Romans 14:8

8 For whether we live, we live to the Lord; and whether we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore whether we live or die, we be of the Lord [we be (the) Lord's].

Romans 14:8 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 14:8

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord
As natural, so spiritual life is derived from the Lord, and believers live by faith upon him, and according to his will revealed in the word; find to his honour and glory; at least they desire so to do:

and whether we die, we die unto the Lord;
resigning up life unto him, whenever it is his pleasure; magnifying of him, as by life, so by death; dying to be with him, to be raised again by him, and live with him for evermore; in the faith and hope of this, the believer both lives and dies, and so glorifies Christ both in life and death: hence this conclusion follows,

whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lord's;
by the gift of the Father to him, by his own purchase, and the power of his grace, making them willing to give up themselves to him: and hence it is, that under a sense of this, that they are his, and not their own, nor another's, they do all they do for his glory; whether they observe, or not observe a day, it is to the Lord; whether they eat, or not eat things formerly forbidden, it is to him; and whether they live or die, it is to the Lord, whose they are: and hence also it is, that they are not to be despised and set at nought, or to be judged and censured by one another, since they belong to another master, who is their Lord, and will be their Judge.

Romans 14:8 In-Context

6 He that understandeth the day, understandeth to the Lord [He that savoureth, or understandeth, the day, understandeth to the Lord]. And he that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he doeth thankings to God. And he that eateth not, eateth not to the Lord, and doeth thankings to God.

7 For no man of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

8 For whether we live, we live to the Lord; and whether we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore whether we live or die, we be of the Lord [we be (the) Lord's].

9 For why for this thing Christ was dead, and rose again, that he be Lord both of quick and of dead men [that he be Lord and of quick and of dead].

10 But what deemest thou thy brother? or why despisest thou thy brother? for all we shall stand before the throne of Christ.