Romans 6:23

Wages. Greek opsonia. This is not the common word in the New Testament for “pay,” “wages,” “reward,” which is misthos (see Luke 10:7; John 4:36; Romans 4:4; etc., where misthos is used). Opsonia comes from a word meaning “cooked food,” especially meat or fish, joined to another word meaning “to buy.” Hence it came to mean “provisions,” “allowance,” “ration money,” such as “rations” given to soldiers (see Luke 3:14; 1 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 11:8). Later it was used for wages, or salary, generally. It is possible, though not certain, that Paul is continuing the figure of military service (see on Romans 6:13).

Death. Sin pays its slaves exactly what they have earned. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). Since death is here contrasted with eternal life, Paul is referring particularly to eternal death, the “second death” (Revelation 20:6, 14, 15; cf. Great Controversy, p. 544; Early Writings, p. 51). In the final destruction, sinners will be treated as they deserve. They have rejected God’s offer of grace and eternal life and will receive the results of their own deliberate choice (see on Romans 2:6; see Desire of Ages, pp. 763, 764).

Gift. Greek charisma, the same word previously translated “free gift” (see on Romans 5:15). “Gift” stands in sharp contrast to “wages.” What the Christian receives is represented as a gift of God’s free grace. Even the service and obedience that the justified and reborn believer is able to render to God are not due to his own virtue but are the fruit of the Holy Spirit, whom God has sent to dwell in him. None of us can earn salvation. None of us deserves redemption. We are saved by grace through faith as “the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). See on Matthew 20:15.

Eternal life. The gift of everlasting life, which Adam and Eve forfeited by their transgression (see on Romans 5:12), will be restored to all those who are willing to receive it and prepare themselves for it by devoting their lives to God’s service (Romans 2:7; 6:22; cf. Revelation 21:4; 22:2, 3).

Through Jesus Christ. Or, “in Jesus Christ” (see on Romans 6:11; cf. 2 Timothy 1:1).

Christ is the “resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25). He is the author of life, who gives everlasting life to all who have faith in Him (John 6:40). God’s gift of eternal life is not only bestowed through Christ, but it is in Christ, its abiding source, and can be received only through union with Him, who is “our life” (Colossians 3:4; cf. Desire of Ages, pp. 786, 787).