31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39 KJV)
Commentary
The apostle closes this discourse upon the privileges of believers with a holy triumph in the name of all the saints. Having set forth the mystery of God’s love to us in Christ, and the precious privileges we enjoy by him, he concludes: What shall we then say to these things? (Ro 8:31). He speaks as one amazed with the contemplation of it, wondering at the breadth and depth of the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge. If Paul was at a loss what to say, no marvel if we be. Here he comforts himself and all the people of God, upon the consideration of these privileges. In general, he makes a challenge, daring all the enemies of the saints: If God be for us, who can be against us? The ground of the challenge is God’s being for us. He is not only reconciled to us, but in covenant with us, engaged for us; all his attributes and promises are for his people. Even when he seems to act against them, he is still for them. If so, who can prevail against us? Let Satan do his worst, he is chained; let the world do its worst, it is conquered; principalities and powers are spoiled and triumphed over in the cross of Christ (Col 2:15).
We have supplies ready in all our wants: He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Ro 8:32). He spared not his own Son, but parted with him for the salvation of poor souls, not thinking him too precious a gift, as was said of Abraham (Ge 22:12). Thus he delivered him up, not only for our good, but in our stead, a propitiation for sin. Since he has given his Son, shall he deny us any good thing? Surely not. He will with him freely give us all things needful (Ps 34:10). He that prepared a crown and kingdom for us will give us enough to bear our charges in the way.
We have an answer to all accusations and security against all condemnations: Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? (Ro 8:33-34). Conscience may accuse, Satan accuses day and night (Rev 12:10), men may condemn, but God justifies. He is the judge and the offended party, and his judgment is according to truth. And we have this plea: It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. His death paid our debt; his resurrection was his discharge; his sitting at the right hand of God shows his work finished and his power supreme; his intercession secures us, for he appears in God’s presence for us. What matter then for accusations or condemnations of men? He that judgeth me is the Lord (1Co 4:4).
We have assurance of preservation: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Ro 8:35). Shall tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter (Ps 44:22). The saints of old endured the same; suffering is no strange thing. Yet none of these things can separate us from Christ’s love. He does not love us the less for them; when Paul was forsaken by men, the Lord stood by him (2Ti 4:16-17). Nor do we love him the less; a true Christian loses all for Christ and still thinks well of him.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us (Ro 8:37). We conquer, though killed all the day long, by faith and patience, Christ’s way of triumph. We are more than conquerors, conquering with little loss and great gain: the spoils are glory, honour, and a crown of righteousness. As afflictions abound, consolations much more abound (2Co 1:5). Many martyrs triumphed with joy in flames and prisons, being more than conquerors. This is only through Christ that loved us, whose death took the sting from suffering, whose Spirit strengthens us, and whose victory secures ours (Jn 16:33).
Paul concludes: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ro 8:38-39). Death nor life, good angels nor bad, present troubles nor future, prosperity nor adversity, nothing in heaven or earth—none of these can separate us. The love between God and believers is through Christ, the Mediator of our love. God rests in this love (Zep 3:17), because Jesus Christ, in whom he loves us, is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8).
Mr. Hugh Kennedy, an eminent Christian of Ayr, when dying, called for a Bible; but, finding his sight gone, said, “Turn me to the eighth of the Romans, and set my finger at these words, I am persuaded that neither death nor life… Now, is my finger upon them?” When told it was, he said, “Now, God be with you, my children; I have breakfasted with you, and shall sup with my Lord Jesus Christ this night,” and so departed.