All Means All

Read

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Think

There’s a subtle lie that creeps into almost every human heart: the idea that sin is a problem other people have more than we do. Sure, we make mistakes. But not like them. We clean up well. We say the right things. We avoid the obvious messes. So we start to think of sin as something reserved for the worst cases—the headlines, the scandals, the people who clearly crossed a line. But Paul doesn’t give us that option.

“All have sinned.” That sentence is simple, but it doesn’t leave room for exceptions. Not one person stands outside its reach. The moral and the immoral. The religious and the rebellious. The polished and the visibly broken. It includes the child who stole candy, the teenager who lied to fit in, the parent who held a grudge, and the leader who let pride shape their decisions. It includes you. It includes me.

The word “sinned” in this verse isn’t just about bad behavior. It’s a term that means “to miss the mark.” It’s an archery image. You can aim well, shoot straight, and still fall short. That is the condition of every human heart apart from grace. We were made to reflect the glory of God, to love like he loves, live like he calls us to, and walk in step with his holiness. But we missed. And not just by inches. By miles.

Falling short of God’s glory means more than breaking rules. It means failing to live out the very purpose we were created for. It means settling for lesser loves, trusting in lesser gods, and trying to build our own kingdoms instead of seeking his. Sin is not just a list of wrongs. It is a deep rupture in our relationship with God. And no amount of effort, comparison, or denial can fix it.

But here’s what makes this verse so powerful: it’s not trying to shame us. It’s trying to equalize us. Paul is laying the groundwork for grace by making sure no one stands above it. Because if all have sinned, then all are in need. And if all are in need, then none of us can boast. The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

We live in a world obsessed with comparison. We measure ourselves against others to feel better or worse about our standing. But sin doesn’t work like a grading curve. God isn’t weighing us against our neighbors. He is holding us to the standard of his glory. And compared to that, we all fall short.

Think of it like this: imagine a group of people trying to swim from California to Hawaii. Some might make it farther than others. A few might be strong swimmers. But none of them will reach the shore. The point is not who swam the farthest. The point is that no one can make it on their own. That’s Paul’s argument. Some people might look cleaner than others on the outside. But inside, we all carry the same brokenness.

That reality could lead us to despair. But Paul never leaves us in that place. This verse sits in the middle of a sentence, not at the end of a paragraph. The very next words begin to turn the story. Those who fall short can still be justified. Those who miss the mark can still be redeemed. But the rescue only makes sense when we recognize the need.

The beauty of this truth is that it opens the door for everyone. You don’t have to pretend you have it all together. You don’t have to fix yourself first. You don’t have to carry shame quietly while comparing your highlight reel to someone else’s. All have sinned. Which means all are invited.

It’s been said that the church is not a museum for saints. It’s a hospital for sinners. And this verse is our admission slip. The moment we stop pretending and start confessing is the moment we begin to receive the grace that actually changes us.

But that kind of honesty doesn’t come easy. We like categories. We like feeling better than others. We like stories where we are the hero. But the gospel only begins when we realize we are not. We are the ones in need. We are the ones who missed the mark. We are the ones being rescued. And when we own that truth, the grace of God stops feeling like a theological idea and starts feeling like a lifeline.

This verse is short, but it slices through every defense we try to build. It silences pride. It levels comparison. It removes any illusion of being good enough on our own. And at the same time, it lifts our eyes. Because if all have sinned, then all can be saved. No one is too far. No one is too dirty. No one is too broken. The door is wide open.

So stop trying to prove you’re the exception. You’re not. And that’s actually good news. Because it means you don’t have to carry the pressure of being perfect. You only have to come. The one requirement for receiving grace is knowing you need it.

Apply

Take five minutes today to confess honestly before God. Don’t try to soften the truth or explain it away. Just say it plainly: “I have sinned. I have fallen short.” Then thank him that this reality does not disqualify you. It actually positions you perfectly to receive grace. If you’re comfortable, consider reaching out to a trusted friend or mentor and sharing one area where you’ve been trying to hide your need. Let confession open the door to freedom.

Pray

God, I confess that I have fallen short. Not just once, but daily. I’ve missed the mark in my thoughts, my actions, and my motives. Thank you that your response to my sin is not condemnation, but compassion. Help me stop hiding, stop comparing, and stop pretending. I want to live honestly, knowing that your grace covers every place I fall short. In Jesus’ name. Amen.