Romans · Chapter 6
Romans 6:23 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
KJV · King James Version
"For1063 the wages3800 of sin266 is death2288; but1161 the gift5486 of God2316 is eternal166 life2222 through1722 Jesus2424 Christ5547 our2257 Lord2962."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses through, while the WEB renders these as free. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Romans 6:23 in Romans 6
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Romans 6:23 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Romans 6. Read the full chapter →
- v.21 What 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.
- v.22 But now, being made free from sin, and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life.
- v.23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Book background
About the Book of Romans
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Pauline epistle
- Author
- Paul the apostle
- Date written
- c. 57 AD
- Audience
- The Christians at Rome (whom Paul had not yet met)
- Chapters
- 16
Romans is Paul's most systematic exposition of the gospel — that all have sinned, are justified freely by faith in Christ apart from works, are united with Him in His death and resurrection, and live by the Spirit in confident assurance ("nothing can separate us from the love of God" — chapter 8). It has transformed every major Christian revival in history.
Setting: Written from Corinth on the eve of Paul's final trip to Jerusalem.
Key themes: righteousness · faith · justification · sin · gospel
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Romans 6:23
Romans 6:23 contains 21 words in 2 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
For the wages of sin is death
FTWOSI
- 2
but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
BTFGOG
Frequently asked
FAQ about Romans 6:23
What does Romans 6:23 say?
Romans 6:23 reads: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." — from the New Testament, Romans (Pauline epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Romans 6:23 in?
Romans 6:23 is in the book of Romans, traditionally attributed to Paul the apostle and written around c. 57 AD. Romans is pauline epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to The Christians at Rome (whom Paul had not yet met). Best known for "the just shall live by faith" and Romans 8:28.
What is the difference between Romans 6:23 in WEB and KJV?
Romans 6:23 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "For1063 the wages3800 of sin266 is death2288; but1161 the gift5486 of God2316 is eternal166 life2222 through1722 Jesus2424 Christ5547 our2257 Lord2962.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Romans 6:23?
Romans 6:23 is 21 words in the WEB translation (97 characters), broken into 2 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 6 seconds.
How can I memorise Romans 6:23?
To memorise Romans 6:23, split it into its 2 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Romans 6:23 matter in Romans?
Romans is Paul's most systematic exposition of the gospel — that all have sinned, are justified freely by faith in Christ apart from works, are united with Him in His death and resurrection, and live by the Spirit in confident assurance ("nothing can separate us from the love of God" — chapter 8). It has transformed every major Christian revival in history. Romans 6:23 sits within this larger story — Romans as a whole emphasises righteousness, faith, justification.
How can I apply Romans 6:23 today?
Many readers use Romans 6:23 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Romans 6:23 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
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10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
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Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a latter end.”
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Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
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1 John 4:8
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not pr…”
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Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and no…”
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Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”
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More featured verses in Romans
Browse Romans → Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
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Romans 5:8
“But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
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Romans 8:31
“What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
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Romans 8:38
“For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,”
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