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I. THE MORAL PROSTRATION OF HUMANITY. "When we were yet without," not muscular or mental, but moral "strength."

1. To effect the deliverance of self. The souls of all were "carnal, sold under sin." Man, the world over, felt this profoundly for ages. His cry was — "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me?" etc. Philosophers, priests, poets, tried to deliver the soul, but failed.

2. To render acceptable service to the Creator. "Wherewithal shall we come before the Lord, and how shall we bow before the Most High God?"

3. To face the future with calmness. Deep in the hearts of all men was the belief in a future life, but that future rose before them in aspects so terrible that they recoiled from it. No weakness so distressing as this; moral powerlessness is not only a curse, but a crime. Yet all unregenerate men are the subjects of this lamentable prostration.

II. THE REINVIGORATING POWER OF CHRIST'S DEATH. "In due time Christ died for the ungodly." Christ's death enables man —

1. To deliver himself. It generates within him a new spiritual life, by which he throws off its enthrallments as the winged chrysalis its crust. Christ's death is the life of souls.

2. To render acceptable service to God. It presents to him —

(1)  The right motive.

(2)  The right method.

3. To calmly face the future. Christ's death reveals a bright future, and furnishes the means for attaining it. Christ's death is the moral power of the world. It inspires men with love — love is power; with faith — faith is power; with hope — hope is power; with courage — courage is power.

III. THE SEASONABLE PERIOD OF THE REDEEMER'S MISSION. "In due time," i.e. —

1. When the world was prepared to appreciate it. Mankind had tried every means they could invent to deliver themselves from the power of sin, to attain the approval of their Maker, and to win a bright future, but had failed. Four thousand years of earnest philosophisings and sacerdotal labour, legislative enactments, and moral teachings, had signally failed. "The world by wisdom knew not God." The intellect of Judaea, Greece, Rome, all failed. The world was prostrate in hopelessness.

2. The time appointed by Heaven. The time had been designated by the prophets (Genesis 49:10; Daniel 9:27; John 17:1).

3. The time most favourable for the universal diffusion of the fact.

(1) There was a general expectation of a Great Deliverer.

(2) The world was at peace, and mainly under the control of one government — Rome.

(3) The Greek language was all but universally spoken.

(4) Communications were opened up between all the villages, towns, and cities of the world. "In due time Christ died."

(D. Thomas, D. D.)

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KJV: For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

WEB: For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.