Romans 3:23-25
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "fall short of the glory of God" doesn't just mean failing to achieve personal glory; it signifies a fundamental missing of the mark in reflecting God's own glory, which is what humanity was originally made to do. This isn't about missing out on future glory, but a present deficiency in embodying God's character and purpose for us.
Paul has just dismantled the idea that any human effort or adherence to the Law can make someone right with God, showing how both Jews and Gentiles fall short. He's establishing a universal problem: everyone is under the power of sin, leading directly into this verse which states the universal consequence of that reality. This sets the stage for the amazing solution he's about to reveal in the following verses.
Paul doesn't mince words: 'all have sinned.' What does this sweeping statement really mean for every single person, regardless of background or behavior?
Paul's declaration in Romans 3:23, 'for all have sinned,' isn't just a theological concept; it's a description of a universal human reality.
A Historical Fact
The Greek word used for 'sinned' points to a completed action in the past that resulted in our current state. It's not just about individual mistakes, but about a condition inherited from our shared human history, stemming from the very first disobedience. This means sin isn't an occasional slip-up but a fundamental aspect of who we are apart from God's intervention.
The Result: Falling Short
The second part of the verse, 'and fall short of the glory of God,' describes the consequence. The word 'fall short' implies missing a mark or failing to attain something. In this context, it means we miss the standard of God's perfect glory, His flawless character, and the purpose for which we were created – to reflect His image and honor Him perfectly.
Paul says we 'fall short of the glory of God.' What exactly is this 'glory,' and why is it the ultimate standard we miss?
The 'glory of God' is a rich concept, and in Romans 3:23, it encompasses several interconnected ideas:
God's Presence and Radiance
At its core, God's glory is the visible manifestation of His presence, His perfect holiness, and His intrinsic worth. It's the sheer weight and brilliance of His being. Think of it as the ultimate, unapproachable standard of perfection and beauty.
God's Approval and Honor
It also refers to the honor, praise, and approval that come from God. This isn't about seeking human applause, but about aligning with God's perfect nature and receiving His positive regard. It's the state of being in right standing with the Creator.
Understand the original words
hēmarton · Greek Verb
To miss the mark; to fall short of God’s standard of holiness and perfection. It is a rebellion against God's law and a corruption of human nature.
doxa · Greek Noun
The manifestation of God's presence, majesty, and character. For humans, it refers to the state of perfection originally intended for creation that was forfeited through sin.
dikaioumenoi · Greek Verb (participle)
A legal term denoting God's act of declaring a sinner righteous. It is a judicial verdict based on the finished work of Christ, not on the individual's merit or works.
charis · Greek Noun
The unmerited, favor of God toward the undeserving. It is the basis for salvation, provided freely by God's own initiative and love.
This passage describes the very first instance of humanity sinning by disobeying God's command, directly illustrating the universal nature of sin that Romans 3:23 speaks of.
Psalm 51:5This Psalm reveals David's deep awareness of his inherited sinful nature, aligning with the 'all have sinned' aspect of Romans 3:23 by showing sin's presence from birth.
1 Kings 8:46This verse acknowledges that 'no one is sinless' and that all fall short of God's expectations, echoing the universality of sin and its consequence of falling short of God's glory.
Ecclesiastes 7:20This verse states, 'Surely there is no one on earth who does righteous things all the time and never sins,' directly supporting the idea that all have sinned and thus fall short of God's perfect standard.
John 3:16This beloved verse presents the divine solution to the problem of universal sin described in Romans 3:23, showing that God's love led Him to provide a way for those who fall short to receive eternal life.
meyerRomans 3:23: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
Romans 3:23 . Ἥμαρτον ] The sinning of every man is presented as a historical fact of the past, whereby the sinful state is produced. The perfect would designate it as a completed subsisting fact. Calvin, moreover, properly remarks that according to Paul there is nulla justitia “nisi perfecta et absoluta,” and “si verum esset, nos partim operibus justificari, partim Dei gratia, non valeret hoc Pauli argumentum.” Luther aptl…
ellicottRomans 3:23: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
(23) All have sinned and come short. —Strictly, all sinned; the Apostle looking back upon an act done in past time under the old legal dispensation, without immediate reference to the present: he then goes on to say that the result of that act (as distinct from the act itself) continues on into the present. The result is that mankind, in a body, as he now sees them, and before they come within the range of the new Christian…
The phrase "fall short of the glory of God" doesn't just mean failing to achieve personal glory; it signifies a fundamental missing of the mark in reflecting God's own glory, which is what humanity was originally made to do. This isn't about missing out on future glory, but a present deficiency in embodying God's character and purpose for us.
Paul has just dismantled the idea that any human effort or adherence to the Law can make someone right with God, showing how both Jews and Gentiles fall short. He's establishing a universal problem: everyone is under the power of sin, leading directly into this verse which states the universal consequence of that reality. This sets the stage for the amazing solution he's about to reveal in the following verses.
Paul has just dismantled the idea that any human effort or adherence to the Law can make someone right with God, showing how both Jews and Gentiles fall short. He's establishing a universal problem: everyone is under the power of sin, leading directly into this verse which states the universal consequence of that reality. This sets the stage for the amazing solution he's about to reveal in the following verses.
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The Purpose of Our Existence
We were created to reflect this glory, to be vessels that display His character and honor Him. When the commentaries speak of 'coming short' of this glory, it means we have failed to achieve this God-intended purpose. We fall short of reflecting His perfect image and experiencing His fellowship as designed.
apolytrōsis · Greek Noun
The act of buying back or setting free from slavery or captivity through the payment of a price. Biblically, it refers to deliverance from the bondage of sin and its penalty via the death of Christ.
hilastērion · Greek Noun
A sacrificial term referring to the removal of wrath through the offering of a substitute. It denotes the satisfaction of God's holy justice through the blood of Christ.
anochē · Greek Noun
The patient delay of judgment or restraint of divine wrath. God demonstrates this quality by not immediately punishing sin, as seen in His historical dealings with humanity prior to the cross.
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to sho…" — The phrase "fall short of the glory of God" doesn't just mean failing to achieve personal glory; it signifies a fundamental missing of the mark in reflecting God's own glory, which is what humanity w…
