Preparing Context
Gathering the passage
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World Stage
Structure
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Preparing Context
Gathering the passage
Loading the book, timeline, map, and study notes.
Book
World Stage
Structure
Historical Setting
Sin / Answer across Scripture
Romans 6:23 contrasts the wages of sin with God's free gift: death on one side, eternal life in Christ Jesus on the other.
Study theme
Sin
Romans describes the consequence of sin as death. Romans 6:23 contrasts the wages of sin with the free gift of God, which is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The verse summarizes two outcomes: sin pays in death, while God gives life in Christ. In context, Paul is contrasting old slavery to sin with belonging to God.
Romans 6 explains why grace does not leave believers enslaved to sin. The chapter contrasts serving sin with belonging to God and receiving life in Christ.
Romans 6:20-23 is the central passage for this answer. Earlier in the chapter, Romans 6:1-4 shows why grace does not become permission to remain under sin's rule.
Key passages
20For when you were servants of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.
21What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
22But now, being made free from sin, and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life.
23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
A common misunderstanding is to treat sin as only a mistake with natural consequences. Romans presents sin as a power that pays wages and leads to death.