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Response
Paul’s Epistle to the Romans is significant as it elucidates the mercies of God and our expected response to those mercies. In Romans 1—3:20, Paul clarifies that all individuals fall short of God’s standards, are unrighteous, and require His grace. Moving on to Romans 3:21—4:25, Paul elaborates on how God manifested His grace through the good news (or gospel) of righteousness. Romans 5—8 delineates the outcomes of that grace manifested in salvation through Jesus Christ and the implications for those who have faith in Him. It is within this section that Paul affirms that where sin increased, grace abounded even more «Moreover, the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more: », (Romans 5:20). Romans 9—11 demonstrates God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of salvation, using Israel as an example and explaining the future deliverance of the entire nation of Israel. Romans 12—16 emphasizes the obligations believers have to live in accordance with the mercies displayed by God.
While Paul expounds on the results of salvation by grace through faith in Romans 5—8 to showcase the magnificence of God’s grace, he initially portrays the human necessity for grace. We have been justified (deemed righteous by God) and now have peace with God «Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: », (Romans 5:1). Prior to this, we were powerless «For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. », (Romans 5:6), and we were enemies of God «For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. », (Romans 5:10).
Once reconciled, we will be saved through His life.” (Romans 5:10). We were enslaved by sin due to our lineage from Adam, whose transgression affected all his descendants (Romans 5:12-19). Sin, already grave, was exacerbated by moral laws and codes of conduct. “Moreover, the law was introduced so that transgressions might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” (Romans 5:20). This was further emphasized by the Mosaic Law, serving as a guide to reveal the need for Christ (Galatians 3:17-24). However, in His mercy, God did not abandon us in our desperate state. While we were still powerless, Christ died for us. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6), demonstrating the ultimate act of grace and enabling our justification through faith in Him, resulting in peace with God.
We are no longer God’s enemies or objects of His wrath as we once were (Ephesians 2:1-3), for where sin increased, grace increased even more. “Moreover, the law was introduced so that transgressions might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” (Romans 5:20). Despite the opportunities for sin presented by human and Mosaic laws (Romans 7:7-8), God’s grace still triumphed through the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross, asWhile we were still sinners, Christ died for us «But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. », (Romans 5:8). Paul later explains this as the core of the gospel—that Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-3). Where sin increased, grace increased even more «Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: », (Romans 5:20), we can receive justification and new life through Jesus Christ by believing in Him.
Because of God’s grace expressed through the blood of Jesus poured out as a substitute for us, we are no longer enslaved to sin and are now free to live in Christ (Romans 6:6-8). This is why Paul could declare that he was not ashamed of the gospel—it is how God has provided for the salvation of all who have faith in Jesus Christ, regardless of their past (Romans 1:16-17). Where sin abounded, grace abounded even more «Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: », (Romans 5:20), and because of God’s abundant grace, we can now be filled with joy, peace, and hope «Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. », (Romans 15:13).
