Paul means that the law revealed how abundant sin really is, and in response God's grace proved to be even greater.
In Romans 5:20 Paul says the law entered so that the offense might abound—not so that the law could save. Les Feldick emphasizes that the law only shows people their sin, while the grace of God goes beyond even the worst sinner's sin and makes the saved person a trophy of grace.
Romans 5:20 — This is the exact verse in question; it says the offense abounded and grace did much more abound.
Romans 5:21 — It clarifies the outcome: grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:20 (KJV) reads: 'Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.' The next verse continues, 'That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.' Paul then shows how this applies to the believer in Romans 6:14: 'For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.'
Les explains that the law was given to expose human sinfulness, not to increase it. It has no saving or justifying power; all it can do is show us our sin. By the time Christ came, the whole world was steeped in idolatry and paganism, so sin truly abounded. Yet the grace of God is always greater. Les repeatedly says that no matter how vile the sinner, God's grace can go deeper, reach below, and lift that person up and make him a trophy of grace. He also stresses that grace is not license—Paul was falsely accused of preaching that—but the grace of God is always greater than any person's sin.
Les says no. 'That's all the law can do,' he explains; 'it shows us our sin. It has no saving power. It has no power of justification whatsoever' (Clip 2). The law entered so sin could be seen for all its awfulness, not so the law could make people more sinful. That is why Paul writes, 'where sin abounded, grace did much more abound' (Romans 5:20, Clip 3).
No. Les says Paul himself was falsely accused of preaching that because God's grace is great, people can go ahead and sin as they wish. But that is not what grace means; grace is not license. At the same time, very few people comprehend that the grace of God is greater than any person's sin, and it is always greater (Clip 6).
Les points out that everyone knows someone who seems ungodly, hateful toward God, and living like a reprobate, yet God still loves them. 'God is able to reach below the vilest sinner, and lift him up, and make him a saint' (Clip 1). He also notes that in the genealogies, as low as some people fell, the grace of God was able to go beyond that, and from Adam's sin onward God's grace has always been evident (Clip 3).
Les says the difference is like daylight and dark. When Paul writes, 'sin shall not have dominion over you,' the reason is that the believer is not under the law but under grace. Grace is unmerited favor—nothing a person can do counts with God; it is all based on what Christ has done (Clip 5, Romans 6:14).
Les explains that by the time Christ came in His first advent, the whole world was steeped in idolatry and paganism, and sin abounded. He adds that everything we see today has been part and parcel of the human race down through history (Clip 2). The law was given so that sin could be seen for all of its awfulness, and then grace could be seen to exceed it (Clip 3).
Why Grace Is Not a License to Sin — Romans 6 Explained
television people as well as, of course, my class people for your continued prayer support, for your financial support. And I was just telling someone before we started the cameras rolling, in the last week, I've had two people from two different areas of the country suddenly realize that I'm just a layman. I have no formal education. I have no big church congregation behind me.
God's Grace Reaches the Vilest Sinner
Les uses Romans 5:20 to show that even someone everyone considers ungodly—even a reprobate—is still loved by God, and God can reach below the vilest sinner to lift him up and make him a saint.
The Law Exposes Sin, Not a License for It
Les teaches that the law was given to show how sinful people really were; it has no saving or justifying power. He also shows that by Christ's first advent the world was steeped in idolatry and paganism, so sin abounded.
Sin Seen in All Its Awfulness
Les connects Romans 5:20 to Paul's point that sin could be seen for all its awfulness, and no matter how low a person fell, the grace of God went beyond that—even from Adam's sin onward.
No Sinner Beyond Grace
Les says where sin abounded, grace can be greater, and there is no soul so steeped in sin that God cannot save, clean up, and make a trophy of grace.
Under Grace, Not Under Law
Les explains the difference between law and grace: under grace, sin does not have dominion because nothing we do counts with God; it is all based on what Christ has done.
Grace Is Never a License to Sin
Les insists that grace is not license. Paul was falsely accused of teaching that grace permits sin, but the grace of God is always greater than any person's sin.
Grace Greater Than Adam's Offense
Les emphasizes that the grace of God, which compensates for the fall of Adam, is greater than anything Adam did, and God has made the way back for every human being.
Romans 5:20: Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
This is the core verse; it contrasts the law's purpose with the superabundance of grace.
Romans 5:21: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
It shows grace reigning through righteousness, resulting in eternal life by Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
This verse gives the practical result: the believer is under grace, not law, so sin does not reign.
Romans 5:15: But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
This is the 'much more' pattern that Paul says about grace being greater than Adam's offense.
It means that no matter how much sin is present, God's grace is even greater. Les says that the law shows us how sinful we are, but God's grace is able to reach below the vilest sinner and lift him up.
No. Les teaches that the law only shows how sinful people already were; it has no saving power. The law entered so that sin could be seen for all its awfulness, and then grace abounded more.
Yes. Les says there is no soul on the planet so steeped in sin and wickedness that God won't save in a minute, clean up his life, and make him a trophy of grace.
No. Grace is not license. Les explains that Paul was falsely accused of preaching that grace permits sin, but the grace of God is always greater and never gives permission to sin.
Watch the Teaching: Why Grace Is Not a License to Sin — Romans 6 Explained