Romans 8:28-39 Lesson 299

Romans 8:28-39
Lesson 299

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Can anything separate us from God's love (8:31-38)?

"The inviolable love of Christ (8:31-39). He died for us, has forgiven us. Has given Himself to us in the person of His Spirit. If we are His, no power on earth or in heaven or in hell can prevent His bringing us to Himself in the eternal bosom of God. This is one of the most magnificent passages in all the Bible."

("Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; pg. 589)

This lesson ends the section on Christian sanctification that began with verse 6:1 (lesson 294)

By an unknown artist.

Study Tip:

As you study the Bible, use the investigative journalists' five W's approach.
Ask yourself who, what, when, where, and why as you read each passage.

The Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Romans

The King James Bible

Romans 8:28-39
More than conquerors

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.

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.

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.

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.

Margin notes:

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son." (8:29) - God does not decide who will believe and who won't. He wants everyone to know the truth and be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), but it is our choice. Since God knows all things, He knew before we were born the type of person we would be and whether we would accept Christ as our Savior (2 Timothy 2:19). Paul elaborates on predestination in Romans 9:1-11:36.

"Whom he justified, them he also glorified." (8:30) - Notice Paul's use of the past tense (justified, glorified). God has assured our final glory. Even though it hasn't happened yet, it is an established reality.

"If God be for us, who can be against us?" (8:31) - If God is "for us," then we should never feel discouraged or lose faith.

"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?" (8:32) - If God sacrificed His Son for us, He would give us anything (John 3:16). Giving His Son for our salvation is proof that God is "for us." Who else but a loving God would do that?

"Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect?" (8:33) - Means, "Who could possibly accuse Christians, God's chosen people?"

"Who is he that condemneth?" (8:34) - Who could condemn Christians, they have Jesus as their advocate sitting at the right hand of God (1 John 2:1)?

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (8:35) - Who can force Jesus to stop loving us, and vice versa?

"Tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword." (8:35) - Christians were being persecuted, forced into hiding, and often killed for their faith as this chapter was being written. Still, they stood firm in their faith. God does not make us "immune from trouble; He says - "I will be with him in trouble." Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

"For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." (8:36) - Paraphrased from Psalm 44:22.

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (8:37) - "All these things" refers to the list in verses 8:35-36. Read also Jesus' woods in John 16:33.

"Nor principalities, nor powers." (8:38) - Refers to the invisible forces of evil, Satan (Ephesians 6:12).

New Living Translation

Romans 8:28-39

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love

31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else?

33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one-for God himself has given us right standing with himself.

34 Who then will condemn us? No one-for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

36 (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.")

37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.

39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's Question:

1. How strong is God's love? (8:35)

2. What does Paul mean by, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."? (8:37)

"The idea is not that we do work for God, but that we are so loyal to Him that He can do His work through us."

Oswald Chambers (1874-1917).

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. God's love is stronger than tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword (war).

2. Paul is referring to the things that can separate man from the love of God (8:35). But to those who have been justified, nothing* can come between them and their final glory. With faith in Jesus Christ, Christians can conquer any temptation and overcome any wedge that threatens to come between them and their Savior. God will not forsake them.

*By nothing, is meant no person or thing can cause our fall from grace. We cause our own fall and separation from God (11:22).

Application thought for the day:

To reinforce the feeling of well-being and love from God, re-read verses 8:37-39.

Remember also Psalm 103:2; "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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