Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Original Language Analysis
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὀψώνια
the wages
G3800
ὀψώνια
the wages
Strong's:
G3800
Word #:
3 of 19
rations for a soldier, i.e., (by extension) his stipend or pay
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θάνατος
is death
G2288
θάνατος
is death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
6 of 19
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χάρισμα
the gift
G5486
χάρισμα
the gift
Strong's:
G5486
Word #:
9 of 19
a (divine) gratuity, i.e., deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e., (subjectively) religious qualification, o
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
11 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
αἰώνιος
is eternal
G166
αἰώνιος
is eternal
Strong's:
G166
Word #:
13 of 19
perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
16 of 19
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 3:36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.Romans 5:12Wherefore, 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:James 1:15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.John 6:40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.Matthew 25:46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.Ezekiel 18:20The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.Ezekiel 18:4Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.John 5:24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.Romans 5:21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.Romans 2:7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding eternal life as 'gift' rather than 'wages' transform your approach to obedience and assurance?
- What 'wages' of sin have you experienced that confirm sin's deadly payment system?
- How does the full title 'Jesus Christ our Lord' shape your understanding of how eternal life is given?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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).