But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more. (Romans 5:20)
In this part of Romans, Paul has been using contrast and examples to help us understand God’s overwhelming grace towards us. In this passage he uses some interesting “math”:
One wrongdoing –> condemnation to all
One righteous act –> justification to all
One man’s disobedience –> many made sinners
One man’s obedience –> many made righteous
Adam’s transgression resulted in punishment and sin for all of us but Jesus’s sacrifice saves all who put their faith and trust in Him. The Old Testament law helped make it clear that we couldn’t be “good enough” on our own. Knowing God’s standards and expectations “the law came along to multiply the trespass” (5:20a). Here’s where this “math” gets interesting, (5:20b) “But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more.”
Praise God that no matter how much sin we have, grace is so much greater! Itʻs not just one grace for one wrong but it’s peace and justification for all of our wrongs for all time! Our multitudinous sins + Jesus’ sacrifice = Heaven! The math doesn’t make sense except if we remember that God so loved us that He sent His Son to save us. If He would do that while we were still sinners, how much more grace through our Christ who lives!