Romans 6:23 (KJV): meaning and how to memorise it

What Romans 6:23 says

Sin pays its wages, which is death. But eternal life is a gift of God through Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:23 in context

²⁰For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. ²¹What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. ²²But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. ²³For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6, verses 20–23. Read the whole chapter with John Brown’s notes in the Self-Interpreting Bible.

Romans 6:23 in the catechisms

The Reformation catechisms and confessions cite Romans 6:23 6 times as a proof text.

WSC 19
What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?
WLC 27
What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?
WLC 28
What are the punishments of sin in this world?
WLC 84
Shall all men die?
WCF 6.6
Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God, and contrary thereunto, doth, in its own nature, bring guilt upon the sinner, whereby he…
WCF 15.4
As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation, so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.

How to memorise Romans 6:23

Hearers breaks the verse into clauses and teaches each clause in four steps. Then it brings each clause back just before you forget it.

01
Read
Read the verse with the clauses marked. Listen to it read aloud.
02
Trace
Type the first letter of each word, with the words shown faintly.
03
Fade
Half of the words go. Type the text again, and fill the gaps from memory.
04
Recall
All the words go. Type it or say it aloud. Each clause gets its own grade and its own review date.