Romans 5:21
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:21
This verse continues the contrast between sin’s reign and grace’s reign. Sin reigns in death; grace reigns through righteousness to eternal life in Christ Jesus. The imagery of reign suggests a ruling power—either death as the consequence of sin or grace as the kingly rule that leads to life. “Through righteousness” indicates that the means by which grace reigns is the righteous life granted to believers through faith and the Spirit. The verse culminates the earlier argument that Christ’s act overcomes the consequences of sin and invites believers into a new mode of existence—one where life is defined by covenant allegiance to Jesus.
The verse ties eschatological hope (eternal life) to present reality (grace reigning now). It affirms the objective distribution of life through Christ and the transformative power of grace to reorder a believer’s allegiance—from self-rule or sin’s tyranny to God’s righteousness. This has ecclesial and missional implications: communities of grace become living advertisements of a coming reign where death is defeated and life is abundant.
Live under grace, not under fear of sin’s consequences. Practical steps: cultivate daily choices that reflect a reign of grace—honesty, generosity, forgiveness. In conflict, extend the grace that has been given to you, choosing reconciliation over retaliation. Share the good news that life comes through Jesus, not through personal achievement. Let the belief in eternal life shape your priorities: invest in relationships, justice, and mercy now, knowing this reign culminates in an everlasting future.
Cross-References: Romans 8:2-4; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Colossians 3:1-4; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:3-5