Tag: Eternal Life

TODAY’S DAILY BIBLE VERSE: There is Hope

September 4, 2025

Verse
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Verse Context

Romans 6:23 stands as one of the most concise summaries of the gospel in all of Scripture, setting two eternal destinies in sharp contrast. Paul has been teaching throughout the chapter that believers are no longer slaves to sin but have become servants of righteousness (Romans 6:16–22). He concludes with this summary: sin pays wages, but God gives a gift.

The first half of the verse declares: “For the wages of sin is death.” Just as a laborer receives payment for his work, so sin faithfully pays its servants, but its wage is always death. This includes physical death, spiritual separation from God, and ultimately eternal judgment. James confirms this pattern: “15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:15). Paul already made this point earlier in Romans: “12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). Death is the unavoidable payment for sin.

The second half of the verse offers glorious contrast: “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Unlike wages, which are earned, eternal life is a free gift. Paul makes this same truth clear in Ephesians: “8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). This gift is secured only in Christ, who said: “6I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Commentators across the centuries emphasize this contrast. John MacArthur (1939–2025, Reformed Baptist) wrote: “Sin promises freedom but pays with death. God promises life, and gives it freely in Christ. These two masters, sin and God, offer only two destinies — death or eternal life.” Voddie Baucham (1969– , Reformed Baptist) echoes the same: “You cannot serve sin and receive life. The wages are death. But those who are in Christ receive not what they’ve earned, but what He has earned for them.”

Historic voices agree. Augustine (354–430, early church father) explained: “For death is owed by merit of sin, but life is given by grace of God.” Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892, Baptist) proclaimed: “It is a blessed thing to receive what you have not earned, and that is what salvation is. You deserve death, yet you are given life, and that life eternal, in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 6:23, then, is the gospel in miniature. Every person is either receiving the wages they have earned, death, or accepting the gift they could never earn, eternal life through Christ. There is no neutral ground.

Broader Context

Romans 6 is Paul’s great chapter on sanctification, the outworking of salvation in the believer’s daily life. After establishing in Romans 5 that justification comes by faith alone, Paul anticipates an objection: if salvation is by grace, does that mean Christians are free to continue in sin? He answers with an emphatic “God forbid” (Romans 6:2). Believers, Paul says, have been united with Christ in His death and resurrection, and therefore they should no longer live as slaves to sin.

Through Romans 6:16–22, Paul contrasts two masters: sin and righteousness. Everyone serves one or the other. Sin enslaves and leads to shame and ultimately death, while righteousness, empowered by God, leads to holiness and eternal life. Verse 23 is the climactic conclusion: “23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The imagery of “wages” emphasizes certainty: just as a soldier or laborer receives guaranteed payment, sin also pays, but its currency is death. Revelation 20:14–15 confirms the finality of that payment: “14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” This is the ultimate wage of sin apart from Christ.

By contrast, Paul uses the word “gift” (Greek charisma) to underscore that eternal life is not earned. Titus 3:5 reinforces this: “5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Eternal life flows entirely from God’s mercy, secured “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” He is both the source and mediator of life, as He Himself said in John 10:28: “28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

Theologians have consistently highlighted this verse’s stark contrast. John MacArthur (1939–2025, Reformed Baptist) summarized it this way: “Every human being will receive one of two things: either the justly earned wages of sin, which is eternal death, or the graciously given gift of God, which is eternal life.” Voddie Baucham (1969– , Reformed Baptist) presses the exclusivity of the gospel: “There aren’t three roads, only two. You’re either earning death or receiving life, and the difference is Christ.”

Even historic voices saw this verse as the fulcrum of Paul’s teaching. Augustine (354–430) used Romans 6:23 to defend the doctrine of grace against those who claimed salvation could be earned: “If it is wages, it is owed; if it is a gift, it is freely given. Thus life eternal is not owed to works, but given by grace.” Spurgeon (1834–1892) called it “the sum of the whole gospel in a single verse.”

So in its broader context, Romans 6:23 is not a detached proverb but the capstone of Paul’s argument: everyone is a servant, either of sin or of God. Sin pays its wage, death. God gives His gift, eternal life. One is earned, the other freely bestowed. And no one will escape choosing one or the other.

Application

Appreciating God’s Greatness
Romans 6:23 magnifies the justice and mercy of God side by side. His justice is displayed in that sin always pays its wage, death. His mercy is displayed in that He gives what no man could ever earn, eternal life through Christ. Matthew Henry (1662–1714, Presbyterian) explains: “Sin is the work, and death is the wages; but eternal life is the gift of God. Death is the due of sin; life is the undeserved gift of grace.” This dual reality shows God’s greatness: He never compromises His holiness, yet He freely offers salvation.

For the Believer
For Christians, Romans 6:23 provides both a warning and a comfort. The warning: sin still brings death and destruction if indulged. John Gill (1697–1771, Reformed Baptist) wrote: “Though freed from the curse and condemnation of sin, the believer is not freed from its wages in the body; yet eternal death is no more his lot, for life is secured in Christ.” In other words, sin still brings consequences, but eternal condemnation is no longer ours.

The comfort: eternal life is secure in Christ, not in our performance. Wayne Grudem (1948– , Evangelical systematic theologian) highlights that eternal life is more than endless existence; it is a quality of life lived in fellowship with God, beginning now and perfected in eternity (Systematic Theology). This means believers already taste that gift, even as they await its fullness.

Call to Action: Examine your life honestly this week. Are there sins you’re treating casually? Remember, even forgiven sin still carries wages. Turn from them quickly, and rejoice that eternal death is no longer your end, for your life is hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3).

For the Unbeliever
For those outside of Christ, Romans 6:23 is both a warning and an invitation. Sin will pay you what you have earned, death. But God freely offers what you cannot earn, life in Christ. N. T. Wright (1948– , Anglican) notes that Paul here makes it impossible to remain neutral: “All humanity stands at the crossroads: continue in Adam and reap death, or belong to Christ and receive life.” The choice is unavoidable.

Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892, Baptist) pressed this urgency in his preaching: “Oh, the freeness of the gift! Yet the narrowness of the way! The wages are many, the gift is to few. Cling to Christ, and the gift is yours.”

For the unbeliever, then, the message is plain: you cannot buy life, you cannot earn it, and you cannot deserve it. But you can receive it, if you will humble yourself and come to Christ.

Final Encouragement

Romans 6:23 leaves no middle ground. Sin pays what it owes, death. God gives what only He can, eternal life through Christ. Every person is headed toward one of these two ends. For the believer, this verse is a reminder of the grace that saved you and the security you have in Christ. For the unbeliever, it is a merciful warning and a gracious invitation. The wages of sin need not be your story, the gift of God can be yours today.

Our Prayer for You

Gracious Lord, we thank You that though the wages of sin is death, You have freely given eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Strengthen believers to walk in righteousness and turn quickly from sin, remembering the price that was paid. For those who do not yet know You, may their eyes be opened to the seriousness of sin and the beauty of Your gift. Let none who read these words choose death when life in Christ is offered. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing

If you’ve found these daily verses encouraging, enlightening, or fruitful, please consider helping us spread the truth and light of God’s Word by subscribing to the blog and YouTube channels and liking and following the Facebook page. Most of all, share Believers of Biblical Truth and our links with others who may need the sermons and daily teachings just as much as we do.

You are loved, so much in fact, that we want you to know and be Believers of Biblical Truth.

Shalom Shalom.

TODAY’S DAILY BIBLE VERSE

September 3, 2025

Verse
Romans 5:8 – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Verse Context
In this single, powerful sentence, Paul captures the heart of the gospel. The word “commendeth” means to demonstrate, to prove, or to show clearly. God’s love is not an abstract concept or a hidden feeling; it is made visible and undeniable through action. The greatest proof of that love is that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”


The timing here is vital. Christ did not die for us once we became worthy, or once we cleaned ourselves up, or once we promised to do better. He died for us while we were still in our sin. If we truly had the ability to clean ourselves up, Jesus would not have needed to come at all. His death on the cross would have been unnecessary, because we could have chosen to live without sin. But Scripture shows us the opposite — that no one is righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10). We needed a Savior, and only Christ could accomplish what we never could.


Please think about how easy it is for us as humans to withhold love from one another. Political divides between Republicans and Democrats, racial and ethnic tensions, differences in geography, color, age, gender, socioeconomic status, or even criminal behavior, all of these so often give birth to hatred in our hearts. And as the end times draw nearer, humanity seems more hateful than ever. Yes, we may rightly uphold justice and the punishment of crimes, but we must be careful: too often our sense of justice exposes the venom and wickedness in our own hearts. Do we pray only for people with certain sicknesses, or show compassion only to those caught in certain kinds of sin? Do we believe only certain people are worthy of being saved?


Scripture is clear: Jesus died for all sinners, of which you and I are one. There are no exceptions. I for one am thankful for that. I am certain there is at least one person out in this world who would think me unworthy, what about you. I praise God that He is the one incharge of morality and grace and mercy. There is no sin so filthy that His blood cannot cleanse it, and no sinner so far gone that Christ’s sacrifice cannot reach them. God choses who to turnover to a rebrobate mind, and when enough is enough. Not us. So why does man declare that any sin is beyond the reach of Jesus’ cross? Why does one man want love and forgiveness when it comes to his sin, but condemns others for theirs. Please note that I am not talking about talking about sin. Many think that talking about sin is condemning one another. We are supposed to do that. What we are not to do is decide that someone is not worth talking to because of that sin. Paul’s words remind us that God’s love is wider, deeper, and stronger than human prejudice or hatred. Where man sets limits, God offers redemption. Where man says, “not you,” Christ says, “I died for you.”

Broader Context
Romans chapter 5 builds upon Paul’s argument that justification comes by faith alone, apart from works. Earlier in the chapter, Paul writes: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). This peace is not mere tranquility but reconciliation with a holy God, who once stood against us in judgment. Into this framework, Romans 5:8 bursts forth as the greatest demonstration of God’s love: He gave His Son to die for us while we were yet sinners.

This truth overturns every human instinct about love. Human love is often conditional, extended only to those we find worthy or likable. But God’s love is sovereign, unconditional, and proactive. The apostle John affirms this: “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Paul reinforces it again in Ephesians: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)” (Ephesians 2:4–5). These passages echo Romans 5:8, God acted for our salvation when we were helpless, undeserving, and spiritually dead.

Theologians across centuries have emphasized this point. John MacArthur (1939-2025, Reformed Baptist) explains that Paul’s argument in Romans 5 highlights the sheer undeserved nature of divine love: “God’s love is not a response to human merit, but an expression of His own character. Christ died for sinners, not for those who had anything to offer” (MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Romans 1–8). Voddie Baucham (b. 1969, Reformed Baptist) likewise underscores that this verse destroys pride and self-righteousness: “You didn’t clean yourself up and then bring yourself to Christ. You were dead, lost, and hostile. He came for you when you had nothing to give Him” (sermon, The Centrality of the Cross).

Historic voices echo the same. Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892, Baptist) marveled at the timing of God’s love: “Christ did not die for us when we were friends, but enemies; not when we were repentant, but while we were sinners.” Augustine (354–430, early church father) reflected that this verse demonstrates God’s grace over human ability: “For if we could have justified ourselves, Christ died in vain.”

Thus, Romans 5:8 is not an isolated thought, it is the linchpin in Paul’s argument that justification, reconciliation, and salvation are all of grace. It prepares the reader for the assurance Paul declares later in the chapter: “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10). God’s love is proven at the cross and secured in the ongoing life of Christ.

Final Encouragement
Romans 5:8 assures us that God’s love is not conditional, shallow, or temporary. It was proven at the cross, when Christ died for us at our worst. If He loved us then, we can be certain He loves us now. This truth has been faithfully proclaimed by many through the centuries, from Augustine to Spurgeon, and in our own time by men like John MacArthur (1939–2025, Reformed Baptist) and Voddie Baucham (1969– , Reformed Baptist). MacArthur, who went home to be with the Lord in July 2025, reminded us often that the gospel’s power is rooted in God’s sovereign love, not in our worthiness. This enduring truth should strengthen our faith: the same love that reached us in our sin will carry us through to glory.

Our Prayer for You
Father, we thank You for demonstrating Your love at the cross of Christ. Thank You that Jesus died for us while we were still sinners, when we had nothing to offer You. Strengthen believers with this assurance, that nothing can separate us from Your love in Christ Jesus. For those who do not yet believe, open their eyes to see that they do not need to earn Your love, but simply receive it through faith. May the truth of Romans 5:8 comfort, convict, and transform hearts today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing
If you’ve found these daily verses encouraging, enlightening, or fruitful, please consider helping us spread the truth and light of God’s Word by subscribing to the blog and YouTube channels and liking and following the Facebook page. Most of all, share Believers of Biblical Truth and our links with others who may need the sermons and daily teachings just as much as we do.

You are loved, so much in fact, that we want you to know and be Believers of Biblical Truth.


Shalom Shalom.