Romans 3:23 (WEB)
for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
As quoted in the map (KJV)
Romans 3:23 (KJV)
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Key words
- πάντες ἥμαρτονpantes hēmarton · Greek
- 'all have sinned' — Paul's summary of the universal need for Christ.
- ὑστεροῦνται τῆς δόξηςhysterountai tēs doxēs · Greek
- 'come short of the glory' — fall short of the glory of God.
Why it matters
Paul's statement that all have sinned is the standard objection to Mary's sinlessness. Pitre grants its force and then notes that 'all' in such statements is a generalisation with recognised exceptions — Jesus himself, infants, and, on the Fathers' typological reading, the New Eve whom God preserved from sin for her role. Mary is saved by Christ like everyone else, but in advance, by prevention rather than cure.