The gift is not like the trespass: much more grace (Romans 5:15–17)

Says "But the gift is not like the trespass" (5:15, BSB). Paul draws three contrasts. The many died by the one man's trespass, and God's grace and gift abounded much more to the many (5:15). "The judgment that followed one sin brought condemnation, but the gift that followed many trespasses brought justification" (5:16, BSB): κατάκριμα against δικαίωμα, a sentence of acquittal (lex.G2631; lex.G1345; note.language.Rom.2.26.dikaiomata-logisthesetai). Death reigned through the one man, and "those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ" (5:17, BSB). The words are χάρισμα, δωρεά, and παράπτωμα (lex.G5486; lex.G1431; lex.G3900; note.language.Rom.5.15-Rom.5.19.dikaioma-kathistemi).

Implies Grace exceeds the trespass. Πολλῷ μᾶλλον (5:15, 17) does not weigh two equal causes: the one trespass brought condemnation, but the gift answers many trespasses, and those who receive it do not merely escape death's reign but themselves reign in life.

Implies 5:17 limits the life that comes through Christ to "those who receive" the gift (οἱ … λαμβάνοντες). This governs the "all" of 5:18 (note.exegetical.Rom.5.18-Rom.5.21.one-act-of-righteousness).