God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.

律法本是外添的，叫过犯显多；只是罪在哪里显多，恩典就更显多了。

而且加添了律法，使得过犯增加，只是罪在哪里增加，恩典就在哪里越发丰盛了。

而且加添了律法，使得过犯增加，只是罪在哪里增加，恩典就在哪里越发丰盛了。

律法是后来颁布的，使过犯更多地显出来，只是哪里的罪越多，哪里的恩典就显得越丰富。

律法的出现，是要叫过犯增多；然而罪在哪里增多，恩典就更加增多了。

律法出现，为要使过犯增多；可是，罪在哪里增多，恩典就在哪里格外增多。

律法本是外添的，叫過犯顯多；只是罪在哪裏顯多，恩典就更顯多了。

而且加添了律法，使得過犯增加，只是罪在哪裏增加，恩典就在哪裏越發豐盛了。

而且加添了律法，使得過犯增加，只是罪在哪裏增加，恩典就在哪裏越發豐盛了。

律法是後來頒佈的，使過犯更多地顯出來，只是哪裡的罪越多，哪裡的恩典就顯得越豐富。

律法的出現，是要叫過犯增多；然而罪在哪裡增多，恩典就更加增多了。

律法溜了進來，使過犯增多；但罪在哪裏增多，恩典也就在哪裏格外地滿溢；

律法出現，為要使過犯增多；可是，罪在哪裡增多，恩典就在哪裡格外增多。

且律既至、俾愆益增、罪既增、而恩愈洪矣、

律法立、而罪之多以顯、亦罪多、而恩之洪益彰、

律法立、致罪增益、然罪增益之處、恩寵更裕、

夫法之所至罪之所彰也；而罪之所彰、恩亦彌盛。

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

The law was given so that sin would increase. But where sin increased, God’s grace increased even more.

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more

The Law came in so that the offense would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,

And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:

The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more

Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Now the law came in so that the transgression may increase, but where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more,

The law came in that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly;

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?

Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins.

Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

“ I tell you, her sins— and they are many— have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”

Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people.Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham.Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it.But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith.And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.

For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it.( The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!)

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil— the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.( It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

“ Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord.“ Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Then he added,“ Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture:‘ I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

You have not brought me fragrant calamus or pleased me with the fat from sacrifices. Instead, you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your faults.“ I— yes, I alone— will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.

They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin.

When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death.But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said,“ You must not covet.”But sin used this command to arouse all kinds of covetous desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power.At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life,and I died. So I discovered that the law’s commands, which were supposed to bring life, brought spiritual death instead.Sin took advantage of those commands and deceived me; it used the commands to kill me.But still, the law itself is holy, and its commands are holy and right and good.But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my death? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation to death. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God’s good commands for its own evil purposes.

Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!

Shame on you! Your sins are so terrible that you make your sisters seem righteous, even virtuous.

Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you when you were young, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.Then you will remember with shame all the evil you have done. I will make your sisters, Samaria and Sodom, to be your daughters, even though they are not part of our covenant.And I will reaffirm my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the Lord.You will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silent shame when I forgive you of all that you have done. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”

“ Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols.And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.“ And you will live in Israel, the land I gave your ancestors long ago. You will be my people, and I will be your God.I will cleanse you of your filthy behavior. I will give you good crops of grain, and I will send no more famines on the land.I will give you great harvests from your fruit trees and fields, and never again will the surrounding nations be able to scoff at your land for its famines.Then you will remember your past sins and despise yourselves for all the detestable things you did.But remember, says the Sovereign Lord, I am not doing this because you deserve it. O my people of Israel, you should be utterly ashamed of all you have done!

The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away.Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people— none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

She saw that I divorced faithless Israel because of her adultery. But that treacherous sister Judah had no fear, and now she, too, has left me and given herself to prostitution.Israel treated it all so lightly— she thought nothing of committing adultery by worshiping idols made of wood and stone. So now the land has been polluted.But despite all this, her faithless sister Judah has never sincerely returned to me. She has only pretended to be sorry. I, the Lord, have spoken!”Then the Lord said to me,“ Even faithless Israel is less guilty than treacherous Judah!Therefore, go and give this message to Israel. This is what the Lord says:“ O Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with you forever.Only acknowledge your guilt. Admit that you rebelled against the Lord your God and committed adultery against him by worshiping idols under every green tree. Confess that you refused to listen to my voice. I, the Lord, have spoken!“ Return home, you wayward children,” says the Lord,“ for I am your master. I will bring you back to the land of Israel— one from this town and two from that family— from wherever you are scattered.

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed,“ So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself— and us, too, while you’re at it!”But the other criminal protested,“ Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die?We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.”Then he said,“ Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”And Jesus replied,“ I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it:“ Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”— and I am the worst of them all.But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.

But Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem to do even more evil than the pagan nations that the Lord had destroyed when the people of Israel entered the land.The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they ignored all his warnings.So the Lord sent the commanders of the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon.But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors.And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request. So the Lord brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized that the Lord alone is God!