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Selected Verse: Romans 3:23 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ro 3:23 |
King James |
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
for all have sinned--Though men differ greatly in the nature and extent of their sinfulness, there is absolutely no difference between the best and the worst of men, in the fact that "all have sinned," and so underlie the wrath of God.
and come short of the glory--or "praise"
of God--that is, "have failed to earn His approbation" (compare Joh 12:43, Greek). So the best interpreters. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
For all have sinned - This was the point which he had fully established in the discussion in these chapters.
Have come short - Greek, "Are deficient in regard to;" are lacking, etc. Here it means, that they had failed to obtain, or were destitute of.
The glory of God - The praise or approbation of God. They had sought to be justified, or approved, by God; but all had failed. Their works of the Law had not secured his approbation; and they were therefore under condemnation. The word "glory" (δόξα doxa) is often used in the sense of praise, or approbation, Joh 5:41, Joh 5:44; Joh 7:18; Joh 8:50, Joh 8:54; Joh 12:43. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
sinned
Sin, Summary:
The literal meanings of the Hebrew, and (Greek, "hamartanō", "sin," "sinner", etc), disclose the true nature of sin in its manifold manifestations.
Sin is transgression, an overstepping of the law, the divine boundary between good and evil (Psa 51:1); (Luk 15:29); iniquity, an act inherently wrong, whether expressly forbidden or not; error, a departure from right; (Psa 51:9); (Rom 3:23); missing the mark, a failure to meet the divine standard; trespass, the intrusion of self-will into the sphere of divine authority (Eph 2:1); lawlessness, or spiritual anarchy (Ti1 1:9); unbelief, or an insult to the divine veracity (Joh 16:9).
Sin originated with Satan (Isa 14:12-14); entered the world through Adam (Rom 5:12); was, and is, universal, Christ alone excepted; (Rom 3:23); (Pe1 2:22); incurs the penalties of spiritual and physical death; (Gen 2:17); (Gen 3:19); (Eze 18:4); (Eze 18:20); (Rom 6:23) and has no remedy but in the sacrificial death of Christ; (Heb 9:26); (Act 4:12) availed of by faith (Act 13:38); (Act 13:39).
Sin may be summarized as threefold:
An act, the violation of, or want of obedience to the revealed will of God;
A state, absence of righteousness;
A nature, enmity toward God. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Have sinned (ἥμαρτον)
Aorist tense: sinned, looking back to a thing definitely past - the historic occurrence of sin.
And come short (ὑστεροῦνται)
Rev., fall short: The present tense. The A.V. leaves it uncertain whether the present or the perfect have come is intended. They sinned, and therefore they are lacking. See on Luk 15:14. The word is not merely equivalent to they are wanting in, but implies want under the aspect of shortcoming.
The glory of God (τῆς δόξης τοῦ Θεοῦ)
Interpretations vary greatly. The glory of personal righteousness; that righteousness which God judges to be glory; the image of God in man; the glorying or boasting of righteousness before God; the approbation of God; the state of future glory.
The dominant meanings of δόξα in classical Greek are notion, opinion, conjecture, repute. See on Rev 1:6. In biblical usage: 1. Recognition, honor, Phi 1:11; Pe1 1:7. It is joined with τιμή honor, Ti1 1:17; Heb 2:7, Heb 2:9; Pe2 1:17. Opposed to ἀτιμὶα dishonor, Co1 11:14, Co1 11:15; Co1 15:43; Co2 6:8. With ζητέω to seek, Th1 2:6; Joh 5:44; Joh 7:18. With λαμβάνω to receive, Joh 5:41, Joh 5:44. With δίδωμι to give, Luk 17:18; Joh 9:24. In the ascriptive phrase glory be to, Luk 2:14, and ascriptions in the Epistles. Compare Luk 14:10. 2. The glorious appearance which attracts the eye, Mat 4:8; Luk 4:6; Luk 12:27. Hence parallel with εἰκών image; μορφή form; ὁμοίωμα likeness; εἶδος appearance, figure, Rom 1:23; Psa 17:15; Num 12:8.
The glory of God is used of the aggregate of the divine attributes and coincides with His self-revelation, Exo 33:22; compare πρόσωπον face, Exo 33:23. Hence the idea is prominent in the redemptive revelation (Isa 60:3; Rom 6:4; Rom 5:2). It expresses the form in which God reveals Himself in the economy of salvation (Rom 9:23; Ti1 1:11; Eph 1:12). It is the means by which the redemptive work is carried on; for instance, in calling, Pe2 1:3; in raising up Christ and believers with Him to newness of life, Rom 6:4; in imparting strength to believers, Eph 3:16; Col 1:11; as the goal of Christian hope, Rom 5:2; Rom 8:18, Rom 8:21; Tit 2:13. It appears prominently in the work of Christ - the outraying of the Father's glory (Heb 1:3), especially in John. See Joh 1:14; Joh 2:11, etc.
The sense of the phrase here is: they are coming short of the honor or approbation which God bestows. The point under discussion is the want of righteousness. Unbelievers, or mere legalists, do not approve themselves before God by the righteousness which is of the law. They come short of the approbation which is extended only to those who are justified by faith. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| For all have sinned - In Adam, and in their own persons; by a sinful nature, sinful tempers, and sinful actions. And are fallen short of the glory of God - The supreme end of man; short of his image on earth, and the enjoyment of him in heaven. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
For all have sinned : - And consequently are equally helpless and guilty; and, as God is no respecter of persons, all human creatures being equally his offspring, and there being no reason why one should be preferred before another, therefore his endless mercy has embraced All.
And come short of the glory of God - και υστερουνται της δοξης του θεου These words have been variously translated. Failed of attaining the glory of God: Have not been able to bring glory to God: Stand in need of the glory, that is, the mercy of God. The simple meaning seems to be this: that all have sinned, and none can enjoy God's glory but they that are holy; consequently both Jews and Gentiles have failed in their endeavors to attain it, as, by the works of any law, no human being can be justified. |
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
41 I receive not honour from men.
39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.
22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
41 I receive not honour from men.
18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.