Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Romans 14:9 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ro 14:9	Strong Concordance	For [1063] to [1519] this [5124] end Christ [5547] both [2532] died [599], and [2532] rose [450], and [2532] revived [326], that [2443] he might be Lord [2961] both [2532] of the dead [3498] and [2532] living [2198].
	King James	For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
For to this end Christ both, &c.--The true reading here is, To this end Christ died and lived ("again"). that he might be Lord both of the dead and--"and of the" living--The grand object of His death was to acquire this absolute Lordship over His redeemed, both in their living and in their dying, as His of right.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

For to this end Christ both, &c.--The true reading here is, To this end Christ died and lived ("again").

that he might be Lord both of the dead and--"and of the"

living--The grand object of His death was to acquire this absolute Lordship over His redeemed, both in their living and in their dying, as His of right.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
For to this end - For this purpose or design. The apostle does not say that this was the "only" design of his death, but that it was a main purpose, or an object which he had distinctly in view. This declaration is introduced in order to confirm what he had said in the previous verse, that in all circumstances we are the Lord's. This he shows by the fact that Jesus died "in order" that we "might" be his. And rose - This expression is rejected by most modern critics. It is wanting in many manuscripts, and has been probably introduced in the text from the margin. And revived - There is also a variation in the Greek in this place, but not so great as to change the sense materially. It refers to his "resurrection," and means that he was "restored to life" in order that he might exercise dominion over the dead and the living. That he might be Lord - Greek. That he might "rule over." The Greek word used here implies the idea of his being "proprietor" or "owner" as well as "ruler." It means that he might exercise entire dominion over all, as the sovereign Lawgiver and Lord. Both of the dead - That is, of those who "are" deceased, or who have gone to another state of existence. This passage proves that those who die are not annihilated; that they do not cease to be conscious; and that they still are under the dominion of the Mediator. Though their bodies moulder in the grave, yet the spirit lives, and is under his control. And though the body dies and returns to its native dust, yet the Lord Jesus is still its Sovereign, and shall raise it up again: "God our Redeemer lives, And often from the skies. Looks down and watches all our dust, Till he shall bid it rise." It gives an additional sacredness to the grave when we reflect that the tomb is under the watchful care of the Redeemer. Safe in his hands, the body may sink to its native dust with the assurance that in his own time he will again call it forth, with renovated and immortal powers, to be for ever subject to his will. With this view, we can leave our friends with confidence in his hands when they die, and yield our own bodies cheerfully to the dust when he shall call our spirits hence. But it is not only over the "body" that his dominion is established. This passage proves that the departed souls of the saints are still subject to him; compare Mat 22:32; Mar 12:27. He not only has "dominion" over those spirits, but he is their protector and Lord. They are safe under his universal dominion. And it does much to alleviate the pains of separation from pious, beloved friends, to reflect that they depart still to love and serve the same Saviour in perfect purity, and unvexed by infirmity and sin. Why should we wish to recall them from his perfect love in the heavens to the poor and imperfect service which they would render if in the land of the living? And living - To the redeemed, while they remain in this life. He died to "purchase" them to himself, that they might become his obedient subjects; and they are bound to yield obedience by all the sacredness and value of the price which he paid, even his own precious blood; compare Co1 6:20, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's;" Co1 7:23; Rev 14:4 (Greek, "bought"); Pe1 2:9, (Greek, "purchased"). If it be asked how this "dominion over the dead and the living" is connected with the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, we may reply, (1) That it is secured over Christians from the fact that they are "purchased" or "ransomed" by his precious blood; and that they are bound by this sacred consideration to live to him. This obligation every Christian feels Pe1 1:18, and its force is continually resting on him. It was by the love of Christ that he was ever brought to love God at all; and his deepest and tenderest obligations to live to him arise from this source; Co2 5:14-15. (2) Jesus, by his death and resurrection, established a dominion over the grave. He destroyed him that had the power of death, Heb 2:14, and triumphed over him; Col 2:15. Satan is a humbled foe; and his sceptre over the grave is wrested from his hands. When Jesus rose, in spite of all the power of Satan and of people, he burst the bands of death, and made an invasion on the dominions of the dead, and showed that he had power to control all. (3) this dominion of the Lord Jesus is felt by the spirits on high. They are subject to him because he redeemed them; Rev 5:9. (4) it is often revealed in the Scriptures that "dominion" was to be given to the Lord Jesus as the reward of his sufferings and death; see the Joh 17:2, Joh 17:4-5; 5:26-29 notes; Phi 2:5-11 notes; Eph 1:20-21 notes; Heb 2:9-10; Heb 12:2 notes. The "extent" of his dominion as mediator is affirmed, in this place, only to be over the dead and the living; that is, over the human race. Other passages of the Scripture, however, seem to imply that it extends over all worlds.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

For to this end - For this purpose or design. The apostle does not say that this was the "only" design of his death, but that it was a main purpose, or an object which he had distinctly in view. This declaration is introduced in order to confirm what he had said in the previous verse, that in all circumstances we are the Lord's. This he shows by the fact that Jesus died "in order" that we "might" be his.

And rose - This expression is rejected by most modern critics. It is wanting in many manuscripts, and has been probably introduced in the text from the margin.

And revived - There is also a variation in the Greek in this place, but not so great as to change the sense materially. It refers to his "resurrection," and means that he was "restored to life" in order that he might exercise dominion over the dead and the living.

That he might be Lord - Greek. That he might "rule over." The Greek word used here implies the idea of his being "proprietor" or "owner" as well as "ruler." It means that he might exercise entire dominion over all, as the sovereign Lawgiver and Lord.

Both of the dead - That is, of those who "are" deceased, or who have gone to another state of existence. This passage proves that those who die are not annihilated; that they do not cease to be conscious; and that they still are under the dominion of the Mediator. Though their bodies moulder in the grave, yet the spirit lives, and is under his control. And though the body dies and returns to its native dust, yet the Lord Jesus is still its Sovereign, and shall raise it up again:

"God our Redeemer lives,

And often from the skies.

Looks down and watches all our dust,

Till he shall bid it rise."

It gives an additional sacredness to the grave when we reflect that the tomb is under the watchful care of the Redeemer. Safe in his hands, the body may sink to its native dust with the assurance that in his own time he will again call it forth, with renovated and immortal powers, to be for ever subject to his will. With this view, we can leave our friends with confidence in his hands when they die, and yield our own bodies cheerfully to the dust when he shall call our spirits hence. But it is not only over the "body" that his dominion is established. This passage proves that the departed souls of the saints are still subject to him; compare Mat 22:32; Mar 12:27. He not only has "dominion" over those spirits, but he is their protector and Lord. They are safe under his universal dominion. And it does much to alleviate the pains of separation from pious, beloved friends, to reflect that they depart still to love and serve the same Saviour in perfect purity, and unvexed by infirmity and sin. Why should we wish to recall them from his perfect love in the heavens to the poor and imperfect service which they would render if in the land of the living?

And living - To the redeemed, while they remain in this life. He died to "purchase" them to himself, that they might become his obedient subjects; and they are bound to yield obedience by all the sacredness and value of the price which he paid, even his own precious blood; compare Co1 6:20, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's;" Co1 7:23; Rev 14:4 (Greek, "bought"); Pe1 2:9, (Greek, "purchased"). If it be asked how this "dominion over the dead and the living" is connected with the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, we may reply,

(1) That it is secured over Christians from the fact that they are "purchased" or "ransomed" by his precious blood; and that they are bound by this sacred consideration to live to him. This obligation every Christian feels Pe1 1:18, and its force is continually resting on him. It was by the love of Christ that he was ever brought to love God at all; and his deepest and tenderest obligations to live to him arise from this source; Co2 5:14-15.

(2) Jesus, by his death and resurrection, established a dominion over the grave. He destroyed him that had the power of death, Heb 2:14, and triumphed over him; Col 2:15. Satan is a humbled foe; and his sceptre over the grave is wrested from his hands. When Jesus rose, in spite of all the power of Satan and of people, he burst the bands of death, and made an invasion on the dominions of the dead, and showed that he had power to control all.

(3) this dominion of the Lord Jesus is felt by the spirits on high. They are subject to him because he redeemed them; Rev 5:9.

(4) it is often revealed in the Scriptures that "dominion" was to be given to the Lord Jesus as the reward of his sufferings and death; see the Joh 17:2, Joh 17:4-5; 5:26-29 notes; Phi 2:5-11 notes; Eph 1:20-21 notes; Heb 2:9-10; Heb 12:2 notes. The "extent" of his dominion as mediator is affirmed, in this place, only to be over the dead and the living; that is, over the human race. Other passages of the Scripture, however, seem to imply that it extends over all worlds.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Might be Lord (κυριεύση) Lit., might Lord it over. Justifying the term Lord applied to Christ in Rom 14:6, Rom 14:8.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Christ both died and rose - That we are not our own, but are the Lord's both in life and death, is evident from this - that Christ lived, and died, and rose again, that he might be the Lord of the dead and the living; for his power extends equally over both worlds: separate, as well as embodied spirits, are under his authority; and he it is who is to raise even the dead to life: and thus all throughout eternity shall live under his dominion. The clause και ανεστη, and rose, is wanting in several reputable MSS., and certainly is not necessary to the text. Griesbach omits the words, and reads απεθανε και εζησεν, died and lived; of which Professor White says, lectio indubie genuina: "this reading is indisputably genuine."

Top

² Looking [872] unto [1519] Jesus [2424] the author [747] and [2532] finisher [5051] of our faith [4102]; who [3739] for [473] the joy [5479] that was set before [4295] him [846] endured [5278] the cross [4716], despising [2706] the shame [152], and [5037] is set down [2523] at [1722] the right hand [1188] of the throne [2362] of God [2316].

⁹ But [1161] we see [991] Jesus [2424], who [3588] was made [1642] a little [1024] [5100] lower [1642] than [3844] the angels [32] for [1223] the suffering [3804] of death [2288], crowned [4737] with glory [1391] and [2532] honour [5092]; that [3704] he [1089] by the grace [5485] of God [2316] should taste [1089] death [2288] for [5228] every man [3956].
¹⁰ For [1063] it became [4241] him [846], for [1223] whom [3739] are all things [3956], and [2532] by [1223] whom [3739] are all things [3956], in bringing [71] many [4183] sons [5207] unto [1519] glory [1391], to make [5048] the captain [747] of their [846] salvation [4991] perfect [5048] through [1223] sufferings [3804].

²⁰ Which [3739] he wrought [1754] in [1722] Christ [5547], when he raised [1453] him [846] from [1537] the dead [3498], and [2532] set [2523] him at [1722] his own [846] right hand [1188] in [1722] the heavenly [2032] places,
²¹ Far above [5231] all [3956] principality [746], and [2532] power [1849], and [2532] might [1411], and [2532] dominion [2963], and [2532] every [3956] name [3686] that is named [3687], not [3756] only [3440] in [1722] this [5129] world [165], but [235] also [2532] in [1722] that which is to come [3195]:

⁵ [1063] Let [5426] this [5124] mind be [5426] in [1722] you [5213], which [3739] was also [2532] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424]:
⁶ Who [3739], being [5225] in [1722] the form [3444] of God [2316], thought it [2233] not [3756] robbery [725] to be [1511] equal [2470] with God [2316]:
⁷ But [235] made [2758] himself [1438] of no reputation [2758], and took upon him [2983] the form [3444] of a servant [1401], and was made [1096] in [1722] the likeness [3667] of men [444]:
⁸ And [2532] being found [2147] in fashion [4976] as [5613] a man [444], he humbled [5013] himself [1438], and became [1096] obedient [5255] unto [3360] death [2288], even [1161] the death [2288] of the cross [4716].
⁹ Wherefore [1352] God [2316] also [2532] hath highly exalted [5251] him [846], and [2532] given [5483] him [846] a name [3686] which [3588] is above [5228] every [3956] name [3686]:
¹⁰ That [2443] at [1722] the name [3686] of Jesus [2424] every [3956] knee [1119] should bow [2578], of things in heaven [2032], and [2532] things in earth [1919], and [2532] things under the earth [2709];
¹¹ And [2532] that every [3956] tongue [1100] should confess [1843] that [3754] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] is Lord [2962], to [1519] the glory [1391] of God [2316] the Father [3962].

⁴ I [1473] have glorified [1392] thee [4571] on [1909] the earth [1093]: I have finished [5048] the work [2041] which [3739] thou gavest [1325] me [3427] to [2443] do [4160].
⁵ And [2532] now [3568], O Father [3962], glorify [1392] thou [4771] me [3165] with [3844] thine own self [4572] with the glory [1391] which [3739] I had [2192] with [3844] thee [4671] before [4253] the world [2889] was [1511].

² As [2531] thou hast given [1325] him [846] power [1849] over all [3956] flesh [4561], that [2443] he should give [1325] eternal [166] life [2222] to [3739] as many as [3956] [846] thou hast given [1325] him [846].

⁹ And [2532] they sung [103] a new [2537] song [5603], saying [3004], Thou art [1488] worthy [514] to take [2983] the book [975], and [2532] to open [455] the seals [4973] thereof [846]: for [3754] thou wast slain [4969], and [2532] hast redeemed [59] us [2248] to God [2316] by [1722] thy [4675] blood [129] out of [1537] every [3956] kindred [5443], and [2532] tongue [1100], and [2532] people [2992], and [2532] nation [1484];

¹⁵ And having spoiled [554] principalities [746] and [2532] powers [1849], he made a shew of them [1165] openly [1722] [3954], triumphing over [2358] them [846] in [1722] it [846].

¹⁴ Forasmuch [1893] then [3767] as the children [3813] are partakers [2841] of flesh [4561] and [2532] blood [129], he [3348] also [2532] himself [846] likewise [3898] took part [3348] of the same [846]; that [2443] through [1223] death [2288] he might destroy [2673] him that had [2192] the power [2904] of death [2288], that is [5123], the devil [1228];

¹⁴ For [1063] the love [26] of Christ [5547] constraineth [4912] us [2248]; because we thus [5124] judge [2919], that [3754] if [1487] one [1520] died [599] for [5228] all [3956], then [686] were [599] all [3956] dead [599]:
¹⁵ And [2532] that he died [599] for [5228] all [3956], that [2443] they which live [2198] should [2198] not henceforth [3371] live [2198] unto themselves [1438], but [235] unto him which died [599] for [5228] them [846], and [2532] rose again [1453].

¹⁸ Forasmuch as ye know [1492] that [3754] ye were [3084] not [3756] redeemed [3084] with corruptible things [5349], as silver [694] and [2228] gold [5553], from [1537] your [5216] vain [3152] conversation [391] received by tradition from your fathers [3970];

⁹ But [1161] ye [5210] are a chosen [1588] generation [1085], a royal [934] priesthood [2406], an holy [40] nation [1484], a peculiar [1519] [4047] people [2992]; that [3704] ye should shew forth [1804] the praises [703] of him who hath called [2564] you [5209] out of [1537] darkness [4655] into [1519] his [846] marvellous [2298] light [5457]:

⁴ These [3778] are they [1526] which [3739] were [3435] not [3756] defiled [3435] with [3326] women [1135]; for [1063] they are [1526] virgins [3933]. These [3778] are they [1526] which [3588] follow [190] the Lamb [721] whithersoever [3699] [302] he goeth [5217]. These [3778] were redeemed [59] from [575] among men [444], being the firstfruits [536] unto God [2316] and [2532] to the Lamb [721].

²³ Ye are bought [59] with a price [5092]; be [1096] not [3361] ye [1096] the servants [1401] of men [444].

²⁰ For [1063] ye are bought [59] with a price [5092]: therefore [1211] glorify [1392] God [2316] in [1722] your [5216] body [4983], and [2532] in [1722] your [5216] spirit [4151], which [3748] are [2076] God's [2316].

²⁷ He is [2076] not [3756] the God [2316] of the dead [3498], but [235] the God [2316] of the living [2198]: ye [5210] therefore [3767] do [4105] greatly [4183] err [4105].

³² I [1473] am [1510] the God [2316] of Abraham [11], and [2532] the God [2316] of Isaac [2464], and [2532] the God [2316] of Jacob [2384]? God [2316] is [2076] not [3756] the God [2316] of the dead [3498], but [235] of the living [2198].

⁸ For [1063] whether [1437] [5037] we live [2198], we live [2198] unto the Lord [2962]; and whether [1437] [5037] we die [599], we die [599] unto the Lord [2962]: whether [1437] [5037] we live [2198] therefore [3767], or [1437] [5037] die [599], we are [2070] the Lord's [2962].

⁶ He that regardeth [5426] the day [2250], regardeth [5426] it unto the Lord [2962]; and [2532] he that regardeth [5426] not [3361] the day [2250], to the Lord [2962] he doth [5426] not [3756] regard [5426] it. He that eateth [2068], eateth [2068] to the Lord [2962], for [1063] he giveth God [2316] thanks [2168]; and [2532] he that eateth [2068] not [3361], to the Lord [2962] he eateth [2068] not [3756], and [2532] giveth God [2316] thanks [2168].