John Calvin Commentary Romans 5:7

"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: for peradventure for the good man some one would even dare to die." — Romans 5:7 (ASV)

For a just man, etc. The meaning of the passage has constrained me to render the particle γὰρ as an affirmative or declarative rather than as a causative. The meaning of the sentence is this: "Indeed, such an example is very rarely found among men, that one dies for a just man, though this may sometimes happen; but even if this is granted, yet for an ungodly man, no one will be found willing to die: this is what Christ has done." Thus it is an illustration, derived from a comparison; for such an example of kindness as Christ has exhibited towards us does not exist among men.