not exist in our version. The Greek may mean either that the design of the introduction of the law was that sin might abound ; or, simply, that such was the result. Which idea is to be preferred depends on the view taken of the word rendered abound. This word may, according to a very common usage, mean, to appear, or he seen as abounding ^ see ch. 4 : 5, " Let God be true," i. e. let it be seen and acknowledged that he is true. Agreeably to this view, the meaning of the clause is, that the great de- sign of the law (in reference to justification) is to produce the knowledge and conviction of sin. Taking the word in its usual sense, the meaning is, the result of the introduction of the law was the increase of sin. This result is to be attributed partly to the fact that by enlarging the knowledge of the rule of duty, responsibility was proportionably in- creased, according to ch. 4 : 15; and partly to the consideration that the enmity of the heart is awakened by its operation and transgressions ac- tually multiplied, agreeably to ch. 7 : 8. Both views of the passage express an important truth, as the conviction of sin and its incidental in- crease are alike the result of the operation of the law. It seems, how- ever, more in accordance with the apostle's object, and with the general, although not uniform, force of the particle rendered that, to consider the clause as expressing the design, rather than the result, simply, of the giving of tlie lav/.
The word entered is hardly an adequate translatiqn of the original term. The latter expresses, in Gal. 2 : 4, the idea of surreptitious en- trance, and here probably that of superindudion. The law was super- induced on a plan already laid. It was not designed for the accomplish- ment of man's salvation, that is, either for his justification or sanctifica- tion, but for the accomplishment of a very subordinate part in the great scheme of mercy. The Jews, therefore, erred greatly, both by over- estimating its importance and mistaking its design. It was never in- tended to give life.
But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. That is, great as is the prevalence of sin, as seen and felt in the light of God's holy law, yet over all this evil the grace of the gospel has abounded. The gospel or the grace of God has proved itself much more efficacious in the production of good, than sin in the production of evil. This idea is illustrated in the following verse.
(21) That as sin hath reigned unto death, &c. That is, as sin has powerfully prevailed, and is followed by death as its necessary conse- quence. The word reigned expresses strongly the extended authority and power of sin over the human family; a power which is deadly, destructive of all excellence and happiness.
Even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord. The words " righteousness unto eternal life" should not be separated by a comma, as is commonly done in our Bibles. And the word translated righteousness should be rendered justification, as appears by a comparison with the preceding verses. " Justification