What is the meaning of Romans 8:31?

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31 KJV)

William Burkitt’s Commentary

What shall we say to these things? that is, to the forenamed truths and doctrines, to the aforementioned privileges and benefits, what comfort does arise from them? How shall we live up answerable to them? Neither the tongues of men nor angels is sufficient to declare the comprehensive fulness of the foregoing favour of vocation and justification here and glorification in heaven.

Such love and goodness are beyond expression; it is as much as if the apostle had just said, “What boundless love did our God move?

No tongue can express it: No angel can scan this mystery, nor tell our happiness.”

What shall we say to these things? It follows, If God be for us, who can be against us? That is, seeing God is for us, who can, safely and successfully, be against us?

Learn hence, 1. That at all times, but especially in the time of affliction and distress, danger and difficulty, God ever has been and will be on his people’s side.

2. That those whom God is for, and on whose side he is of, need not fear, either how many or how mighty they are that are against them. God is for his people; that is, he approves and owns them, he assists and helps them, he will succeed and bless them, reward and crown them.

Who then can be against them rationally, against them successfully, against them safely? How dangerous is it to be against those whom God is for? If God be for us, who can be against us? And if God be against us, who can be for us?

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