Unlimited: Grace Super-Abounds

Sep 30, 2022 1042

But where sin increased, grace increased all the more (Romans 5:20b)

Paul is referring to sin “increasing” as a result of the giving of the law at Sinai. Followers of Jesus also often talk about sin becoming worse in the world in our own day.

The good news is that no matter how much sin may overwhelm us, grace isn’t static. God always pours out more than enough grace to overwhelm sin in our lives – if we will let it.

Some translations, translate Rom. 5:20b as,

But where sin increased, grace super-abounded (DLNT.)

When sin and its works abound in your life, God’s grace super-abounds.

This is a good reflection of the meaning of this phrase. The Greek word translated as “super-abounded” here, and as “increased all the more” in the NIV, starts with the Greek prefix “hyper,” to emphasise the vast extent to which the grace of God overwhelms our sin.

There is always more grace than our sin. In the words of the apostle James (another magnificent “but”):

But he gives us more grace (James 4:5.)

When Jesus walked the earth, he was often to be found with those who were thought to be the worst of sinners. For this, he was roundly condemned by the religious leaders of his day. Yet the grace of his presence made every place where he was, a holy place. His grace always overshadows sin.

Spiritual Application

This is a beautiful verse to remember when you are feeling at your lowest, at your most wretched and far away from God. When sin and its works abound in your life, the grace of God super-abounds. In your own words, write yourself an encouraging note about this, and put it away where you will be able to find it on a day when you most need to remember it.

– Eliezer Gonzalez

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