Rom 5:20-21 | RWP | e4.org | Came in beside ( παρεισηλθεν ). Second aorist active indicative of double compound παρεισερχομα , late verb, in N.T. only here and which see. See also εισηλθεν in verse . The Mosaic law came into this state of things, in between Adam and Christ. That the trespass might abound ( ινα πλεοναση το παραπτωμα ). It is usual to explain ινα here as final, as God's ultimate purpose. So Denney who refers to .; . But Chrysostom explains ινα here as εκβασις (result). This is a proper use of ινα in the Koine as we have seen. If we take it so here, the meaning is "so that the trespass abounded" (aorist active subjunctive of πλεονασω , late verb, see on ; ). This was the actual effect of the Mosaic law for the Jews, the necessary result of all prohibitions. Did abound more exceedingly ( υπερεπερισσευσεν ). First aorist active indicative of υπερπερισσευω . Late verb, in N.T. only here and which see. A strong word. If πλεοναζω is comparative ( πλεον ) περισσευω is superlative (Lightfoot) and then υπερπερισσευω goes the superlative one better. See υπερπλεοναζω in . The flood of grace surpassed the flood of sin, great as that was (and is).

‏ Romans 5:20-21

Came in beside ( παρεισηλθεν ). Second aorist active indicative of double compound παρεισερχομα, late verb, in N.T. only here and Ga 2:4 which see. See also εισηλθεν in verse 12. The Mosaic law came into this state of things, in between Adam and Christ.

That the trespass might abound ( ινα πλεοναση το παραπτωμα ). It is usual to explain ινα here as final, as God's ultimate purpose. So Denney who refers to Ga 3:19ff.; Ro 7:7f. But Chrysostom explains ινα here as εκβασις (result). This is a proper use of ινα in the Koine as we have seen. If we take it so here, the meaning is "so that the trespass abounded" (aorist active subjunctive of πλεονασω, late verb, see on 2Th 1:3; 2Co 8:15). This was the actual effect of the Mosaic law for the Jews, the necessary result of all prohibitions.

Did abound more exceedingly ( υπερεπερισσευσεν ). First aorist active indicative of υπερπερισσευω. Late verb, in N.T. only here and 2Co 7:4 which see. A strong word. If πλεοναζω is comparative ( πλεον ) περισσευω is superlative (Lightfoot) and then υπερπερισσευω goes the superlative one better. See υπερπλεοναζω in 1Ti 1:14. The flood of grace surpassed the flood of sin, great as that was (and is).

That--even so grace might reign ( ινα--ουτος κα η χαρις βασιλευση ). Final ινα here, the purpose of God and the goal for us through Christ. Lightfoot notes the force of the aorist indicative ( εβασιλευσεν, established its throne) and the aorist subjunctive ( βασιλευση, might establish its throne), the ingressive aorist both times. "This full rhetorical close has almost the value of a doxology" (Denney).