Notes on the Epistle of Paul, the Apostle, to the Romans

By William Kelly

A NEW TRANSLATION OF THE TEXT ACCORDING TO ANCIENT AUTHORITY.

Chapter 5

Romans 5.

Having then, been justified by faith, we have1 peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 through whom also we have had the access into this grace wherein we stand, and boast in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only [so], but we also boast in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh out endurance; 4 and endurance proof, and proof hope: 5 and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit that was given to us. 6 For Christ, while we were yet weak, died in due time for ungodly [men]. 7 For hardly in behalf of a righteous [man] will one die: for in behalf of the good [man] perhaps one even dareth to die; 8 but God commendeth his own love towards us, because, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having been now justified by his blood, we shall be saved by him from wrath. 10 For if while enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but boasting also in God by our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom now we have received the reconciliation.

12 On this account as by one man sin entered into the world, and by sin death, and thus death passed unto all men, for that all sinned: 13 (for until law sin was in [the] world, but no sin is put to account when there is no law; 14 but death reigned from Adam till Moses even over those that had not sinned in the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is a figure of the coming [one]. 15 But [shall] not, as the offence, so also2 [be] the free gift? for if by the offence of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man Jesus Christ abound unto the many. 16 And [shall] not, as by one having sinned, [be] the gift? For the judgment [was] of one unto condemnation, but the free gift [was] of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by the offence of the one death reigned by the one, much more they that receive the abundance of the grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by the one Jesus Christ:) 18 So then as by one offence [it was] toward all men for condemnation, so also by one accomplished righteousness3 toward all men for justification of life. 19 For as by the disobedience of the one man the many were constituted sinners, so also by the obedience of the one the many shall be constituted righteous. 20 But law came in by the way, in order that the offence might abound; but where sin abounded, grace over-abounded that, as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness unto life eternal by Jesus Christ our Lord. 

1) Very excellent and ancient MSS. read ἔχωμεν, which however to my mind suits not the context, for this is doctrine, not exhortation. It is well known that the best copies often faultily interchange ω with ο, as I presume they did here. Under such circumstances internal evidence is entitled to great weight. Thus in 1 Corinthians 15:49 the authorities (save B. and very few others) read φορέσωμεν, which, I am bold to say, no sober Christian of intelligence can accept as in keeping with the context or even sound doctrine.

2) Probably Mr. Darby (who first, as far as I know, adopted the interrogative form) was not aware that this idea was suggested by the famous Bentley, as appears from the papers in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge, lately edited by Mr. A. A. Ellis, page 28.

3) It is the same word, δικαίωμα, as is translated "justification" in verse 16. See also Rom. 1:32; Rom. 2:26; Rom. 8:4.