Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 5:20

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

Here he shews the reason why the Law was given, although (as tis in v. 13.) before that time sin was in the world, it was that the offence might abound.

Either strictly the offence of that One man, or rather largely the offence of Every man. The particular [non-Latin text not transcribed] (rendred that) is to be taken either Causally, and so it is interpreted by Gal. 3.19. where it is said, the Law was added because of transgression, that thereby the guilt and punishment of sin being more fully discovered, the riches of Gods free grace and mercy might be the more admired; or else Eventually, it so falls out by accident, or by reason of mans corruption, that sin is thereby increased or augmented. The Law is Holy, Just and Good (as hereafter) how then doth that encrease sin? Either as it irritates the Sinner, chap. 3.20. and 7.8, 11. or makes manifest the sin, chap. 7.7, 13. thereby sin is known to be as indeed it is out of measure sinful.

This is added by way of Correction to mitigate the former assertion, and it layes down a second end of giving the Law, the former was the encrease and manifestation of sin, the latter is the abounding or superaboun[illegible: 1 letter]ing of Gods grace▪ There is this difference to be observed; that the first end is Universal, for in all men both good and bad, the Law worketh the encrease and knowledg of sin; but the other is Particular and peculiar to the Elect; to them only the grace of God is superabundant after that they have abounded in sin, and by how much the greater is their guilt, by so much the greater is the grace of God in the free forgiveness thereof.

Marginal references: Joh. 15.22. Chap 4.15.; Or, it came in between.