John Calvin Commentary Romans 14:8

"For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord`s." — Romans 14:8 (ASV)

To the Lord we live, etc. This does not mean the same as when it is said in Romans 6:11, that we are made alive unto God by his Spirit, but that we conform to his will and pleasure, and direct all things to his glory. Nor are we only to live to the Lord, but also to die; that is, our death, as well as our life, is to be referred to his will. He adds the best of reasons, for whether we live or die, we are his: and from this it follows, that he has full authority over our life and our death.

The application of this doctrine opens into a wide field. God therefore claims authority over life and death, so that the condition of belonging to him might be borne by everyone as a yoke laid on them; for it is only just that he should assign to everyone their station and their course of life.

And so we are not only forbidden from rashly attempting this or that without God's command, but we are also commanded to be patient under all troubles and losses. If at any time the flesh draws back in adversities, let us remember that one who is not free nor has authority over himself perverts right and order if he does not depend on the will of his lord.

Thus, we are also taught the rule by which we are to live and die, so that if he extends our life in continual sorrows and miseries, we are not to seek to depart before our time; but if he should suddenly call us away in the flower of our age, we ought always to be ready for our departure.