What does Romans 6:23 mean?
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” contrasts what sin earns (death) with what God gives (eternal life). One is a wage we’ve worked for; the other is a free gift.
“Wages” are payment earned. Sin pays out death — separation from God. It is what we have coming to us.
Against that stands a “gift,” which by definition is not earned. Eternal life is not a wage for being good; it is given freely “in Christ Jesus.” The verse puts the whole gospel in one sentence: what we deserve versus what God offers.
What “death” does Romans 6:23 mean?
More than physical death — ultimately spiritual death, eternal separation from God. The contrast is with “eternal life,” which is relationship with God forever.
Original BibleDawn explanation · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.