Systematic Theology: A 7-Day Crash CourseCampione

Sin: Leading to Death

“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v. 23). Note three contrasts. First, people serve one of two masters—sin or God. Second, the outcome of their service is death or eternal life. Third, people reach this outcome either through “wages” earned by merit or through a “free gift” accepted by faith.

When people sow sin, they reap death in all its dimensions (v. 21). While we will all die physically, we were all born spiritually dead, and those who do not know Christ die spiritually forever in hell (the second death). But thanks be to God for his gift of eternal life to all who trust Christ for salvation! They gain eternal life now and will reign with him in resurrection bodies forever.

Theology for Life—It is a stark spiritual reality that the “wages of sin is death.” We must warn those whose lives are given over to sin, regardless of their profession of faith.