Understanding God’s Extraordinary Love in Simple Terms
If you’ve come across the phrase “rarely die for a righteous man,” you might wonder what it really means. This is actually a quote from the Bible, specifically Romans 5:7. The verse says: “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.” But what is the difference between a “righteous” person and a “good” person? And what’s the big deal about someone dying for another person? Let’s break it down in everyday language.
The Difference Between “Righteous” and “Good”
The verse makes a distinction between two types of people:
· Righteous person: This is someone who follows the rules, acts morally, and is just—in other words, someone who does what’s right.
· Good person: This goes beyond just following the rules. A “good” person is someone who is kind, generous, and actively caring toward others.
So, while we might respect a righteous person, a good person is someone we’d feel warmth toward, maybe even love.
Human Sacrifice: Who Would You Die For?
Paul, the writer of Romans, is making a point: it’s extremely rare for anyone to risk their life—even for someone who is upright and just. You might respect someone for being fair, but would you die for them? Most likely not. On the other hand, if someone is not just fair but also kind, loving, and generous—a true “good” person—there’s a slightly greater chance someone might be willing to lay down their life for them. Still, this is uncommon and exceptional.
God’s Love is on Another Level
But here’s the main point: Paul wants us to see just how much greater God’s love is than ordinary human love. People hardly ever sacrifice themselves for someone else, even if that person is good. But God sent Christ to die for us not when we were righteous or good—but while we were still sinners, lost, or even turning our backs on Him.
In other words, Christ died for people who didn’t deserve it—people who weren’t just or kind, people who might even have been against God. That’s what makes God’s love so amazing: it’s offered to everyone, not just those who are especially deserving.
Why Does This Matter?
· It shows the depth of God’s love—He doesn’t wait for us to get everything right before loving us.
· It sets a high standard for forgiveness and generosity—loving even those who don’t “deserve” it.
· It reminds us that grace is a gift, not something we can earn by being good or following all the rules.
In Summary
Romans 5:7 uses the idea that “rarely will anyone die for a righteous person” to highlight how special God’s love is. Human beings might consider sacrificing themselves for someone truly good, but God sent Christ to die for everyone, even while we were sinners. This isn’t just about respecting the rules or being a nice person—it’s about a love that goes far beyond what we usually see in our world. That’s why many people say the love described in this verse is the greatest mystery and the greatest gift there is.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 