Romans 14:8 kjv
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
Romans 14:8 nkjv
For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
Romans 14:8 niv
If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Romans 14:8 esv
For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
Romans 14:8 nlt
If we live, it's to honor the Lord. And if we die, it's to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Romans 14 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 14:7 | For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. | Close context |
| Rom 14:8 | For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. | Key statement of belonging |
| 1 Cor 6:19 | What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? | Belongs to God |
| 1 Cor 6:20 | For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. | Bought by Christ |
| Gal 2:20 | I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. | Christ-centered life |
| Phil 1:20 | According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. | Magnifying Christ |
| 1 Thess 4:12 | That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. | Conduct towards others |
| 2 Cor 5:15 | And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. | Died for all |
| John 13:1 | Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. | Love unto the end |
| John 15:19 | If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. | Chosen out of the world |
| John 17:10 | And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. | Union with Christ |
| Rom 8:38-39 | For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. | Inseparable love of God |
| Phil 2:5 | Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: | Mind of Christ |
| 1 Pet 4:11 | If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. | Glorify God |
| Heb 12:22-23 | But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, | Heavenly citizenship |
| Col 1:13 | Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: | Translated into His kingdom |
| Acts 26:18 | To open their eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. | Turned to God |
| Eph 2:10 | For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. | God's workmanship |
| Lev 26:12 | And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. | Covenant relationship |
| Ps 47:9 | The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted. | Belong to God |
Romans 14 verses
Romans 14 8 Meaning
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
Romans 14 8 Context
Romans chapter 14 addresses issues of disputable matters within the church, specifically concerning dietary laws and observance of certain days. The primary concern is unity and mutual respect among believers with differing consciences. Chapter 14 builds upon the theme of Christian freedom introduced earlier in Romans, emphasizing that this freedom is not to be a cause for stumbling or division. Verse 8 serves as a foundational statement, grounding believers in their ultimate allegiance to the Lord, irrespective of their earthly life or death, or the specific practices they follow or abstain from. It bridges the previous verse, which states no one lives or dies for themselves, and the subsequent verses that discuss living and dying in relation to the Lord. The historical context involves early Christians in Rome, some of whom were Gentile believers with no background in Jewish dietary laws, and others who were Jewish Christians deeply ingrained in them. Paul is instructing them on how to live in community while respecting differing convictions about these matters.
Romans 14 8 Word Analysis
- For: (Greek: γαρ - gar) This conjunction introduces a reason or explanation for the preceding statement. It explains why living and dying should not be for oneself.
- whether: (Greek: ἐὰν - ean) A conditional particle, meaning "if" or "whether."
- we live: (Greek: ζῶμεν - zōmen) First person plural present active indicative of ζάω (zaō), meaning "to live."
- we live: (Greek: ζῶμεν - zōmen)
- unto the Lord: (Greek: κυρίῳ - kyriō) Dative singular of κύριος (kyrios), meaning "Lord." This signifies purpose or relation.
- and: (Greek: καὶ - kai) Connects the clauses.
- whether: (Greek: ἐὰν - ean)
- we die: (Greek: ἀποθνήσκωμεν - apothnēskōmen) First person plural present active subjunctive of ἀποθνήσκω (apothnēskō), meaning "to die," "to be dying." The subjunctive mood indicates a possibility or a potential reality.
- we die: (Greek: ἀποθνήσκωμεν - apothnēskōmen)
- unto the Lord: (Greek: κυρίῳ - kyriō)
- whether we live therefore: (Greek: ἐὰν οὖν ζῶμεν - ean oun zōmen) "If therefore we live."
- or die: (Greek: ἢ ἀποθνήσκωμεν - ē apothnēskōmen) "Or we die."
- we are the Lord's: (Greek: κυρίου ἐσμέν - kyriou esmen) "We belong to the Lord." Κυρίου (kyriou) is genitive singular of κύριος (kyrios), indicating possession or ownership. Ἐσμέν (esmen) is first person plural present active indicative of εἰμί (eimi), meaning "to be." This is a strong declaration of ownership.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord": This is a parallelism. It emphasizes that both states of existence—life and death—are dedicated to the Lord. The dedication (unto the Lord) is the controlling factor in both scenarios. It means our living and dying have the same Lord and Master, and should be oriented towards Him.
- "whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's": This is the logical conclusion. The "therefore" (οὖν - oun) connects the preceding conditionality (life or death) to the absolute statement of possession. Regardless of the outcome of our life or death, our fundamental status is that of belonging to Christ. This is the ultimate reality that undergirds the different practices discussed in the chapter. It implies absolute ownership and dedication, not just in our living and dying, but in our very being.
Romans 14 8 Bonus Section
The concept of "living unto the Lord" and "dying unto the Lord" directly connects to the Christian doctrine of Lordship. Christ's Lordship encompasses every aspect of a believer's existence, past, present, and future, life and death included. This dedication is a response to Christ's own sacrificial death and resurrection for believers, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:15. The ultimate claim of ownership by Christ is rooted in His redemptive work, establishing His right to absolute devotion and service from those He has bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This ownership is the very basis of Christian discipleship, requiring a life lived in continuous communion with and service to Him. The verse, therefore, is a powerful reminder of the transforming nature of Christ's salvation, which redefines the believer's entire existence around His person and purpose.
Romans 14 8 Commentary
This verse provides the ultimate theological grounding for resolving disputes within the Christian community. It reminds believers that their primary allegiance is not to personal preferences, ethical systems (beyond God's law), or cultural norms, but to the Lord Jesus Christ. Whether believers are alive and active in service, or facing death, their existence is entirely His. This means their purpose, actions, and very identity are surrendered to His will and glory. Life and death are not antithetical to His ownership but are part of the framework within which He sovereignly possesses them. The emphasis is on belonging and ultimate stewardship; since they belong to the Lord, their life and death are to be lived and embraced for Him. This perspective eliminates self-centeredness in disputable matters, fostering unity as believers recognize their shared Lord and Savior.
Examples for practical usage:
- When deciding whether to eat meat sacrificed to idols or to abstain, a believer’s consideration should be: "How does this choice honor the Lord, since I belong to Him whether I live or die?"
- In times of suffering or even facing persecution, the understanding that one belongs to the Lord in death as well as life can provide comfort and a steadfast focus on His eternal purpose.
- Personal life choices, health decisions, or even how one conducts themselves in their job, should reflect this ultimate belonging: "Am I living this in a way that is 'unto the Lord' because I am His?"