Gr. charisma, the same word previously translated “free gift” (see on ch. 5:15). “Gift” stands in sharp contrast to “wages.” What the Christian receives is represented as a gift of God’s free grace. Even the service and obedience that the justified and reborn believer is able to render to God are not due to his own virtue but are the fruit of the Holy Spirit, whom God has sent to dwell in him. None of us can earn salvation. None of us deserves redemption. We are saved by grace through faith as “the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8).

 See on Matt. 20:15.

 Sin pays its slaves exactly what they have earned. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Eze. 18:4). Since death is here contrasted with eternal life, Paul is referring particularly to eternal death, the “second death” (Rev. 20:6, 14, 15; cf. GC 544; EW 51). In the final destruction, sinners will be treated as they deserve. They have rejected God’s offer of grace and eternal life and will receive the results of their own deliberate choice (see on Rom. 2:6; see DA 763, 764).

 Gr. opsōnia. This is not the common word in the NT for “pay,” “wages,” “reward,” which is misthos (see Luke 10:7; John 4:36; Rom. 4:4; etc., where misthos is used). Opsōnia comes from a word meaning “cooked food,” especially meat or fish, joined to another word meaning “to buy.” Hence it came to mean “provisions,” “allowance,” “ration money,” such as “rations” given to soldiers (see Luke 3:14; 1 Cor. 9:7; 2 Cor. 11:8). Later it was used for wages, or salary, generally. It is possible, though not certain, that Paul is continuing the figure of military service (see on Rom. 6:13).

 The gift of everlasting life, which Adam and Eve forfeited by their transgression (see on ch. 5:12), will be restored to all those who are willing to receive it and prepare themselves for it by devoting their lives to God’s service (Rom. 2:7; 6:22; cf. Rev. 21:4; 22:2, 3).

 Or, “in Jesus Christ” (see on Rom. 6:11; cf. 2 Tim. 1:1).

 Christ is the “resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25). He is the author of life, who gives everlasting life to all who have faith in Him (John 6:40). God’s gift of eternal life is not only bestowed through Christ, but it is in Christ, its abiding source, and can be received only through union with Him, who is “our life” (Col. 3:4; cf. DA 786, 787).