Romans 5:20 (DRB)

Passage

Now the law entered in that sin might abound. And where sin abounded, grace did more abound.

Nearby Context

Romans 5:18 Therefore, as by the offence of one, unto all men to condemnation: so also by the justice of one, unto all men to justification of life.

Romans 5:19 For as by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners: so also by the obedience of one, many shall be made just.

Romans 5:20 Now the law entered in that sin might abound. And where sin abounded, grace did more abound.

Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned to death: so also grace might reign by justice unto life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "grace", "entered", "might", "abound", "where", and "abounded". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "grace" and "entered", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 19's "For as by the disobedience of one..." into verse 21's "That as sin hath reigned to death...", so "grace" and "entered" belong inside that flow. In Romans context, the local focus is righteousness by faith, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and God's covenant faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "grace" and "entered" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.