“But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Rom. 5:20).
The Apostle Paul had a way with words that made their truth loom up clearly and powerfully. One habit he had was that of adding intensifiers to words to sharpen their impact.
For example, when speaking of sin in this verse, Paul used the Greek word pleonazo (pleh-on-ad’-zo) which refers to “increase” or “more.” Yet when he spoke of God’s grace, he added the intensifier huper to the verb to create a compound Greek word huperperisseuo (hoop-er-per-is-syoo’-o) which literally means “beyond surplus.”
The Bible assures us that as we draw near the end of the age, sin will multiply. We know that with the world’s population doubling every generation or less, there is bound to be tremendous increase in wrongdoing, crime, lust, hatred, and sin in all its malignant and hideous forms.
Yet as true as that is, Paul would remind us that where sin abounded in times past. God’s grace “did much more abound.” In other words, he is saying to us: “Wherever sin is in ‘surplus’, grace is in ‘super-surplus’.”
This verse tells us that although sin is multiplying fast, the grace of God is multiplying even faster. Sin is an outrage that reaches the boundaries of the highest heaven. But above all sin, the grace of God is enthroned higher than any evil or wrong can ever reach.
In relating this verse to himself, one man said: “I was not running towards God, I was running from Him. I did not go looking for Him, He came looking for me.” Such is God’s “super abounding” grace toward us.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.