Romans 5:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} scarcely {G3433} for {G5228} a righteous man {G1342} will {G599} one {G5100} die {G599}: yet {G1063} peradventure {G5029} for {G5228} a good man {G18} some {G5100} would {G5111} even {G2532} dare {G5111} to die {G599}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now it is a rare event when someone gives up his life even for the sake of somebody righteous, although possibly for a truly good person one might have the courage to die.

Berean Standard Bible

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 5:7 serves as a poignant human analogy, illustrating the rarity and conditional nature of self-sacrifice among people. Paul posits that while one might scarcely consider dying for a merely "righteous" person—one who is just or upright—there is a slight, yet daring, possibility that someone might lay down their life for a "good" person, implying one who is actively benevolent or beneficial to others. This verse meticulously sets the stage for the profound and unparalleled demonstration of divine love revealed in Christ's death for humanity, which transcends all human standards of worthiness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 5:7 is strategically placed within Paul's exposition on the glorious results of justification by faith, following the initial declaration of peace with God and access to grace in [Romans 5:1-2](/romans/5-1-2 "Romans 5:1-2 - Peace and Access to Grace"). The preceding verses (e.g., [Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3-5 "Romans 5:3-5 - Hope in Suffering")) discuss how suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope, a hope that does not disappoint because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Verse 6 then introduces the concept of Christ dying for the "ungodly." Romans 5:7 acts as a crucial bridge, establishing a human baseline for sacrificial love, which is then dramatically surpassed by the divine act described in [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Demonstration of Love"). It creates a rhetorical contrast, highlighting the extraordinary nature of Christ's sacrifice.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, concepts of honor, virtue, and justice were paramount. Dying for one's country, family, or a revered leader was understood, but typically for those deemed worthy or for a cause that brought glory. The idea of sacrificing oneself for a "righteous" or "good" individual would resonate with the ethical frameworks of the time, where acts of benevolence and justice were highly valued. However, such ultimate self-sacrifice was still considered exceptionally rare and heroic, often reserved for individuals who had significantly contributed to society or embodied exemplary virtues. Paul leverages this familiar human understanding of conditional sacrifice to underscore the radical, unconditional nature of God's love, which defies human expectations and precedents.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes in Romans. Firstly, it highlights the **limitations of human love and sacrifice**, demonstrating that even at its noblest, human love is often conditional, based on the perceived worth or benefit of the recipient. Secondly, it serves as a powerful **setup for the demonstration of God's unconditional love** in [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "God's Love for Sinners"), where Christ dies for the "ungodly" and "sinners," not the "righteous" or "good." This contrast emphasizes the **radical nature of divine grace** and the **depth of God's commitment** to humanity. Ultimately, it reinforces the overarching theme of **justification by faith** by revealing the immense cost and boundless love behind the salvation offered through Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **scarcely (Greek, _mólis_):** This adverb denotes difficulty, hardship, or rarity. Its inclusion emphasizes the extreme unlikelihood of someone dying for a righteous person, setting a low bar for human sacrifice that God's love will then overwhelmingly exceed. It underscores the exceptional nature of such an act.
* **righteous (Greek, _díkaios_):** Derived from `δικη` (dikē), meaning "justice" or "right," this term describes someone who is just, upright, innocent, or adheres to moral and divine standards. A "righteous man" is one who lives according to what is right, perhaps respected for their integrity, but not necessarily inspiring deep personal affection or a willingness to die for them.
* **good (Greek, _agathós_):** This word signifies intrinsic goodness, benevolence, kindness, or benefit. An "agathós" person is not just upright but actively virtuous, perhaps performing acts of kindness or being beneficial to others. While a "righteous" person might be respected, a "good" person might inspire more profound gratitude or affection, making the thought of sacrifice for them slightly more conceivable, though still extraordinary.
* **dare (Greek, _tolmáō_):** This verb means "to venture," "to be bold," or "to be courageous." The use of "dare" for a "good man" suggests that even this more plausible scenario still requires an exceptional act of courage and boldness, highlighting that such a sacrifice is far from common or easy, even for a worthy recipient.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die":** This clause establishes the extreme rarity of self-sacrifice for someone who is merely upright or just. It suggests that while a righteous person might be respected, their character alone is generally not enough to compel another to lay down their life for them. The act of dying for another is so profound that it is almost unheard of in such a circumstance.
* **"yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die":** This second clause presents a slight, yet still exceptional, contrast. The "good man" (one who is benevolent, kind, or beneficial) might, "peradventure" (perhaps, possibly), inspire someone to "dare" to die for them. This indicates a higher, though still very improbable, likelihood. The word "dare" underscores that even this scenario requires extraordinary courage and is not a common occurrence. The distinction between "righteous" and "good" highlights different levels of perceived worthiness in human eyes, influencing the likelihood of ultimate sacrifice.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs **Rhetorical Contrast** in this verse, distinguishing between a "righteous man" and a "good man" to set up an even greater contrast with God's love in the subsequent verse. The use of "scarcely" and "peradventure" combined with "dare" creates a sense of **Understatement** (or litotes), emphasizing just how rare and difficult such human sacrifice is, even for the most esteemed individuals. This highlights the human limitations of love and worthiness. The entire verse functions as a **Proleptic Analogy**, foreshadowing and preparing the reader for the truly astonishing revelation of Christ's death for the ungodly, which transcends all human ethical frameworks and expectations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 5:7 serves as a crucial theological pivot, laying the groundwork for understanding the unparalleled nature of God's love. By illustrating the conditional and rare instances of human sacrifice—even for those deemed "righteous" or "good"—Paul magnifies the radical, unconditional love of God demonstrated in Christ. This verse underscores that human love, even at its noblest, is often predicated on perceived worth or benefit, whereas divine love is freely given to the unworthy. It sets the stage for the revelation that Christ's sacrifice was not for deserving individuals, but for humanity in its state of sin and ungodliness, thereby establishing the foundation for reconciliation and eternal life.

* [John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One")
* [1 John 4:10](/1_john/4-10 "1 John 4:10 - God's Love in Sending His Son")
* [Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4-5 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - God's Mercy and Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 5:7 invites us to deeply ponder the nature of love and sacrifice, both human and divine. It challenges our innate tendency to value people based on their perceived righteousness or goodness, revealing the inherent limitations of such a perspective. If even the most virtuous among us rarely inspire the ultimate sacrifice from others, how much more astonishing is God's willingness to sacrifice His Son for us, who were utterly undeserving? This verse should cultivate profound humility and gratitude, reminding us that our salvation is not earned but is a pure gift of God's boundless grace. It calls us to reflect on the depth of God's love for us, which transcends all human categories of merit, and to consider how this divine love should shape our own interactions and willingness to love and serve others, even those we might deem "unworthy."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the distinction between a "righteous man" and a "good man" teach us about human criteria for valuing others?**
* **How does the rarity of human sacrifice, even for the "good," deepen your appreciation for Christ's sacrifice?**
* **In what ways might our own love be conditional, and how can we strive to emulate God's unconditional love?**

### FAQ
**What is the difference between a "righteous man" and a "good man" in this context?**

Answer: In this context, Paul uses two distinct Greek words to describe different facets of human character. A "righteous man" (Greek: _díkaios_) refers to someone who is just, upright, and adheres to moral or legal standards. They are ethically correct and perhaps respected for their integrity. A "good man" (Greek: _agathós_), however, implies someone who is not only upright but also actively benevolent, kind, and beneficial to others. While a righteous person might command respect, a good person might inspire deeper affection, gratitude, or loyalty due to their active virtue and positive impact on others' lives. Paul suggests that while dying for a merely "righteous" person is extremely rare, there is a slightly greater, though still extraordinary, possibility of someone "daring" to die for a "good" person, highlighting the varying degrees of human motivation for ultimate sacrifice.

**Why does Paul make this distinction before talking about Christ's death?**

Answer: Paul makes this distinction to create a powerful rhetorical contrast that magnifies the uniqueness and supremacy of God's love, as revealed in [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love"). By first establishing the highest, yet still conditional and rare, forms of human sacrifice, he sets a baseline. If humans scarcely die for the merely just, and only "dare" to die for the actively benevolent, how much more astonishing is it that Christ died for us "while we were still sinners" and "ungodly" ([Romans 5:6](/romans/5-6 "Romans 5:6 - Christ Died for the Ungodly"))? This comparison highlights that God's love transcends all human notions of worthiness, merit, or reciprocity, demonstrating its truly unconditional and radical nature.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 5:7, by setting human sacrifice as a rare and conditional act, perfectly illuminates the unparalleled and unconditional nature of Christ's atoning work. While humanity might scarcely consider dying for a "righteous" person, and only "dare" to die for a "good" one, Christ did not die for the worthy, but for the utterly unworthy. As [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love") declares, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." This is the ultimate fulfillment of love, demonstrating that God's love is not contingent upon our merit or goodness, but is a proactive, self-sacrificial outpouring of grace. Christ's death on the cross, therefore, transcends any human act of courage or benevolence, fulfilling the deepest need for reconciliation between a holy God and sinful humanity ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - The Ministry of Reconciliation")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), a sacrifice made not for the "good," but for the "ungodly," thereby establishing the new covenant and offering eternal life to all who believe ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Mediator of the New Covenant")).

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

John 15:13

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 16:4

Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

1 John 3:16

Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.

Acts 11:24

For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

2 Samuel 18:27

And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He [is] a good man, and cometh with good tidings.

Psalms 112:5

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

2 Samuel 18:3

But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now [thou art] worth ten thousand of us: therefore now [it is] better that thou succour us out of the city.