Paul’s summary is blunt: “All have sinned and are lacking the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23, AT). First, let’s notice what Paul does not say, even though he tends to be misread on this point. Paul does not say, “All have sinned and fall short of God’s perfect standard for holiness,” nor does he say, “All have sinned and fall short of God’s just requirements of the law.” Humans do need rescue because they fall short of God’s perfect moral standard and his just requirements, but that isn’t Paul’s precise point here. Paul keeps a God’s-eye view of the salvation problem, seeing how sin is disrupting
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