What does Romans 6:23 mean?
Quick answer
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Two stark options, two completely different economies — earning death, or receiving life.
"Wages" = what we earn. The natural payment for sin is death — physical, spiritual, and eternal.
"Free gift" = the opposite of wages. Nothing earned, nothing owed. Just received.
"In Christ Jesus our Lord" — the gift is not a vague spiritual currency but a Person. To have eternal life is to belong to him.
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Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.