The author continues with the comparison of wealth and life. The ransom for a life is too costly; no one can meet that. Whatever God requires for life—which comes from him—cannot be paid for; it is impossible, even in eternity it is impossible.
We cannot pass up on this with the thought, but in death everything will work itself out.
That is no comfort to us. From the beginning the author says do not fear those who are wealthy, even when it seems they have much power due to their wealth. But know that the Creator God rules over life and death. It is also true that the rich as well as the poor are struck by death. In the New Testament we read similar warnings, Matthew 16:25–26: For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?
In the parable that Jesus told in Luke 12:16–21 about the rich man’s producing land, we read, But God said to him, Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be? So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.
It is impossible for someone to live forever and never see the pit of the grave. You cannot do anything with money when it comes to life (see Psalm 90:7–10).
8 for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice,