Romans 5:18-21

5:18 Consequently, just as condemnation for all people came through one transgression, so too through the one righteous act came righteousness leading to life for all people. 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of one man 10  many 11  will be made righteous. 5:20 Now the law came in 12  so that the transgression 13  may increase, but where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more, 5:21 so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


tn There is a double connective here that cannot be easily preserved in English: “consequently therefore,” emphasizing the conclusion of what he has been arguing.

tn Grk “[it is] unto condemnation for all people.”

tn Here ἀνθρώπους (anqrwpou") has been translated as a generic (“people”) since both men and women are clearly intended in this context.

tn There are no verbs in the Greek text of v. 18, forcing translators to supply phrases like “came through one transgression,” “resulted from one transgression,” etc.

sn One transgression refers to the sin of Adam in Gen 3:1-24.

sn The one righteous act refers to Jesus’ death on the cross.

tn Grk “righteousness of life.”

sn Here the one man refers to Adam (cf. 5:14).

tn Grk “the many.”

10 sn One man refers here to Jesus Christ.

11 tn Grk “the many.”

12 tn Grk “slipped in.”

13 tn Or “trespass.”