Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Paul has been proving that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin. Verse 23 is his summary before turning to the remedy: justification by grace through faith in Christ.
What Does Romans 3:23 Mean?
In one sentence: every person, without exception, has sinned and falls short of God's perfect standard. The word "all" levels everyone -- there is no category of people who measure up on their own.
To "come short of the glory of God" is to miss the mark of what we were made for: to reflect God. The verse is not meant to crush but to prepare -- the very next verse announces that we are "justified freely by his grace" (Romans 3:24).
In the Original Language
The Greek "hamartano" (sinned) means to miss the mark, to fall short of the target. "Doxa" (glory) is the radiance and standard of God Himself.
Cross References
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
- Romans 3:24
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way...”
- Isaiah 53:6
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
- Romans 6:23
Application
Let this verse humble you out of self-righteousness and drive you to the grace it sets up -- everyone needs the Savior equally.
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