Romans 8:31-37 – A Few Encouraging Questions

Romans 8:31-37

“[31] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? [33] Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. [34] Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? [36] As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

What’s The Point?

If you read the passage above and didn’t get genuinely encouraged by it then read it again. Most of the sentences in this passage are questions, and Paul asks them to highlight and attest to our identity in Christ. No one can condemn us if God says we aren’t condemned; nothing can come against us if God is for us; nothing can separate us from Christ.

Today, we are going to work through the questions one at a time and think about the answers.

What then shall we say to these things? What things are being talked about here? These things likely refers to the passage just before this where Paul talked about the guarantee and outcome of our salvation. And funny enough he answers he answers with another question, but the point Paul is making is like he is saying, “Of course we have our salvation guaranteed; no one can come against God and take it away.” Paul uses a question to show how ridiculous the idea is.

If God is for us, who can be against us? The obvious answer is no one. Who can come against an all-powerful, all-knowing God? No one.

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Again, Paul uses the question to highlight how obvious the answer is. Of course, God is going to give us everything we need, he sacrificed his Son so we could have abundant life not a mediocre life.

Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? & Who is to condemn? Picture a courtroom. The judge has just declared someone not guilty. But as soon as the gavel slams down to dismiss the courtroom a child walks in and says, “Hmmm, I think he’s guilty.” That might be cute, but who’s word actually matters? The judge! That is the point Paul is making here. God has declared us righteous; it would be ridiculous for someone to try and overrule God’s statement.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Again, Paul is asking if there is anything more powerful than an all-powerful God. If Christ claims us then there is nothing that can take us away. It reminds me of the song Before the Throne of God Above which says, “My name is graven on his hands; my name is written on his heart. I know that while in heaven he stands, no tongue can bid me thence depart.” Paul even lists real concerns for believers, which highlights the fact the God’s power is greater than evil, or violence, or even death.

Paul then finishes this thought out by summarizing it with a simple statement. Notice, it does not only say, “We are more than conquerors,” because that statement wouldn’t be completely true. None of us would be able to conquer anything without Christ. Without Christ we would still be in our sin, still condemned, and still without hope. But thanks be to God that we are conquerors because of him who conquered sin for us!

Scripture Memorization

Romans 8:38–39

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

(We will be memorizing these two verses over the next section as well.)

Prayer

How can it be that I am guaranteed eternal salvation. I know my own thoughts, and you know them too, Lord. How is it that you still love me and choose me? How is it that I have not lost my salvation? I have not lost my salvation because it is not mine to lose. Praise God! Christ has purchased me with his blood, and the Spirit now lives inside of me. I am a child of God! I trust and rejoice in you, the God of my salvation. I know you will never leave me or let me go. Help me cling to you tightly and never let go.

Reflection

1. Who is there to condemn you if you are in Christ? What is there that can come against you if you are in Christ?
2. Christ’s righteousness overcomes and overpowers anything and everything we have done and will do. Do you have trouble accepting this reality?

Discussion Questions

1. Is there anything that can separate you from the love of Christ?
2. Sometimes accepting the grace of God seems too good to be true. Do you ever struggle with this thought or others like it?