Devine Scripture

Romans 5:8

What does Romans 5:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 5:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 5:8 means

Here is the gospel’s heart: God demonstrates His own love toward us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The cross is not only effective; it is expressive—it shows the nature of God’s love. We did not become lovable first; His love preceded our change. “For us” points to substitution: Christ died in the place of sinners, bearing what we deserved. This settled, historic act provides ongoing assurance. Whenever doubts arise, believers look back to Calvary and see love proven beyond dispute. The God who loved us at our worst can be trusted to bring us safely to the end.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But God has made clear his love to us, in that, when we were still sinners, Christ gave his life for us.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and God doth commend His own love to us, that, in our being still sinners, Christ did die for us;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But God commendeth his charity towards us: because when as yet we were sinners according to the time.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

butGod commends his love to us, in that, we being still sinners, Christ has died for us.

Context

After contrasting limited human sacrifice (v7), Paul states God’s surpassing love in Christ’s death for sinners. The argument now turns to its implications: having been justified by Christ’s blood, believers will certainly be saved from wrath (v9). Then, if reconciliation happened while we were enemies, much more will the risen life of God’s Son secure our final salvation (v10). The section culminates in joyful boasting in God because reconciliation is already received (v11).

v.7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: for peradventure for the good man some one would even dare to die.

v.8This passage

v.9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath of God through him.

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 53:6

    All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

  • Romans 3:5

    But if our unrighteousness commendeth the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who visiteth with wrath? (I speak after the manner of men.)

  • 1 Peter 3:18

    Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

  • Ephesians 1:6

    to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:

  • Romans 5:20

    And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:

  • Romans 4:25

    who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.

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