Romans 5:16-19

5:16 And the gift is not like the one who sinned. For judgment, resulting from the one transgression, led to condemnation, but the gracious gift from the many failures led to justification. 5:17 For if, by the transgression of the one man, death reigned through the one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ!

5:18 Consequently, just as condemnation for all people came through one transgression, 10  so too through the one righteous act 11  came righteousness leading to life 12  for all people. 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man 13  many 14  were made sinners, so also through the obedience of one man 15  many 16  will be made righteous.


tn Grk “and not as through the one who sinned [is] the gift.”

tn The word “transgression” is not in the Greek text at this point, but has been supplied for clarity.

tn Greek emphasizes the contrast between these two clauses more than can be easily expressed in English.

tn Or “falls, trespasses,” the same word used in vv. 15, 17, 18, 20.

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

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.

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

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

12 tn Grk “righteousness of life.”

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

14 tn Grk “the many.”

15 sn One man refers here to Jesus Christ.

16 tn Grk “the many.”