Romans 5:7-8 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.… It was a principle in the breast of every Roman that he owed his life to his country. This being the spirit of the people, gave birth to many illustrious and heroic actions. The spirit of patriotism glowed among the people for many ages of the republic; one hero sprung from the ashes of another, and great men arose from age to age who devoted themselves to death for the public good. These being the most celebrated actions in the history of mankind, the apostle here compares them with the death of Jesus Christ. I. Those who devoted themselves to death for their friends or their country, submitted to a fate which THEY MUST ONE DAY HAVE SUFFERED; but Jesus Christ, who is the true God, and POSSESSETH ETERNAL LIFE, submitted to death for our redemption. II. Those among the sons of men who devoted themselves to death for the good of others, MADE THE SACRIFICE FOR THEIR FRIENDS, for those by whom they were beloved; BUT JESUS DIED FOR HIS ENEMIES. III. He who dies a martyr for the public good, DEPARTS WITH HONOUR; BUT JESUS MADE HIS DEPARTURE WITH IGNOMINY AND SHAME. (J. Logan.) Parallel Verses KJV: For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. |
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