Translating Romans 3:23: Understanding the Concept of “All Have Sinned”

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12 months ago

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Romans 3:23 is a brief yet profound verse in the Christian Bible, embedded in the Epistle to the Romans, penned by the Apostle Paul. This verse reads, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” in most English translations. As a conservative Protestant Christian, the literal translation philosophy is pivotal, and it is essential to delve deeply into the original language and cultural context to gain an accurate understanding of this text.

The verse in its original language, Koine Greek, reads: “πάντες γὰρ ἥμαρτον καὶ ὑστεροῦνται τῆς δόξης τοῦ θεοῦ.” A word-for-word translation would render “for all for sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Here, every word has significant implications that contribute to our understanding of this verse.

The verse begins with “πάντες γὰρ” (pantes gar), translated as “for all.” The word “πάντες” (pantes), meaning “all,” is unequivocal. It does not limit itself to a certain group, gender, race, or time. It comprehensively includes every human being. The use of “γὰρ” (gar), a postpositive particle often translated as “for,” reveals the cause or reason for a preceding statement. Here, it connects to the argument Paul has been making about both Jews and Gentiles being under sin.

The next part, “ἥμαρτον” (hēmarton), translated “have sinned,” comes from the Greek root “ἁμαρτάνω” (hamartanō), which means to miss the mark or to err. In the biblical context, sin involves any thought, word, or deed that misses the mark of God’s holy standard. The aorist tense of this verb suggests a general past action, implying that all humans have sinned at some point.

This also means that all are sinners based on Romans 5:12, which Paul is about to mention. We have all inherited sin from Adam. This aligns with the theological perspective known as Original Sin, which is indeed a crucial part of Paul’s argument in the book of Romans, specifically in Romans 5:12. This verse states, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”

Here, Paul is conveying that all human beings are inherently sinners due to Adam’s initial disobedience in the Garden of Eden. The phrase “all sinned” suggests that humanity, being in Adam (that is, related to him), was implicated in his disobedience.

When revisiting Romans 3:23, “ἥμαρτον” (hēmarton), we might consider that Paul is not merely suggesting that all humans have individually committed sinful actions but rather that all are sinners in a more profound, inherent sense, tracing back to the first man’s sin.

In this light, the aorist tense of “ἥμαρτον” could imply a collective and inherited past action of sinning, extending back to Adam. This understanding beautifully corresponds with the theology of Original Sin, reaffirming that the human condition is universally tainted by sin since Adam’s fall.

Therefore, Romans 3:23 and Romans 5:12 can be seen as interconnected in Paul’s overarching argument about the universality of sin and the need for salvation through Jesus Christ. It’s an illustration of the intricate tapestry of Paul’s theological argument in the Epistle to the Romans.

Following this, “καὶ ὑστεροῦνται” (kai hysterountai) is rendered as “and fall short.” The conjunction “καὶ” (kai) links the two parts of the sentence. The verb “ὑστερέω” (hystereō) suggests lacking or falling short. Here, in present tense, it indicates an ongoing, continuous state — humanity continually falls short.

The last segment, “τῆς δόξης τοῦ θεοῦ” (tēs doxēs tou theou), translates to “of the glory of God.” The “δόξα” (doxa) means glory, honor, or magnificent splendor, typically used to describe God’s intrinsic, divine essence and supreme worth. The genitive case of both “δόξης” and “θεοῦ” indicates possession – it is the glory that belongs to God.

Therefore, a literal translation, sensitive to the Greek grammatical structure, can be rendered: “For all, indeed, have missed the mark and continually fall short of God’s divine glory.”

This verse succinctly encapsulates the Christian doctrine of total depravity or radical corruption, which underscores that every aspect of a human being is stained by sin, thus failing to live up to God’s perfect standard of holiness. The universality of sin binds humanity in a shared condition of spiritual neediness, leading to a continuous shortfall of God’s glory.

While this verse paints a sobering picture of the human condition, it simultaneously prepares the ground for the presentation of the solution: God’s grace through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It echoes the universality of the offered salvation in Romans 3:24, which follows, “and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

This understanding is fundamental to Protestant Christianity. It reveals our need for a Savior, which is the core message of the Gospel: although we are sinners, God’s grace is abundantly available to all through faith in Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, a meticulous, literal translation of Romans 3:23 magnifies its weight. It emphasizes the universal prevalence of sin and our continual shortfall of God’s glory. However, it also reminds us of our collective eligibility for God’s mercy and grace, a pivotal cornerstone in the Christian faith.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).