Devine Scripture

Romans 14:8

What does Romans 14:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 14:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 14:8 means

Paul restates and intensifies the truth: whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Our identity and security are located in Him, not in our practices or in others’ approval. This provides both freedom and responsibility. Freedom, because we need not be enslaved to human opinions when we seek to please Christ. Responsibility, because every act is lived under His gaze and for His honor. Even in death, the believer’s deepest reality is not loss but belonging. Such a perspective reshapes disputable matters: what counts most is fidelity to the Lord who claims us entirely.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

As long as we have life we are living to the Lord; or if we give up our life it is to the Lord; so if we are living, or if our life comes to an end, we are the Lord's.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for both, if we may live, to the Lord we live; if also we may die, to the Lord we die; both then if we may live, also if we may die, we are the Lord's;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord: or whether we die, we die unto the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For both if we should live, [it is] to the Lord we live; and if we should die, [it is] to the Lord we die: both if we should live then, and if we should die, we are the Lord's.

Context

This verse reinforces the Godward orientation of the Christian life introduced in verse 7 and paves the way for verse 9, where Paul explains why Christ’s lordship extends over both the living and the dead. With that theological anchor, Paul will then return to practical admonition about judging in verses 10–12, reminding the church that final evaluation belongs to God, not to community tribunals over secondary concerns.

v.7For none of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to himself.

v.8This passage

v.9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 13:36

    For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:14

    For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

  • Philippians 2:17

    Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all:

  • Acts 20:24

    But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:22

    whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

  • Revelation 14:13

    And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.

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