Romans 5:17 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Much more they which receive, &c.— The abounding of grace here, is without all doubt the same as the grace of God which hath abounded to many, Romans 5:15 and the gift of righteousness or justification, is the same as the gift by the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, Romans 5:15. There, the grace and the gift are considered simply and absolutely,—as free to the many, or to all mankind: here, they are considered as received, or duly improved by some of the many, or some part of mankind, in order to their eternal happiness. Grace is the favour or good-will of the donor; the gift of justification is one of the great benefits that he has bestowed. Instead of reigned by one,—in life by one, we may read through one.