We dare not be confident in ourselves. These enemies include both the physical and spiritual world. God who justifieth? There are some that cannot possibly be against them; if Jehovah the Father is not against them, the Son cannot be against them, nor the Spirit; good angels cannot be against them, so far from it, that they rejoice at their good, minister to them, and are a guard about them; the law cannot be against them, because it is fulfilled in them; nor justice, because it is satisfied, and all its demands answered: and though there may be some who may be against them, and oppose themselves to them, yet their opposition is to no purpose; they will never prevail over them to their ruin and destruction; as neither sin, nor Satan, nor the world, nor death itself. All rights reserved. As we grow in our faith and in maturity, we experience more and more peace and confidence from God. But nothing can truly harm us, because nothing can separate us from the love of God. nothing at all, they cannot be contradicted or gainsaid; they are true and faithful sayings; they can never be made void, and of no effect, by hell or earth; nor ought our unbelieving hearts to have anything to say against interest in them: or what is to be said, or inferred "from" them? NLT What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? shall He forgive, shall lay to the charge; He will also forgive us with Him all things, no one shall lay anything to the charge of Godâs elect, He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us. But now, because of Christ, none of “these things” can separate us from God, because he has proven that he is “for us.” Therefore, we have no true rivals. nothing can be added to them, they are a complete set of blessings, wanting nothing; nor can the greatness of them be fully expressed, or the freeness of God's grace displayed in them, sufficiently declared: what remains for us to do, but to be thankful for them, and glory in them? No charge or accusation made against us can stand, because God has provided for our justification and Christ is interceding for us. why, the free, sovereign, unchangeable, and everlasting love of God, in providing and bestowing such benefits; and the certainty of salvation, which is infallibly secured hereby: if God be for us; or, "seeing he is for us", has an affection for us, which appears from the gift of himself, Son, and Spirit, and all the blessings of grace and glory; and is on our side: as that he is on the side of his people, is evident from his preservation of them from the evils of the world and their own corruptions; from the supports he gives them under afflictions and temptations; from his carrying on the work of grace upon them, notwithstanding all the opposition made unto it; and from their safety and security they enjoy by him, notwithstanding the power of their enemies; he is so for them, and on their side, as that he will certainly save them. God is providentially “for us” (8:31). The truth is that we can face anyone and anything because we don’t stand on our own authority but on God. Romans 8:31 “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? ESV What then shall we say to these things? Paul begins chapter 8 with this statement: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” Wow – ok. And he continues: “ 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”. Salem Media Group. - Who can injure or destroy us? What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? If God be for us, who can be against us? This would be to deny His Word and to distrust God. And if any one, by reason of his unbelief, should feel inclined to bring forward anything in opposition to these things (comp. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. Paul has established that God is for all of us who are in Christ; for those who have been saved by their faith. Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect! He who did not even spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all; shall lay anything to the charge of Godâs elect? If we are interested in a life crowned with confidence, this could be our foundational text. He would go through them. If God is for us, who can be against us? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? If God is for us, who can be against us? if God be for us; or, "seeing he is for us", has an affection for us, which appears from the gift of himself, Son, and Spirit, and all the blessings of grace and glory; and is on our side: as that he is on the side of his people, is evident from his preservation of them from the evils of the world and their own corruptions; from the supports he gives them under afflictions and temptations; from his carrying on the work of grace upon them, notwithstanding all the opposition made unto it; and from their safety and security they enjoy by him, notwithstanding the power of their enemies; he is so for them, and on their side, as that he will certainly save them. The logic of our text, seriously applied, pushes us to the heights of confidence. In this life, we often suffer for a while, especially if we are persecuted for our faith. none can be against them. NIV What, then, shall we say in response to these things? How shall he not with him also freely give us all things. This verse means more than the fact that God is graciously disposed toward believers but that He is for us in all that He does. Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. of
Romans 8:31-39 is one of the most encouraging and affirming passages in all of God's Word. Who is he that condemneth? Christ who died? or what can be said "against" them? Compiled & Edited by BST & Crosswalk Staff, Compiled & Edited by BibleStudyTools Staff, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Luke 14:6 , to=in opposition to these things) he cannot do it. What is the use of defending yourself when you already have the Lord as your defender? Romans 8:31-39 teaches us that there are many things that are real and practical enemies to our faith. Explanation and Commentary on Romans 8:31 In this life, we often suffer for a while, especially if we are persecuted for our faith. This is starting to help me understand verse 31 now. The world is fallen, and God has patiently stayed his hand of judgment for everyone who will be saved to come into his Kingdom first. The proposition advanced in this verse, Paul proceeds to illustrate by various specifications, which continue to the end of the chapter. We have nothing to justify but sometimes are called to testify to witness to who Jesus is; In that moment, trust the Holy Spirit to give you the words (Mt 10:19). He would burn them together" (Isa 27:4). Our default should be to say nothing when we are being oppressed, and so be like our Lord. no, since they work together for our good, and are not to be compared with our future glory, which is certain; for if we suffer with, and for Christ, we shall be glorified together: or to these blessings just now mentioned, as the foreknowledge of God, divine predestination, effectual calling, free justification, and eternal glorification, what can be said to these? This he has determined to do, he has sent his Son to obtain salvation for them, his Spirit to apply it to them, and keeps them by his power to the full enjoyment of it: and since this is the case. The world is fallen, and God has patiently stayed his hand of judgment for everyone who will be saved to come into his Kingdom first. #2 “…in response to these things?” What Paul is mainly writing about is what we will say to ourselves and each other about the suffering, especially that of persecution, that we will face in this life from unbelievers and the fallenness of the world. Romans 8:31. πρὸς ταῦτα) to [as regards] these things, which have been spoken of in chapters 3 5 8: that is to say, we cannot go, we cannot think, we cannot wish for anything farther. shall charge God's elect? But this will sometimes mean that Christians will suffer along with the whole creation (Ro 8:18-23). We dare not doubt that we shall be more than conquerors. Who is against us? What strong consolation is here! Proud member
Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Fearing God is the antidote to the fear of anything else.