‏ Romans 5:20

 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).

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