Updated: April 2025
One verse that’s often quoted when the Gospel is shared is Romans 6:23:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
A closer look at this verse reveals something sobering and profound—we get exactly what we deserve.
Death is the payment for sin. “Wages” implies compensation—just as someone receives payment for their labor, those whose lives are marked by sin receive death as their due reward.
In today’s article, I want to explore three key elements in this verse: Sin, Death, and Eternal Life.
Sin: What Is It? When, Where, and How Did It Begin?
The Bible defines sin as “the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4 KJV). It’s rebellion against God’s will (Deuteronomy 6:23; Joshua 1:18)—a deliberate revolt against His righteous authority.
Sin originated in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve willfully disobeyed God. In Genesis 2:15-17, God commands Adam not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, warning that disobedience would result in death.
Yet, in Genesis 3:1-6, both Adam and Eve disobey, choosing self-will over submission to God.
Because Adam stood as the representative of humanity, his sin was imputed to all (Romans 5:12). As a result, every person is born into sin and stands under the judgment of God (Romans 3:23).
That’s why Jesus told Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee, that one must be “born again” to see the kingdom of God (John 3:3–5). We are born physically alive, but spiritually dead.
Death: The Just Penalty for Sin
What is death, biblically speaking? It’s crucial to understand that death in Scripture never implies non-existence. Instead, it always implies separation.
Two Kinds of Death:
- Spiritual death – separation from God due to sin.
- Physical death – separation of the soul from the body.
Did Adam and Eve die physically or spiritually—or both? Genesis 3:23–24 tells us they were banished from Eden, separated from God’s presence.
They experienced spiritual death immediately. Although Adam lived 930 more years, the moment they sinned, their intimate fellowship with God was severed.
Some Bible teachers believe they also began dying physically that day. Considering 2 Peter 3:8—“With the Lord a day is like a thousand years”—Adam dying within a millennium still fits God’s warning.
But was it really just about fruit? No. The sin went deeper. Adam and Eve’s motivation was to be “like God” (Genesis 3:4–6). That desire mirrors Lucifer’s rebellion (Isaiah 14:12–14; Ezekiel 28:12–18). The sin wasn’t about hunger—it was about pride, ambition, and rejecting God’s authority.
Eternal Life in Christ: God’s Gracious Gift
Romans 6:23 presents both bad news and good news. The bad news: the wages of sin is death. The good news: the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Like a doctor delivering a diagnosis followed by a cure, Paul highlights the seriousness of sin before introducing the solution. God offers us something we could never earn: the gift of eternal life.
But what is eternal life?
Is it merely “living forever”? Not exactly. Everyone lives forever—either with God or separated from Him. The question is where and how.
John 3:36 says,
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”
Notice the present tense—“has eternal life.” It’s not just a future hope; it’s a present reality. Eternal life begins the moment we place our faith in Christ. Unfortunately, many believe salvation is only about avoiding hell. But Jesus came for much more than that.
Spiritual death is the separation between us and God caused by sin. Jesus removed that barrier through His death and resurrection. As believers, we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), restored to fellowship with God.
Jesus Himself defined eternal life in John 17:3:
“Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”
The word “know” here is more than intellectual knowledge. Genesis 4:1 says, “Adam knew his wife…” referring to intimate relationship. Eternal life is not just knowledge about God—it’s a deep, personal relationship with Him.
That’s why Jesus came—not just to save us from something (hell), but to restore us to something (relationship with God). We don’t have to wait for heaven to experience eternal life. We can enjoy it now.
“True eternal life begins with a relationship with the Lord.”
Conclusion: Life or Death—The Choice Is Yours
Romans 6:23 captures both the justice and mercy of God. Sin demands death, but God offers a free gift—eternal life through Jesus Christ. This gift cannot be earned; it can only be received by faith.
Adam’s sin brought condemnation, but Christ’s obedience brought righteousness (Romans 5:18–20). Through Jesus, we are no longer under the penalty of sin but are offered life and freedom.
Do you want to receive God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ?
Do you recognize your need for a Savior?
Would you like to walk in a personal, restored relationship with God?
God has placed before you life and death. He urges you to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:15, 19).
The choice is yours.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly believe in and think will be beneficial to my readers. Thank you for supporting Biblical Christianity!
Recommended Resource: In Light of Eternity: Perspectives on Heaven by Randy Alcorn
In bestseller after bestseller, Randy Alcorn has held readers spellbound with fast-paced, gripping fiction infused with eternal themes.
Now, he responds to the widespread hunger for more insight on this subject with a straightforward, real-life look at heaven, rewards, and how to live in light of eternity.
Thank God for leading me to this beautiful, simplified message appropriate for today, the Good Friday, 10th of April 2020.
God bless, Alice.
Hi G,
Thank you too, for stopping by and leaving a comment. It’s very much appreciated.
God is good, indeed! We do not deserve His forgiveness but He is giving it anyway. So as we remember Jesus’ sacrifice today, may we learn to be more grateful and appreciative of the gift of eternal life that He has freely given us.
God loves us with an everlasting love and all we can do now is live a life that brings glory to His name.
Have a blessed weekend ahead!
Alice,
Wonderful article.
Is it so important for us to learn this information.
I love the way you described the two forms of death.
Few people know about spiritual death.
It is very important for people to know about spirituality.
One can be spiritually dead and physically alive. When that is the case, many things go wrong in their lives.
Hello again Linda, thanks for coming back.
Indeed, few people know they’re spiritually dead and need to be regenerated by repenting of their sins and placing their faith in what Christ has accomplished on the cross for us. I think this is because we often equate spirituality with religiosity. Many people think they’re saved and are on their way to heaven just because they practice certain rites and rituals which they think are pleasing to God. “Walking dead” best describes many people today, they’re physically alive but spiritually dead.
While physical death seem scary, spiritual death is many times more scary because it means separation from God. In this world today, the righteous and the wicked both enjoy the good things and blessings that come from God because of His mercy and grace. Imagine not having any of these in the afterlife. Because this is what hell means – separation from a good God. There could be nothing good without God.
We all deserve the punishment of hell but because of God’s great love for the world, He Himself paid the price for us in full so that we may be reconciled back to Him.
I hope this message of eternal life in Christ will reach more people who are in the darkness so they too will be spared from the death penalty for their sin.
Thank you for your clear and concise explanation of what sin is and why we need God.
I think sometimes we only hear about sin is bad and God is mad. But that is totally not true. And with your clear explanation many people will understand their need for a saviour and come to know his loving grace and mercy. Keep up the good work!
Until we realize we’re lost in sin and are separated from God, we will never acknowledge our need of a Savior. All too often people only think of murder, rape or theft as sin and do not understand that we were all born into this world with a sin nature because of Adam’s disobedience. I know because that’s how I used to think, but thank God for His amazing grace that saved a sinned such as I.
As Christians we must continue sharing the Gospel message so that they too may receive God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks SJ, shalom and God bless!
Being a Christian myself, I can definitely vouch that this article hits the salvation nail right on the head. Pretty cool that you have such an understanding of the Gospel, Alice. It’s really so simple, complex at the same time. Or maybe, better said, the main point is simple, but the details have a LOOOOOT of details. lol
Of course, since you are quoting chapter and verse throughout, you may find some turned off by this – those who find adhering to one book as a source of direction kind of narrow-minded and one-dimensional. But regardless, you did outline the salvation plan succinctly and with grace, so…I wouldn’t change a thing. Unless of course you have a change of heart in the TYPE of person you’re trying to reach. That’s always the most important when writing…knowing our audience!
I’d like to hear your personal story somewhere in this article to help enlighten it. I find people sometimes weary of facts and quotations, but when I tell something that happened to me, they at least always listen through to the end. Probably because our experience is something that no one can refute.
Anyway, nice to hear the Gospel presented so well. Keep being a good student of the Word!
Hi TJ,
Thanks for your encouraging comment.
I agree that there will always be people who get turned off when we keep shoveling in the truths of the Bible in pointing out man’s needs for salvation. Nevertheless, we need to just keep on sharing it as we have been commissioned to share it to everyone.
So here’s my story:
Before I came to fully surrender my life to Christ, I never realized how lost and pitiful I was because I thought I was a good person; I thought I was fine because I wasn’t doing anything wrong against other people. To me, what was considered sinful are the acts in violation of the Ten Commandments outlined in the Old Testament. I was a nominal Christian back then, a Roman Catholic, to be more specific. I considered myself better than the others because I wasn’t committing murder, adultery, I wasn’t stealing and all that.
Little did I know that I was lost in sin and separated from God; that I was on my way to hell. Thank God He reached out to me even when I wasn’t seeking for Him and rescued me from the death penalty that is due for everyone who doesn’t accept God’s gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. I was dead but made alive in Christ, I was lost and now I’m found, hallelujah!
I am now enjoying God’s gift of eternal life even while I am still in this world, eternal life which is knowing the Father and His son Jesus who gave Himself to pay the penalty for my sin. I will forever sing how amazing the grace of God is for rescuing me from the dead.
Blessings!
Great article. Sin is breaking Gods’ law. We cannot practice sin and go back with Jesus when he comes. Our love for God has to be greater than our inclinations and our desire. No matter how sin makes us feel good it is heading to death. Most people don’t realize that the wages of sin is death until it is too late and they have passed from this life to the next, they then see that the wages of sin is true and real death. Sin feels like pleasure but it is only for a season because on payday, sin always pays with death. A lot of bad things happen today because of sin. We should always try to avoid sin because sin carries a high price, sin is not always forgiven and sin brings forth shame. We should get to know the scriptures and avoid the wrong doings.
Thanks a lot for sharing this post. I really learned a lot.
Hi John,
Thanks for pointing out how sin almost always makes people feel good. That is so true! There are even those who are proud of what they’re doing although they know it’s wrong because they say, “Well, it’s just human.” And they’re right! We’re fallen that’s why we are prone to sin. The Bible says we have becomes slaves to sin. But praise God, there is hope and that is the promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus.
A person who got born again should not feel good anymore about sinning because the Holy Spirit who is residing in him will convict him of sin.
Sin always leads to death, that is, separation from God. The question we always hear people ask is, “Does a person who has truly been born again continue to commit sin?” Until we will be with our Lord Jesus, we will not be perfected, especially so that we are still in the flesh but this should not be our excuse for transgressing God’s law. How then do we avoid sin? By keeping or hiding God’s word in our heart (Psalm 119:11).
Thanks for stopping by!