Romans 14:9

KJV

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} to {G1519} this {G5124} end Christ {G5547} both {G2532} died {G599}, and {G2532} rose {G450}, and {G2532} revived {G326}, that {G2443} he might be Lord {G2961} both {G2532} of the dead {G3498} and {G2532} living {G2198}.

Complete Jewish Bible

indeed, it was for this very reason that the Messiah died and came back to life, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

Berean Standard Bible

For this reason Christ died and returned to life, that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 14:9 articulates the profound theological basis for Christian unity and mutual acceptance, asserting that Christ's death, resurrection, and subsequent "revival" were all purposed to establish His universal and absolute Lordship over both the living and the dead. This foundational truth underscores that all believers are ultimately accountable to Christ alone, thereby liberating them from judging one another on matters of conscience and encouraging a life lived in full submission to His sovereign authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 14 stands as a crucial exposition on Christian liberty and conscience within the broader epistle. Paul addresses internal tensions within the Roman church, specifically concerning "disputable matters" such as dietary practices (eating meat offered to idols) and the observance of special days. He urges believers not to judge or despise one another based on these non-essential convictions, emphasizing that each individual's conscience is ultimately answerable to God. Verses 7-8 establish that believers live and die to the Lord, setting the stage for verse 9, which provides the ultimate theological rationale for this accountability: Christ's supreme Lordship, established through His redemptive acts. This verse serves as the theological linchpin for Paul's appeal for unity and forbearance, transforming the discussion from mere practical advice into a profound theological imperative rooted in Christology.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Roman church was a diverse community comprising both Jewish and Gentile converts. Jewish Christians often maintained adherence to Old Testament dietary laws and Sabbath observances, while Gentile Christians, freed from such Mosaic strictures, might view these practices as unnecessary or even restrictive. This created friction and judgment. Furthermore, the broader Roman world was saturated with pagan practices, including meat sacrificed to idols, which posed a significant ethical dilemma for early Christians. The concept of "Lord" (Greek: *kyrios*) was also highly significant; it was a title used for Roman emperors, pagan deities, and even household masters. Paul's declaration of Christ as "Lord of the dead and living" would have resonated powerfully, asserting His supreme authority over all competing claims, including those of Caesar or pagan gods, thereby demanding ultimate allegiance from believers in a polytheistic and imperialistic society.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key theological themes central to the book of Romans and Christian theology as a whole. Foremost is the **Lordship of Christ**, which is presented not merely as a title but as a divinely established reality through His redemptive work. This Lordship extends universally, encompassing all humanity, whether in life or death, demanding ultimate allegiance and accountability from every individual. The verse also highlights the **Significance of Christ's Death and Resurrection** as the indispensable means by which His Lordship was secured and demonstrated, echoing themes found throughout [the gospel message](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Core Gospel Message"). Furthermore, it underscores **Ultimate Accountability to God**, shifting the focus from judging fellow believers to recognizing that all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, as further elaborated in [Romans 14:10-12](/romans/14-10-12 "Romans 14:10-12 - Our Accountability to God"). Finally, it provides a robust theological foundation for **Christian Unity in Diversity**, asserting that despite differences in secondary matters, the shared confession and submission to Christ's singular Lordship should foster mutual acceptance and love within the body of Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **died (Greek, _apothnḗskō'_):** This verb signifies a complete cessation of life, a literal dying off. In the context of Christ, it refers to His physical death on the cross, which was a real and historical event, essential for the atonement of sins. Paul emphasizes the reality and finality of His death as a prerequisite for His subsequent triumph.
* **rose (Greek, _anístēmi'_):** Meaning "to stand up" or "to arise," this word denotes Christ's active and triumphant resurrection from the dead. It signifies not merely a resuscitation but a victory over death, demonstrating His divine power and validating His claims. This rising is intrinsically linked to the establishment of His authority.
* **Lord (Greek, _kyrieúō'_):** Derived from *kyrios* (master, owner, sovereign), this verb means "to rule," "to have dominion over," or "to exercise lordship over." It conveys absolute authority and supreme power. When applied to Christ, it declares His rightful and universal dominion, not just over believers, but over all creation, including the realms of life and death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived,"**: This opening clause establishes the ultimate purpose of Christ's redemptive work. His death on the cross, His literal resurrection, and His subsequent "revival" (often understood as His living again in glorified form, encompassing His ascension and ongoing life) are not random events but divinely orchestrated actions with a specific goal. The sequence emphasizes the progression from death to triumphant life, forming the basis of His authority.
* **"that he might be Lord"**: This phrase introduces the telos, or purpose, of Christ's death and resurrection. The entire redemptive drama culminates in the establishment and demonstration of His absolute Lordship. This is not a passive title but an active reign, signifying His supreme authority and sovereign rule.
* **"both of the dead and living."**: This final phrase specifies the universal scope of Christ's Lordship. His dominion extends over all humanity, transcending the boundaries of life and death. Whether one is alive in the present or has passed into eternity, all are subject to Christ's authority and ultimate judgment. This comprehensive dominion underscores the profound implications for how believers live and relate to one another, knowing that their ultimate accountability is to Him alone.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 14:9 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. The most prominent is **Climax**, as the verse builds from Christ's death, through His resurrection, to the ultimate declaration of His universal Lordship. This progression highlights the logical and theological sequence of events that establish His authority. There is also a strong sense of **Purposeful Action**, indicated by the phrase "to this end... that he might be Lord," which frames Christ's redemptive acts as intentional and goal-oriented. Furthermore, the **Antithesis** of "the dead and living" emphasizes the comprehensive and all-encompassing nature of Christ's dominion, leaving no realm outside of His authority. The use of **Parallelism** in "died, and rose, and revived" creates a rhythmic emphasis on the sequential and interconnected aspects of Christ's triumph, each contributing to the establishment of His supreme reign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 14:9 is a cornerstone for understanding Christian Christology and its practical implications for ecclesiology. It asserts that Christ's redemptive work—His death, resurrection, and glorified life—is intrinsically linked to His universal dominion. This means His Lordship is not merely a spiritual concept but a reality grounded in historical events, demonstrating His victory over sin and death and His rightful claim to sovereignty over all creation. This theological truth liberates believers from the burden of judging one another on non-essential matters, as all are ultimately accountable to this one supreme Lord. It calls for a life lived in conscious submission to Christ's authority, fostering unity and mutual acceptance within the diverse body of believers.

* [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation and Universal Lordship")
* [2 Corinthians 5:15](/2_corinthians/5-15 "2 Corinthians 5:15 - Living for Christ Who Died and Rose")
* [Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ's Victory Over Death and Hades")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 14:9 calls believers to a profound and transformative awareness of Christ's supreme authority in every aspect of their lives. Recognizing that Christ "died, and rose, and revived" precisely so that He might be Lord over all, both living and dead, fundamentally reshapes our perspective on personal convictions, interpersonal relationships within the church, and our ultimate purpose. It encourages a life of radical submission, where our choices, attitudes, and priorities are filtered through the lens of His Lordship, rather than personal preference, cultural norms, or the expectations of others. This truth fosters humility, urging us to refrain from judging fellow believers on disputable matters, knowing that they, too, stand before the same sovereign Lord. Instead, it compels us to live in a manner that honors Christ, promoting unity, love, and mutual edification within the body, always mindful that our ultimate accountability is to Him who holds dominion over all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Christ's universal Lordship impact your daily decisions and priorities?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be living as if you, or someone else, is lord, rather than Christ?**
* **How can the truth of Christ's Lordship over both the living and the dead deepen your assurance and hope?**
* **How does this verse challenge or affirm your approach to disagreements with other believers on non-essential issues?**

### FAQ

**Why does Paul emphasize Christ's Lordship in a chapter about disputable matters?**

Answer: Paul emphasizes Christ's Lordship in [Romans 14](/romans/14 "Romans 14 - Christian Liberty and Mutual Acceptance") to provide the ultimate theological foundation for his exhortation against judging one another over "disputable matters" like food and special days. If Christ is the supreme Lord over all—both the living and the dead—then every believer is ultimately accountable to Him alone, not to fellow Christians. This truth removes the burden of judging others and shifts the focus to individual responsibility before God. It fosters unity by reminding believers that their common allegiance to Christ's sovereignty is far more significant than their differences in personal convictions or practices.

**What does "Lord of the dead and living" truly mean?**

Answer: This phrase signifies the absolute and universal scope of Christ's dominion. "Lord of the dead" means that Christ has conquered death and has authority over those who have passed away, including their destiny. This is powerfully demonstrated by His own resurrection and His promise of resurrection for believers, as seen in [John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "John 5:28-29 - The Resurrection of the Dead"). "Lord of the living" means He has supreme authority over all people currently alive, demanding their allegiance, obedience, and worship. Together, these phrases declare that no one, at any point in time or state of being, is outside of Christ's sovereign rule. His Lordship is comprehensive, eternal, and all-encompassing.

**How does this verse relate to Christian freedom?**

Answer: Romans 14:9 profoundly shapes our understanding of Christian freedom. True Christian freedom is not merely the absence of external rules, but the liberty to live in full submission to Christ as Lord. Because Christ is our ultimate authority, believers are freed from the bondage of human judgment, legalistic demands, or the need to conform to others' consciences on non-essential issues. This freedom, however, is not a license for self-indulgence but an opportunity to live responsibly and lovingly before Christ, always considering how our actions might impact others and bring glory to Him, as Paul discusses in [Romans 14:13-23](/romans/14-13-23 "Romans 14:13-23 - Do Not Cause Others to Stumble").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 14:9 beautifully encapsulates the Christ-centered nature of the gospel, revealing how Christ's redemptive acts fulfill God's eternal plan for His universal reign. His death on the cross, a voluntary sacrifice for sin, and His triumphant resurrection from the grave were not ends in themselves, but the divinely ordained means by which He was exalted to supreme Lordship. This echoes Old Testament prophecies foretelling a Messiah who would reign eternally, such as [Psalm 110:1](/psalms/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord's Anointed King"), where the Lord invites His Anointed to sit at His right hand. In the New Testament, this truth is powerfully affirmed, as Peter declares on Pentecost that God has made Jesus, whom they crucified, "both Lord and Christ" ([Acts 2:36](/acts/2-36 "Acts 2:36 - God has made Him both Lord and Christ")). Paul further elaborates on Christ's cosmic supremacy in [Ephesians 1:20-23](/ephesians/1-20-23 "Ephesians 1:20-23 - Christ's Supremacy Over All Things"), where God "seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come." Thus, Romans 14:9 points to Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promise to establish a King whose dominion would be over all creation, both visible and invisible, culminating in His role as the ultimate Judge and Sovereign over all humanity, living and dead.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 1:18

[I am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Luke 24:26

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

John 5:22

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

John 5:23

That all [men] should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Matthew 28:18

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Acts 10:42

And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead.