5:17a

For: This word introduces an explanation of 5:16. It does not introduce a reason here.

if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man: Here the word if introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, that supports the second part (“how much more will those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ”) (5:17b–c) to also be true.

Here the word if does not indicate that by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man might not be true. In some languages a literal translation would indicate this incorrect meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning without using if. For example:

consider this: death reigned through one man by that one man’s trespass, therefore
-or-
it is true that death reigned through one man by that one man’s trespass, therefore
-or-
death reigned through one man by that one man’s trespass, therefore

by the trespass of the one man: There are three ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as by :

(1) It introduces the way/means in which death reigned. Death rules all people by way of that one man sinning. For example:

through the sin of one man (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation)

(2) It introduces the instrument in which death reigned. Death rules all people by that one sin of that one man. For example:

by the trespass of the one man (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(3) It introduces the cause of death reigning. For example:

because of one man’s trespass (English Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it fits the context best and agrees with “through” later.

death reigned: This phrase indicates that everyone dies. See how you translated it in 5:14.

5:17b–c

how much more will those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!: Paul first described what the word those referred to. It referred to believers. They have received an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness. Then Paul described what they would do: they will…reign in life.

Some languages must present this information differently to make the meaning clear. For example:

much more will ⌊believers⌋, they receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ
-or-
much more will ⌊believers⌋ reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. They receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness.

5:17b

how much more: Translate this phrase as you did in 5:9 or 5:15.

will…reign in life: This clause contrasts to “death reigned” in 5:17a. Some scholars think that this clause refers only to after God’s great judgment when believers will reign (Rev 20:4, 22:5). But some scholars think that believers reign now in a figurative way by living victorious lives. If possible translate this clause in a way that allows one or both interpretations.

Here are other ways to translate this clause:

will rule in life (Good News Translation)
-or-
will be leaders in life ⌊with Jesus⌋

those who receive: Here the word receive implies that God gave the grace and the gift. In some languages receive and “take” are translated by the same word. If a literal translation would mean “take,” use “give” instead. For example:

those whom ⌊God⌋ gave

an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness: In Greek the word abundance applies to both grace and the gift of righteousness. There will always be plenty of grace and the gift of righteousness for the believer. For example:

God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness (New International Version)
-or-
the abundant amount of grace and the abundant amount of the free gift of righteousness
-or-
God’s abundant grace and are freely put right with him (Good News Translation)
-or-
God’s full grace and the great gift of being made right with him (New Century Version)

the gift of righteousness: Here the word righteousness indicates that a person’s relationship with God is right. See how you translated this word in 4:3.

5:17c

through the one man, Jesus Christ: This phrase indicates that Jesus made the way to reign in life.

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