Romans 6:23 (ASV)

Passage

For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Nearby Context

Romans 6:21 What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end eternal life.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "gift of God", "wages", "death", "free", "eternal", "life", "christ", and "jesus". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "gift of God" and "wages", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "But now being made free from sin...", giving immediate footing for "gift of God" and "wages". In Romans context, the local focus is righteousness by faith, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and God's covenant faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "gift of God" and "wages" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.