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Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Our study in Romans now brings us to one of the most well-known verses in all of Scripture. Romans 6:23 is a magnificent summary of the things Paul has been teaching us about slavery to sin as opposed to slavery to God. In one brief sentence, he powerfully contrasts these two states of existence. For this reason, this verse is often used in gospel presentations to show the hopelessness of unbelief as opposed to the glorious hope of those who have faith in Christ.
The contrasts Paul presents here are razor sharp. First, there are the two subjects of the action, “sin” and “God.” At first, we might think that this contrast is a bit awkward, that sin and righteousness or Satan and God would be more logical opposites. But sin and God are the masters Paul has been speaking of throughout chapter 6. Sin must be understood in the sense of our sinful acts and inclinations, our refusal to submit to God. Second, Paul tells us that sin pays “wages” but God gives a “gift.” The idea of wages implies something we earn. We have seen that we are all guilty in God’s sight because of Adam’s failure as our God-appointed representative, but his fall also caused us all to be born with an overpowering inclination to rebel against God. We all, therefore, bring His wrath upon ourselves. By contrast, we can do nothing to earn His gift; it comes to us only by His grace. Third, the apostle contrasts the tangible outcome of sin’s wages and God’s gift: death vs. life. Sin will lead us to everlasting separation from God and never-ending punishment for having challenged His sovereignty. By contrast, God’s gift is eternal life for those who trust in Christ. This is not just existence, for even unbelievers will “exist” forever. Here Paul is describing the state of knowing God and being with Him under His favor for all eternity.
Our commentator, Dr. James M. Boice, points out that although eternity is certainly on Paul’s mind here, he has been talking about obedience to God in the present. He notes that the Greek word translated “wages” here was used of the daily rations given to Roman soldiers. There is a sense, then, in which slavery to sin means “death” in the here and now, for it is life apart from God and His grace. By contrast, the one who is enslaved to God knows abundant life from the very moment he is declared righteous by his gracious new Master.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
The most important words in this verse are “in Christ Jesus.” No words are contrasted with these, but that absence is in itself a contrast, for those who serve sin are not in Christ. The key difference among human beings is not male vs. female, black vs. white, old vs. young, and so forth. It is whether one is in Christ Jesus. Where do you stand?
For Further Study
- Jeremiah 9:23–24
- Jonah 2:9
- John 10:28
- John 17:3
- 1 John 5:11