trust in God’s generosity. When you doubt whether grace can cover your past or your present, remember that grace abounds toward many through Jesus. It can reshape how you view failures: not as endings but as places where God’s grace can shine brighter. It also invites generosity toward others who have fallen short—extending grace in everyday interactions, forgiving more readily, and modeling a grace-filled faith to friends and family.

Cross-References: Romans 3:24-26; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 2:4-7; 1 Timothy 1:14; 2 Corinthians 9:8-11