Verse of the Day for Saturday, April 13, 2024

 

Verse of the Day
Saturday, April 13, 2024

Romans 3:23-24

23 Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:23-24, a passage from the New Testament, is written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Rome. This segment forms a part of Paul's elaborate argument on sin and salvation, key themes in Christian theology. In this context, Paul addresses both Jews and Gentiles, underscoring the universality of sin and the inclusiveness of God's grace.

Verse 23: "Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

• This verse highlights the universal nature of sin. According to Paul, every human being, regardless of their moral or religious standing, has sinned. Sin is here understood as failing to meet the standards of God's glory. The concept of 'falling short' implies a continual condition rather than a one-time event.

• The phrase 'glory of God' can be seen as a reference to the ideal state of human existence intended by God, often associated with perfection and holiness.

Verse 24: "they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"

• This verse shifts the focus from the problem of sin to the solution provided by God. The term 'justified' implies being made right or righteous in the sight of God. It denotes a legal acquittal, where humans, who are guilty of sin, are declared righteous.

• The justification is described as being 'by his grace'. Grace here is the unmerited favor of God, highlighting that salvation is a gift, not earned by human efforts or merits.

• The phrase 'through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus' points to the means of this justification. Redemption is a term borrowed from the marketplace, referring to the act of buying back something. In Christian theology, it signifies Christ's act of saving humans by paying the price for their sins through his death and resurrection.

Overall, these verses encapsulate the core Christian belief in the universality of sin and the universal availability of salvation through Jesus Christ, offered as a gift of grace from God. It emphasizes the idea that salvation cannot be achieved through human efforts or adherence to the law but is a divine gift made possible through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
Click on the image to reveal the meaning and insights of this verse…