For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
What does Romans 3:23 mean?
Must guilty man remain under wrath? Is the wound for ever incurable?
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Romans 3:21-25 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; For all have sinned - This was the point which he had fully established in the discussion in these chapters. Have come short - Greek, "Are deficient in regard to;" are lacking, etc. Here it means, that they had failed to obtain, or were destitute of. The glory of God - The praise or approbation of God. They had sought to be justified, or approved, by God; but all had failed. Their works of the Law had not secured his approbation; and they were therefore under condemnation.
Context in Romans 3
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Romans 3 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as gospel and the universal problem of sin. Romans is Paul’s fullest sustained exposition of sin, grace, righteousness, faith, Israel, the Spirit, and transformed life in Christ. Read this chapter with the wider themes of justification, grace, and faith in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Passages on the nature of sin, its consequences, God's judgment, repentance, and the way of forgiveness through Christ.
Passages on trusting God, receiving Christ, persevering without sight, and the relation between faith and lived obedience.
Key passages on God's unmerited favour, the grace of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, and how grace transforms the way believers live.