Alma here goes into more detail about the condition of those who follow Satan. Because there are only two choices—Yahweh-Messiah or Satan—we must receive “wages” of the one to whom we give allegiance, but here he describes only the “wages” of Satan’s followers. Obviously, he clearly understands from personal experience the excellent “wages” received by a follower of the Messiah, but here he emphasizes the wages of evil to create in his congregation recognition of the need for repentance. Those who are already receiving the Messiah’s wages have the greatest reward and are in no need of change.
Reference: The concept of death as the “wages of sin” is clearly found in Paul: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). However, the context is quite different. In Paul’s case he contrasts death in sin with life through Christ, a reference to the final judgment and soul’s eventual state. In Alma’s case, the “wages of sin” leads to more immediate spiritual death and a “death” of good works. Alma is not after an eventual change, but rather an immediate one. He wants the good actions of believers in Christ to begin right now. Since his social problem is clearly present, the solution must also be found in the present, not in some future life.
Nevertheless, the very concept of “wages” must be attributed to Paul, for wages are an aspect of a monetary economy that did not exist in Mesoamerica. The Nephites would certainly have understand the concept of a return on effort but would not have been expressed it in monetary terms on the plate-text.