Bible Strands
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to a mixed Jewish and Gentile congregation in Rome, having just declared (v. 9) that both groups are "under sin," and is now stating the universal condition that makes the remedy in v. 24 necessary.
The words — ἥμαρτον (hēmarton), aorist active, "have sinned," marks a completed fact; ὑστεροῦνται (husterountai), present passive, "they fall short," marks a continuing state. The pair separates a done deed from an ongoing deficiency.
The thread — Ecclesiastes 7:20 and 1 John 1:8 independently deny the existence of a sinless person; Romans 3:9 states the same universal charge as the premise Paul is now unpacking.
Why it lands — The verse closes every exit: no one can claim to have met God's standard, so the only remaining question is what God does about it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Cross-references
- Ecclesiastes 7:20 Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
- 1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
- Romans 3:9 What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin.
- Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.
- Romans 11:32 For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone.
- Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:12 encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:14 To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Romans 5:2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
- 1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.