For Me to Live Is Jesus
For me to live is Jesus
The hymn embodies core Lutheran theology by making Christ the singular focus of Christian existence and life's meaning, reflecting the doctrine of justification by faith. It expresses the paradox of Christian living—that dying to self and living for Christ constitutes true life—central to Lutheran understanding of sanctification.
History & Background
Written by Danish hymnist Kristian Ostian Gjellerup in 1889, the hymn reflects Scandinavian Lutheran piety emphasizing Christ as the center of Christian life. Translated into English by George A. T. Ryberg in 1929, it entered Lutheran hymnals through The Lutheran Hymnal and has remained a staple of Lutheran worship.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 458
- Lutheran Service Book — 742
- Lutheran Worship — 267
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 597
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Danish author Kristian Gjellerup in 1889, this hymn reflects a Lutheran conviction that Christ's redemptive work transforms dying to self into the Christian's supreme gain, making Him life itself.
Preaching Connection
This hymn powerfully embodies the Gospel's reversal: the Law strips away false life-securities, while the Gospel reveals that losing everything for Christ means gaining everything that truly matters—a paradox Luther knew well.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law reveals emptiness of worldly gain and pride; Gospel proclaims Christ's sacrificial love as sole worthy object of devotion; believer responds with total surrender of self and possessions
Themes
Christ-centeredness Sanctification Living faith Christian devotion Christological focus