Romans 6:23
New International Version
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

New Living Translation
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

English Standard Version
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Berean Standard Bible
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Berean Literal Bible
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

King James Bible
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

New King James Version
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

New American Standard Bible
For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

NASB 1995
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

NASB 1977
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Legacy Standard Bible
For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amplified Bible
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Christian Standard Bible
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

American Standard Version
For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Contemporary English Version
Sin pays off with death. But God's gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord.

English Revised Version
For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Good News Translation
For sin pays its wage--death; but God's free gift is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord.

International Standard Version
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in union with the Messiah Jesus our Lord.

Majority Standard Bible
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

NET Bible
For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

New Heart English Bible
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is everlasting life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Webster's Bible Translation
For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Weymouth New Testament
For the wages paid by Sin are death; but God's free gift is the Life of the Ages bestowed upon us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

World English Bible
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for the wages of sin [is] death, and the gift of God [is] continuous life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Berean Literal Bible
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Young's Literal Translation
for the wages of the sin is death, and the gift of God is life age-during in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Smith's Literal Translation
For the purchasing the provisions of sin, death; and the grace of God, life eternal in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For the wages of sin is death. But the grace of God, life everlasting, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For the wages of sin is death. But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

New American Bible
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

New Revised Standard Version
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through our LORD Jesus Christ.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the product of sin is death and the gift of God is eternal life in our Lord Yeshua The Messiah.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal "life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Godbey New Testament
For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Haweis New Testament
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is life eternal in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Mace New Testament
for the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Weymouth New Testament
For the wages paid by Sin are death; but God's free gift is the Life of the Ages bestowed upon us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Worrell New Testament
for the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Worsley New Testament
For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Wages of Sin
22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Cross References
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast.

John 5:24
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.

1 John 5:11-12
And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. / Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Titus 3:5-7
He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. / This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, / so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.

Galatians 6:8
The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. / For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Revelation 21:6-8
And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life. / The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. / But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Matthew 25:46
And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Isaiah 53:5-6
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. / We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.

Genesis 2:16-17
And the LORD God commanded him, “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden, / but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.”

Proverbs 11:19
Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.

Isaiah 55:1-3
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.


Treasury of Scripture

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For the wages.

Romans 5:12
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Genesis 2:17
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Genesis 3:19
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

but the.

Romans 2:7
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

Romans 5:17,21
For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) …

John 3:14-17,36
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: …

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Act Age-During Ages Bestowed Christ Death Eternal Favour Free Freely Gift Gives God's Jesus Life Paid Reward Sin Wages
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Act Age-During Ages Bestowed Christ Death Eternal Favour Free Freely Gift Gives God's Jesus Life Paid Reward Sin Wages
Romans 6
1. We may not live in sin;
2. for we are dead unto it;
3. as appears by our baptism.
12. Let not sin reign anymore;
18. because we have yielded ourselves to the service of righteousness;
23. and because death is the wages of sin.














For the wages of sin is death
This phrase highlights the concept of "wages," which implies a payment or consequence that is earned. In the biblical context, sin refers to any action, thought, or attitude that falls short of God's holiness and commands. The idea of sin leading to death is rooted in the Genesis account, where Adam and Eve's disobedience resulted in spiritual and physical death entering the world (Genesis 2:17, 3:19). Death here is both physical and spiritual, indicating separation from God. This concept is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Ezekiel 18:4, which states, "The soul who sins shall die." Theologically, this underscores the seriousness of sin and its inevitable outcome without divine intervention.

but the gift of God is eternal life
Contrasting with the earned wages of sin, the "gift of God" emphasizes grace, which is unmerited favor. Eternal life is not something humans can earn; it is a gift freely given by God. This concept of grace is central to the New Testament, particularly in the writings of Paul, who often contrasts law and grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Eternal life refers to a quality of life that begins now and continues forever, characterized by a restored relationship with God. This promise of eternal life is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and covenants, such as those found in Isaiah 25:8 and Daniel 12:2, which speak of resurrection and everlasting life.

in Christ Jesus our Lord
The phrase "in Christ Jesus" signifies the means by which eternal life is obtained. It is only through Jesus Christ, His death, and resurrection, that believers receive this gift. Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of Old Testament types and prophecies, such as the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) and the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53). The title "our Lord" affirms the authority and divinity of Jesus, acknowledging His lordship over all creation (Philippians 2:9-11). This relationship with Christ is central to the Christian faith, as it is through Him that believers are reconciled to God and receive the promise of eternal life (John 14:6).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the Book of Romans, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.

2. The Roman Church
The recipients of the letter, the Roman Christians were a diverse group of Jewish and Gentile believers living in the capital of the Roman Empire.

3. Sin
A central concept in Christian theology, sin refers to actions, thoughts, or attitudes that fall short of God's standards and separate humanity from God.

4. Death
In this context, death refers not only to physical death but also to spiritual separation from God, which is the ultimate consequence of sin.

5. Eternal Life
A key promise of the Christian faith, eternal life is the everlasting life with God, granted through faith in Jesus Christ.
Teaching Points
The Reality of Sin and Its Consequences
Sin is universal and its consequence is death, both physical and spiritual. Recognizing the seriousness of sin is crucial for understanding the need for salvation.

The Gift of God
Eternal life is a gift, not something we can earn. This underscores the grace and mercy of God, who offers salvation freely through Jesus Christ.

The Role of Jesus Christ
Jesus is central to the Christian faith as the means through which eternal life is granted. Faith in Him is essential for salvation.

Living in Light of Eternity
Understanding the gift of eternal life should transform how we live daily, encouraging us to pursue holiness and share the message of salvation with others.

The Assurance of Salvation
Believers can have confidence in their salvation, knowing it is secured by God's promise and not dependent on human effort.(23) The gift of God.--The natural antithesis would be "wages;" but this would here be inappropriate, and therefore the Apostle substitutes "the free gift." In spite of your sanctification as Christians, still you will not have earned eternal life; it is the gift of God's grace.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

wages
ὀψώνια (opsōnia)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3800: Neuter of a presumed derivative of the same as opsarion; rations for a soldier, i.e. his stipend or pay.

of sin
ἁμαρτίας (hamartias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 266: From hamartano; a sin.

[is] death,
θάνατος (thanatos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2288: Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

gift
χάρισμα (charisma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5486: From charizomai; a gratuity, i.e. Deliverance;, a endowment, i.e. religious qualification, or miraculous faculty.

of God
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

[is] eternal
αἰώνιος (aiōnios)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 166: From aion; perpetual.

life
ζωὴ (zōē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2222: Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Christ
Χριστῷ (Christō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

Lord.
Κυρίῳ (Kyriō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.


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NT Letters: Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death (Rom. Ro)
Romans 6:22
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