Seven Questions in Romans 8

What shall we then say to these things?  (8:31)

 

1. All of Romans, and especially this eighth chapter, should give great comfort, hope, peace, joy.
2. What should our response be? Can you believe it! Wow! We are blessed forever. Incredible!
3. What are these things we should understand in this place? They include a great deal in context.
   1. There is no condemnation for those in Christ, in spite of sinful members (Romans 8:1-16).
   2. God will soon reveal us to the universe as His dear and glorious children (Rom 8:17-25).
   3. The Holy Spirit prays for us in our infirmities in ways above our ability (Rom 8:26-27).
   4. All things in life and time work together by God’s sovereign will for our good (Rom 8:28).
   5. All God’s eternal purposes and operations work toward final glorification (Rom 8:29-30).
4. What should we say to ourselves, and what should we say to each other, based on gospel truth?
   1. What else have you heard or could you ever hear that can even come close to this here?
   2. The gospel greatly changed some lives, like our brother Paul, to go all-in for Jesus Christ.
   3. He exhorted the Thessalonians to comfort each other about the Lord’s return (I Thess 4:18).
   4. No matter what goes wrong in your life, all contained in this chapter will go right for you.
   5. And there is no comparison, as Paul already made the comparison for you (Romans 8:18).
   6. No matter what ruler makes what promises, they cannot change things much, as in 5/2025.
   7. Instead of discussing MAGA more than once a month, we should discuss these things daily.
   8. Paul raised a question from what he had written, and then he gave the inspired answer to it.

 

If God be for us, who can be against us?  (8:31)

 

1. Paul raised a question from what he had written, and then he gave the inspired answer to it.
2. Note the personal enemies here – who (31), who (33), who (34), who (35), and powers (38).
3. As John was surprised by the RCC (Rev 17:6), think Jews invoking God to condemn Christians as blasphemers (as Jesus), and then delivering them to the secular power for death (as Jesus).
4. When the RCC took full rule, trials were officiated by “Christians” and national powers killed.
5. No one can be against us … successfully … on earth, men or devils … in heaven, men or devils!
6. These Christians in Rome had political enemies (pagan Romans) and religious enemies (Jews).
   1. If God is on our side and working all these things in our favor, no enemy can oppose us.
   2. We are invincible in life or in death, in pain or in prosperity, because of God’s great gifts.
   3. All the operations of grace are certain and sure to those elect called by His eternal purpose.
   4. What kind of doubts, fears, or anxiety is appropriate in light of these precious promises?
7. Our situation is very different, which does not lessen the value here, but calls for double praise.
   1. The DOJ has a Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias in the federal government.
   2. By First Amendment rights, we have no state church or religion to oppose or persecute us.
   3. Thus, we owe total devotion to God and Christ for all written here … and for great freedom.
8. This confident and triumphant spirit of the righteous over their enemies is for all His saints.
   1. God told Abram after his great victory that He was his shield and great reward (Gen 15:1).
   2. Moses exhorted the Israelites their superiority to all foes through their God (Deut 33:29).
   3. David rejoiced that by His God he had run through a troop and leaped a wall (Psalm 18:29).
   4. Isaiah encouraged himself and others in the defense that God would make (Isaiah 54:17).
   5. Jeremiah encouraged himself of the good outcome by having God on his side (Jer 20:11).
   6. aul exhorted the Hebrew saints to boldly declare their total trust in God (Heb 13:5-6).
   7. John declared that true believers have a greater ally in them than in the world (I John 4:4).

 

How shall he not with him also freely give us all things?  (8:32)

 

1. The answer to this question was given before it was asked, in the verse’s logical progression.
2. This is one of the greatest salvation verses in this chapter and in the Bible for much assurance.
3. The logical equation here is transcendently powerful and true to guarantee all for the elect.
4. To confirm what he wrote of God being for them, Paul argued God giving His Son for them.
   1. The great proof of God’s love for His own is the gift of His Son (John 3:16; I John 4:9-10).
   2. There is in these words the inspired implication that God gave the dearest gift He could.
   3. He did not spare, delivering Him to bruising and death for enemies (Is 53:10; Rom 5:8-10).
   4. Yet nature teaches that fathers spare obedient sons, which Jesus did perfectly (Mal 3:17).
   5. Abraham spared not his own son for God, but God spared not His own son for enemies.
5. The sending of Jesus Christ, God’s own Son, argues powerfully from the greater to the lesser.
   1. If God sent Jesus to die for you, which is the costliest gift He could give, you shall surely receive all the other benefits as well, which are less costly than sending His own Son.
   2. How could God send His greatest gift for His sons and not also give everything else?
   3. There is nothing else in heaven worth more than His Son, so all heaven shall be yours.
   4. If you do not receive all the benefits, either God is a liar or Jesus did not die for you.
6. Jesus Christ and all spiritual blessings in Him are gifts freely given (Romans 3:24; 5:16,18).
   1. It is not an offer, as many portray, in which you must do something to make gifts yours.
   2. Jesus offered himself to God, by the Spirit, and was accepted for the elect (Heb 9:14).
   3. God gave the elect to Jesus; He gave Jesus for the elect, and Jesus gives them eternal life.
7. We should ask ourselves, “How shall we not in return give Him all things?” (II Cor 5:14-15).

 

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?  (8:33)

 

1. Note the personal enemies here – who (31), who (33), who (34), who (35), and powers (38).
2. As John was surprised by the RCC (Rev 17:6), think Jews invoking God to condemn Christians as blasphemers (as Jesus), and then delivering them to the secular power for death (as Jesus).
3. When the RCC took full rule, trials were officiated by “Christians” and national powers killed.
4. Paul confirmed his words that no enemies could succeed by raising justification (Rom 8:33).
   1. If God is for us from foreknowledge to glorification, no one can by any means charge us.
   2. Though we do sin and might fear charges of sin from devils or men, God has justified us.
   3. The devil might afflict them with fiery darts of doubt about salvation, but God has justified.
   4. Judaizing enemies of the gospel could visit from Jerusalem and charge, but God justified.
   5. Pagan Nero could charge with capital sedition or treason against Rome, but God justified.
   6. Pope Innocent III could charge with heresy and eternal damnation, but God justified them.
   7. No man can charge the elect with sin … nor charge them with conditions to be justified.
5. Elect here refers back to God’s foreknowledge and predestination (Eph 1:3-6 cp I Peter 1:2).
   1. God made the choice and predestinated those chosen to be accepted in Christ (Eph 1:3-6).
   2. Justification is by Christ’s obedience and blood sprinkling, based on election (I Peter 1:2).
6. God is the justifier, for He is Judge, and He accounts His Son’s righteousness to and for us.
   1. Paul stated them free from condemnation opening the chapter (Romans 8:1-4 cp 3:24-26).
   2. Righteousness is mainly a legal transaction by the Second Adam’s obedience (Rom 5:19).
   3. Here is justification defined: freedom from any charges that would make a person guilty.

 

Who is he that condemneth?  (8:34)

 

1. Note the personal enemies here – who (31), who (33), who (34), who (35), and powers (38).
2. As John was surprised by the RCC (Rev 17:6), think Jews invoking God to condemn Christians as blasphemers (as Jesus), and then delivering them to the secular power for death (as Jesus).
3. When the RCC took full rule, trials were officiated by “Christians” and national powers killed.
4. To confirm what he wrote of justification, Paul appealed to Christ’s death and intercession.
5. Who is he that condemneth? God’s sons struggle against conscience, enemies, and the devil.
   1. Paul stated them free from condemnation opening the chapter (Romans 8:1-4 cp 3:24-26).
   2. The elect know by conscience they are sinners and under God’s condemnation (Rom 7:24).
   3. Enemies, like the Jews, condemned such believers that justification was by Moses’ Law.
   4. The devil, which cannot accuse us to God due to Christ, accuses us instead (Rev 12:10).
   5. Enemies, like the Romans, condemned these poor saints to death with many false charges.
   6. Let all men, devils, or angels, conscience, reason, or fear condemn … it cannot be done!
   7. Neither Caesar or pope of Rome, or any civil or religious ruler, can condemn the elect.
6. First, no one can condemn the elect, because Jesus Christ the Son of God died for them.
   1. Our Lord’s death was a legal transaction – for our sins; therefore, no one can condemn us.
   2. If any condemn us for sin, Christ died for our sins, and He is the Son of God and Judge.
   3. There is one perfect Mediator between God and men, and He died for us (I Timothy 2:5).
7. Second, no one can condemn the elect, because Jesus Christ the Son of God lives for them.
   1. Jesus died for us, and lest we forget or others accuse, He is alive after His resurrection.
   2. Not only is He alive for us, but He has the keys (authority) of hell and death (Rev 1:18).
   3. We remember His death at the Lord’s Table, but it is a joyful occasion, because He lives!
   4. He rose over all enemies, including death, so we mock with impunity (I Cor 15:17,55-57).
8. Third, no one can condemn the elect, because Jesus Christ the Son of God reigns for them.
   1. He is crowned with glory and honor at God’s right hand as evidence of His total success.
   2. His work completed and God’s approval secured, He was given a seat by God’s throne.
   3. He is Lord of the universe and there is no devil, angel, or man that can move against us.
9. Fourth, no one can condemn the elect, because Jesus the Son of God intercedes for them.
   1. He is at the right hand of God, where He lives forever to intercede (Rom 5:10; Heb 7:25).
   2. This present and continual intercession at God’s right hand is exalted above His death.
   3. He is the Surety of His people, and He lives to guarantee the full completion of His work.

 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  (8:35)

 

1. Jesus Christ died for us and intercedes for us, but how certain and sure is His love for us?
   1. The use of the personal pronoun who reminds us that most of our troubles are by persons.
   2. There are seven terrible troubles of believers listed here, but persons usually cause them.
   3. His legal work to justify us is certain (8:33-34), and so is His affectionate desire for us.
   4. If you have doubts about the constancy and eternity of Christ’s love, what is the cause?
   5. Nothing in heaven, earth, or hell could possibly alter the love of Christ for His brethren.
   6. You may be separated or forgotten by all other lovers, but never by the Lover of Sinners.
2. here is a full answer given in the last two verses of this chapter that saints have always loved.
3. This is no redundant repetition … of Christ’s love and God’s love in Christ (Romans 8:35-39).

 

Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution,

or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  (8:35)

 

1. There is a full answer given in the next two verses of this chapter that overwhelm the question.
   1. Paul quoted from the Psalms about deadly persecution of saints (Rom 8:36; Psalm 44:22).
   2. Paul said saints are more than conquerors to opposition and the seven things (Rom 8:37).
   3. Nay = no way! There is no way the seven things listed can separate us from Christ’s love.
   4. John by the Spirit had his own powerful declaration, Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world (I Jn 4:4).
   5. Our ability and certainty to conquer and overcome all enemies is by our loving Conqueror.
   6. All these things … more than conquerors … which is overwhelming victory by us believers.
   7. Rather than end all trials, God makes them work together for our good (Rom 8:28; 5:3-5).
2. For Christians in others times, facing persecution and martyrdom, these words were precious.
   1. Without suffering persecution and tribulation in a pagan capital, we may miss the sense.
   2. By considering saints at other times, these are very practical worries (Hebrews 11:35-40).
   3. Daniel and Revelation prophesy such calamities on saints (Dan 7:21,25; Rev 13:7; 17:6).
   4. But who could give better testimony to this fact than our brother Paul (II Cor 11:22-33)?
   5. Tribulation will not separate us, Paul and most saints suffered tribulation (Matt 5:10-12; 10:28-31; John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Phil 1:28-30; Heb 12:3; I Pet 4:12-14; Rev 7:9-17).
   6. Distress will not separate us from Christ’s love, for hard circumstances pressing our minds will not alter His work or affection (II Cor 4:8-10; 6:5; 7:5; 12:10; II Tim 2:13).
   7. Persecution will not separate us, for Christ was persecuted, and it is a token of salvation (Matt 5:10-12; II Thess 1:3-5; John 15:18-21; II Cor 4:8-10; II Tim 3:12).
   8. Famine will not separate us, though God’s providence or His enemies starve us, for He is preparing the marriage Supper of the Lamb (II Cor 4:11-12; 11:27; Rev 7:9-17; 19:9).
   9. Nakedness will not separate us, though saints have been destitute of clothes, for He will clothe us with Christ’s righteousness (II Cor 11:27; Heb 11:35-38; Rev 7:9-17; 19:8).
   10. Peril cannot separate from Christ, which are all the dangers of trials, torture, banishment, imprisonment, family separation, and such like (II Cor 11:26; Heb 11:35-40; Rev 1:9-10).
   11. Sword cannot separate from Christ, which is metonymy for death by the sword, or capital punishment, like James and others (Acts 7:55-60; 12:1-2; Rev 2:10; 6:9-11; 12:11).
3. In light of horrific retribution and glorious rewards, the little bruises we get here are nothing.
   1. Rather than feel like losers before great enemies, the martyrs went victoriously to heaven.
   2. The Prince of the kings of the earth will never forsake or ever lose one of us (Jn 6:38-39).
   3. And He will never forget what the enemies did to Christians, just like the Amorites to Israel.