atonement

salvation

grace

Jesus Paid It All

Elvina M. Hall 1865 Tune: All to Christ (6.5.6.5 with refrain)

A hymn confessing that the whole debt of sin has been paid by Christ alone.

Quick Answer

A hymn confessing that the whole debt of sin has been paid by Christ alone. Written by Elvina M. Hall (1865), set to the tune "All to Christ" by John T. Grape.

Suggested pairing scripture

Isaiah 1:18

"Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Read Isaiah 1:18 (KJV) aloud as a call to worship before the congregation sings "Jesus Paid It All." It anchors the hymn in the Word from which it flows.

Read in context

When to sing this

Sing on Good Friday, during Holy Week reflections, and at the Lord's Supper as the congregation contemplates the cross.

Lyrics

Stanza 1

I hear the Saviour say, "Thy strength indeed is small; Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all."

Refrain: Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

Stanza 3

Lord, now indeed I find Thy power, and Thine alone, Can change the leper's spots And melt the heart of stone.

Stanza 4

For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim; I'll wash my garments white In the blood of Calvary's Lamb.

Stanza 5

And when, before the throne, I stand in Him complete, "Jesus died my soul to save," My lips shall still repeat.

History & Background

Elvina Hall wrote the words on the flyleaf of her hymnal during a sermon in Baltimore in 1865. The pastor's organist, John T. Grape, had recently composed a tune called 'All to Christ', and the two were paired the same year.

Scripture Behind the Hymn

Isaiah 1:18

"Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Read in context

Colossians 2:14

"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us... and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross."

Read in context

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the line 'sin had left a crimson stain' come from?

It paraphrases Isaiah 1:18, where the LORD promises that scarlet sins will be made 'white as snow'.

Related Hymns

Other hymns that share themes or scripture with Jesus Paid It All.

To God Be the Glory

Fanny J. Crosby · 1875

And Can It Be That I Should Gain

Charles Wesley · 1738

Amazing Grace

John Newton · 1779

Related Reading

Continue your study with related content from across our library:

Jesus Paid It All

Elvina M. Hall • 1865

To God Be the Glory

Fanny J. Crosby • 1875

Ephesians 2:8-9 Commentary

In-depth study • Salvation & Grace

Titus 3:5 Commentary

In-depth study • Salvation by Grace

What Is Atonement in the Bible?

Sin & Salvation

The Crucifixion of Jesus

Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19 • Atonement and Sacrifice

Where to go next

Enjoyed "Jesus Paid It All"? These pages pair well with it for worship planning.

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