King James Version

What Does Romans 6:23 Mean?

Romans 6:23 in the King James Version says “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” — study this verse from Romans chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Romans 6:23 · KJV

Eternal Life

Context

21

What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

23

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

Read Romans 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For the wages of sin is death—ta gar opsōnia tēs hamartias thanatos (τὰ γὰρ ὀψώνια τῆς ἁμαρτίας θάνατος). Opsōnia (ὀψώνια, wages) was military pay, earned compensation. Sin pays its 'employees' exactly what they deserve: death. The genitive tēs hamartias (of sin) indicates sin as employer; death is the earned wage. This is justice: sin merits death. Thanatos (θάνατος, death) encompasses spiritual death (separation from God now), physical death (mortality), and eternal death (hell, second death). The wage is earned, deserved, and paid in full.

But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord—to de charisma tou theou zōē aiōnios en Christō Iēsou tō kyriō hēmōn (τὸ δὲ χάρισμα τοῦ θεοῦ ζωὴ αἰώνιος ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν). Sharp contrast: opsōnia (wages, earned) vs. charisma (χάρισμα, gift, unearned). Eternal life isn't earned but graciously given. En Christō Iēsou (ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, in Christ Jesus)—union with Christ is the sphere where this gift exists; apart from Christ, no eternal life. The full title emphasizes His mediatorial role: Jesus (Savior), Christ (Messiah), our Lord (sovereign Master). This verse summarizes Romans 6 and the gospel: sin earns death; grace gives life through Christ. The two slaveries have opposite compensations: wages (death) vs. gift (life).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Roman soldiers understood wages—regular pay (stipendium) and bonuses (donativum). Paul uses opsōnia (wages) to emphasize sin's 'earned' consequence. Gift-giving in Roman culture involved patronage (benefaction expecting loyalty/gratitude), but Paul's charisma (gift of grace) is freely given without strings. Jewish theology taught that sin brings death (Genesis 2:17, Ezekiel 18:20); Paul affirms this but contrasts it with God's gift of life in Christ. The phrase 'in Christ Jesus' became central to Pauline theology—all salvation blessings exist in union with Christ, not as independent transactions.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding eternal life as 'gift' rather than 'wages' transform your approach to obedience and assurance?
  2. What 'wages' of sin have you experienced that confirm sin's deadly payment system?
  3. How does the full title 'Jesus Christ our Lord' shape your understanding of how eternal life is given?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
τὰ1 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γὰρ2 of 19

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ὀψώνια3 of 19

“the wages”

G3800

rations for a soldier, i.e., (by extension) his stipend or pay

τῆς4 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁμαρτίας5 of 19

“of sin”

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

θάνατος6 of 19

“is death”

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

τὸ7 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ8 of 19

“but”

G1161

but, and, etc

χάρισμα9 of 19

“the gift”

G5486

a (divine) gratuity, i.e., deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e., (subjectively) religious qualification, o

τοῦ10 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ11 of 19

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ζωὴ12 of 19

“life”

G2222

life (literally or figuratively)

αἰώνιος13 of 19

“is eternal”

G166

perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)

ἐν14 of 19

“through”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Χριστῷ15 of 19

“Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

Ἰησοῦ16 of 19

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

τῷ17 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κυρίῳ18 of 19

“Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἡμῶν19 of 19

“our”

G2257

of (or from) us

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 6:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 6:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 3:36Romans 5:12James 1:15John 6:40Ezekiel 18:20Matthew 25:46

Test Your Knowledge

Romans 6 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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