Romans 3:23

What does Romans 3:23 mean?

Paul wrote Romans to the church in Rome, made up of Jewish and Gentile believers. In chapter 3 he concludes that no one is right with God on their own record: Jew and Gentile alike have sinned. But the sentence keeps going, and verse 24 says we are “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”.

How can I apply Romans 3:23 today?

This verse levels everyone. It can soften how you see people you find hard to forgive, since they stand on the same ground you do. It also frees you from pretending to be better than you are: admit where you fall short, then read verse 24 and receive grace as a gift.

In context · Romans 3:21–25

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Topics

Forgiveness · Faith