so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Verse 21. That as sin hath reigned. . Unto death. Producing or causing death. Even so. In like manner, also. The provisions of redemption are in themselves ample to meet all the ruins of the fall. Might grace reign. Might mercy be triumphant. See , "Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." Through righteousness. Through, or by means of God's plan of justification. . Unto eternal life.
That as sin hath reigned unto death,.... This is another end of the law's entrance, or rather an illustration of the grace of God, by comparing the reigns of sin and grace together: sin has such a power over man in a state of nature, as amounts to a dominion; it has not only an enticing, ensnaring power, to draw into a compliance with it...
COMPARISON AND CONTRAST BETWEEN ADAM AND CHRIST IN THEIR RELATION TO THE HUMAN FAMILY. (Rom 5:12-21) Wherefore--that is, Things being so; referring back to the whole preceding argument. as by one man--Adam. sin--considered here in its guilt, criminality, penal desert. entered into the world, and death by sin--as the penalty of sin.
Commenting on Romans 5:12-21