Romans 8:31-39

KJV

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

Rom 8:32  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? 

Rom 8:33  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 

Rom 8:34  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. 

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 

Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 

Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 

Rom 8:39  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. 

Main Points: This section comes after Paul’s exhortation that God will glorify those He adopts, so any suffering simply will not compare to the glory. And we can rely on this gospel! He puts God/Jesus in the seat of ultimate authority. It ends his life/death dissertation (chaps. 5-8). He completely associates himself with this sentiment since it looks to God/Jesus for answers to our lives.

23. Looking at verses 31-32, what exactly is God going to give us because He is for us and did not spare His own Son? “All things.”  No doubt, “all things” as pertains to Godliness, a more spiritual life, freedom from sin/law, justification, faith, grace, mercy, holiness, sanctification, eternal life, heirs with Christ. All those things he has been alluding to!

24. Can charges be brought against God’s elect? (33) How does God solve the problem? No. God is the one who justifies! This is a direct statement against those attempting to bind the old laws on Christians. ANY system of law for that fact.

25. Who can bring a condemnation against us? (34) Extending verse 33 – No one can condemn the Christian (before God). We are brothers and sisters of the Son! Paul makes an authoritative play with words by putting Jesus at the right hand of God. Jesus speaks for us before the King….who would look to accuse anyone in that position?

26. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? No one and nothing. This language raises the question of the level of possible suffering Christians were facing at this time. No doubt, the Jewish leaders has not adopted Christianity and fought it at the governmental/religious levels. In Rome and surrounding areas, it became financially perilous to be Christian as well. Eventually Christianity became a death sentence. Paul addresses persecution as a possibility, but inconsequential to the love of God. God’s love in the Christian life is just more important than any physical suffering.

27. What point is Paul driving at with these rhetorical questions? The immediate encouragement cannot be ignored. God loves His children and nothing can change that. To the Jewish listener, Paul uses terms they recognize: “God’s elect”   “justified”  “right hand of God”  “(nothing) shall be able to separate us from the love of God”. These are things the Jews would value and have a history of wanting. He finishes it with “which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” He is purposefully associating Jesus and God. The implication is “this is where we need to be, stop teaching adherence to law.”

We must note Paul’s use of personal pronouns. He really makes sure to let them know when what he says is good: us/we  vs. when things are wrong – they, them, you.

Chap. 1 “they” focus on Gentiles

Chap. 2-3a  “you” focus on Jews

Chap. 3b “We” Jews-Gentiles by faith

Chap. 4 – Faith/grace – Abraham

Chaps 5-8 – “We, Us, Our” 

5- We have been justified by faith, …access by faith into this grace in which we stand,  we rejoice in hope …, we rejoice in our sufferings, hope does not put us to shame, …God’s love has been poured into our hearts, …the Holy Spirit who has been given to us, … we have been justified by his blood,  ….we shall  be saved from the wrath of God, while we were still enemies we were reconciled,  we will be saved by His life, we rejoice in God through Jesus through whom we have received reconciliation.

6- What shall we say, are we to continue in sin,  we died to sin, all of us have been baptized into Christ, we were buried with Him, ….as Christ rose from the dead we too might walk in newness,  we have been united with Him in death…we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection. We know our old self was crucified with Him, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. If we died with Christ, we will also live with Him. We know Christ….will never die again.

YOU must consider yourselves dead to sin (and alive to God). For the remainder of chapter 6 Paul references his audience as you and your ….because they were slaves of sin (16).

7- Paul continues with YOU for those who want to practice law/sin (5). He interjects “we” statements when addressing being released from law(6)

8- More me/we/us vs. they  - “Jesus made me free from sin” “….righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us”   “they that are in the flesh cannot please God” etc

Romans 8:18-30

KJV

Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 

Rom 8:20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 

Rom 8:21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 

Rom 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 

Rom 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 

Rom 8:24  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 

Rom 8:25  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 

Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

Rom 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Main Points: A LOT to unpack here. This is an extension to verse 17  ….fellow heirs with Christ provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be GLORIFIED. After shutting down any thought of serving law/sin and giving ourselves over to God, Paul explains how the Spirit works on our behalf. It’s all part of a linear walk….on a path designed and instituted by God that leads us to Him into His glory.

16. What do you learn from verse 18? Staying in context, these members, especially the Jewish members were being asked to completely change their belief systems. They were being told they were choosing sin over God…and…..they lacked faith evidenced in their willingness to sin and continue to adhere to the law. This was indeed the suffering for this audience. There was much…MUCH more persecutions coming for the church. Nero’s persecution was just around the corner. There were sporadic financial repercussions for being Christian…I’m not so sure this is what Paul is addressing. He is looking to draw in the reader…he understands these things are not easy. He explains it as trading up: “what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us.” That statement is in line with his teaching for a spiritual life….away from sin, away from law.

17. How was the creation subjected to futility? (19-20) Explain. Okay, I’ll try not to get our heads spinning over this. But this is quite extraordinary. Paul seems to indicate that creation itself suffers corruption (because of the fall of man). Creation is personified and is waiting for mankind’s redemption back to God (evidenced when our bodies are redeemed). Once God achieves this with mankind, mankind will no longer be in subjection to corruption, and neither will creation. The term “futility” or “vanity (KJ)” denotes emptiness. Or vis-à-vis: a useless existence.

18. Why is the whole creation groaning? (22)  - Because of verses 19-20, but with the added context of child birth. I’m not certain that creation is necessarily groaning out of having to wait so long, or out of anticipation, but rather this new church….this new gospel is formed and ready to be added to the world as a new life. It’s not easy, and afterwards all lives within its sphere will change. Creation is ready to have meaning again…no longer empty, futile and vain.

19. Why are we (they) groaning? (23) For the same reasons creation was groaning these first saints…and I suppose all the saints before them and us are anticipating and hoping for this great time of redemption (our bodies returning to their original incorruptible state)! This is thousands of years in the making.

20. Explain verse 26. 26/27 Comes off the concept of hope (faith) being THE THING that saves us. And like creation, we wait patiently for isalvation. 26/27 are a call to pray in the spirit that the Spirit may intercede for us. I’m not convinced that all of the references to the “spirit” are the Holy Spirit here. I think verse 27 is since it speaks of an entity that does what mankind cannot (search hearts). But it makes more contextual sense that WE are to pray spiritually. Paul’s main message is a call to spirituality. What does it mean to pray in the spirit? (see next question)

21. Explain verse 28. The main point here is not just that things will work for good for those who love God! (though it is a powerful, lovely sentiment) The main point here is we are called according to His purpose! (See notes below) Being called in this instance means we have been invited. What a gracious God! We have been invited to that which He has purposed. That includes everything Paul has been arguing….trust Him, faith in Jesus, drawing near to them, being more like them. With these things as our standard, that is when we approach God in spiritual prayer.  

22. Explain verses 29-30. Let’s not get hung up in the weeds on this. Paul’s main point is glorification (see verse 17)….everything between 17 and 30 is for this conclusion. God will glorify us through Jesus! This is where we have our hope. This was ALWAYS GOD’S PLAN! EVEN CREATION KNEW IT AND WAITED FOR IT! The question becomes what does God know? Do we really have free moral agency? Can we fall, or are we “predestined” to heaven or hell before we are even born?
Oy.
Believe it or not God has faith in mankind! Read any of the messianic verses or old testament references where God talks about putting His law onto the heart. God FOREKNEW he could persuade some to see Him for the loving Father he is. Those who seek after this are predestinated to be CONFORMED in the image of Jesus…..it was always a part of the PLAN. Once someone does this Pauls explains the chain reaction that happens afterward: Called – Jusitfied – Glorified. (called in this sense denotes to be urged on)

Additional:

18) suffering- G3804  πάθημα pathēma path'-ay-mah From a presumed derivative of G3806; something undergone, that is, hardship or pain; subjectively an emotion or influence: - affection, affliction, motion, suffering.

Root words depict a passionate suffering (including emotional)

 Glory(ious): 18, 21)  G1391  δόξα doxa dox'-ah From the base of G1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literally or figuratively, objectively or subjectively): - dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship.   Root word means  …”to think….be of good reputation…”   (AS IS APPLIED TO MANKIND)  

30) G1392_ δοξάζω doxazō dox-ad'-zo From G1391; to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application): - (make) glorify (-ious), full of (have) glory, honour, magnify.   (GOD IS DOING THE APPLYING FOR MANKIND)                                                                    

 19,20,21,22,23) Creation (or creature in KJ) G2937 κτίσις ktisis ktis'-is From G2936; original formation – root words mean “to fabricate”

20) futility G3153 -(vanity KJ) ματαιότης mataiotēs mat-ah-yot'-ace From G3152; inutility; figuratively transientness; morally depravity:
Root word means “empty”

Groan-
22) G4959 sustenazō soos-ten-ad'-zo From G4862 and G4727; to moan jointly, that is, (figuratively) experience a common calamity: - groan together.

23) G4727 στενάζω stenazō sten-ad'-zo From G4728; to make (intransitively be) in straits, that is, (by implication) to sigh, murmur, pray inaudibly: - with grief, (root word means “narrow”)

26)  G4726 στεναγμός stenagmos sten-ag-mos' From G4727; a sigh: - groaning

22) together in the pains of childbirth: G4944 συνωδίνω sunōdinō soon-o-dee'-no From G4862 and G5605; to have (parturition) pangs in company (concert, simultaneously) with, that is, (figuratively) to sympathize (in expectation of relief from suffering): - travail in pain together.

23) Redemtion: G629 ἀπολύτρωσις apolutrōsisap-ol-oo'-tro-sis From a compound of G575 and G3083; (the act) ransom in full, that is, (figuratively) riddance, or (specifically) Christian salvation: - deliverance, redemption. – root words mean “off” “loosen”

28) Called G2822 κλητός klētos klay-tos' From the same as G2821; invited, that is, appointed, or (specifically) a saint: - called.

30) G2564 καλέω kaleō kal-eh'-o Akin to the base of G2753; to “call” (properly aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise): - bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-) name (was [called]).
Base word means: to urge on

29) Foreknew: G4267 προγινώσκω proginōskō prog-in-oce'-ko From G4253 and G1097; to know beforehand, that is, foresee: - foreknow (ordain), know (before).

29, 30) Predestinate: G4309 προορίζω proorizō pro-or-id'-zo From G4253 and G3724; to limit in advance, that is, (figuratively) predetermine: - determine before, ordain, predestinate. Root words mean “fore” “bound(ry)”

Interecession-
26)- G5241 ὑπερεντυγχάνω huperentugchanō  hoop-er-en-toongkhan'-o From G5228 and G1793; to intercede in behalf of: - make intercession for – Root words mean  “over” and “confer with”

27) G1793 ἐντυγχάνω entugchanō en-toong-khan'-o From G1722 and G5177; to chance upon, that is, (by implication) confer with; by extension to entreat (in favor or against): - deal with, make intercession. Root words mean “position” “bring to pass”

Romans 8:12-17

Rom 8:12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 

Rom 8:13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 

Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 

Rom 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 

Rom 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 

Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 

Main Points: Paul further explains the Christian walk. 1-11 Defines the reasoning behind becoming a Spiritual Person….putting the mind on God through Christ. 12-17 Defines WHAT that makes us for pursuing that: God’s children….Heirs….With Jesus.

10. Why are we debtors? What are we debtors to? (12) See chapter six and Paul’s analogies on slavery (service). Well…Paul has just indicated that Jesus and God must dwell in us (11). That is a gift -chapters 3,5. More specifically, he also asserts that we are SLAVES/SERVANTS to something regardless what we do. If we were servants to the law, we gain nothing (sin/death). God has FREED us from that through Jesus. That seems a pretty good debt to accrue. DEBTOR: G3781 ὀφειλέτης opheiletēs of-I let'-ace From G3784; an ower, that is, a person indebted –Root word means to “be under obligation”

11. What does it mean to be led by the spirit? (14) See 6:16: Obedience leads to righteousness, 6:17: Obedient from the heart, 6:18: Set free from sin, slaves to righteousness, 6:22 Slaves to God. This is an attitude, or view of the physical world as belonging to God, and I belong to God, and, I need to exhibit this truth in my life. Obedience is the evidence. NOT rote obedience. Christian do what they do (obedience/good deeds) out of our love/understanding of what our God has afforded the world through His son.

12. What does it mean to be “sons of God?” (14) Sons: G5207 υἱός uihos hwee-os' Apparently a primary word; a “son”. Not much left to interpretation. God makes us part of the family. BAM!

13. Explain verse 15. What is the spirit of slavery and the spirit of adoption? What does it mean to cry “Abba, Father?”  Extending the idea of slavery/bond-servant (Chapter 6): The one in this case is freed to join the family. Slavery is working for wages. An adopted child works for the Father….for whatever the Father endeavors. He sleeps in the same house, eats at His table, grows His kingdom, defends His name.  Abba: G5: Ἀββᾶ Abba ab-bah' Of Chaldee origin [H2]; father – Father: G3962 πατήρ patēr pat-ayr' Apparently a primary word; a “father” (literally or figuratively, near or more remote): - father, parent. This greeting/beseeching has multiple layers of meaning. Father is the sense that the one invoked is relied upon. Father in the familial sense. It brings a tone of familiarity (but never irreverence). This makes perfect sense when we speak of a God that seeks to DRAW US NEAR to Him.

14. How does the Spirit bear witness/testify with our spirit? (16) This will not happen unless we align ourselves with God. The Spirit (HS) is the finisher of the Plan and reveals how we comply to His will. (As what Paul has been driving at: rejecting sin, aligning ourselves to God through Jesus in faith…exhibited in obedience (a Godly life)).

15. If we are children of God, then what else are we (17)? What does this mean? How do we receive this status? Yup…main point – heirs. Heir with the son Jesus. We’re family now, in God’s house. Jesus inherited the kingdom. We become fellow heirs with Him.
Jesus gained his status through suffering/death. As Paul has indicated (chapter 6), we MUST also die in concert with the death of Jesus. There are also other sufferings the Christian will face for calling on the name of Jesus.