Romans 5:17
ESV
For if, because of one man 's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
NIV
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
NASB
For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
CSB
Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
NLT
For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
KJV
For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
NKJV
For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)
What does Romans 5:17 mean?
"Death reigned" (Romans 5:14). That was the result of Adam's sin. Sin always brings death. Death became king. It ruled the lives of every person born from Adam.By contrast, Paul now writes, those who receive the abundance of God's grace and the free gift of righteousness will themselves reign in life through Jesus. In other words, receiving God's justification by placing our faith in Christ not only frees us from the kingdom of death, it allows us to rule in the kingdom of life alongside Jesus, as the very children of God. Some translations add the word "will" before reign, since the Greek word here—basileusousin—is in the future tense. This verse very likely points to a future time when Christ's kingdom will be fully established on earth, although our status as His co-heirs is already established (Romans 8:17).
It's essential to notice, however, that Paul has added a qualifier in this verse: This freedom from death and life in Christ is available only through Jesus and only to those who "receive" the abundance of God's grace. Not everyone escapes death's reign, because not everyone receives, by faith, God's gift of life (John 1:12).
