Romans 8:30-39
Divide this in two parts:
1) 31-34 beginning with “What shall we say in response to this?
a. These verses contain the language of the courtroom
i. “is for us” or “on behalf of us” or on our behalf” (twice verse 31,32, 34)
ii. “gave him up” or “delivered him” or “handed over”
iii. “bring any charge” or “bring a charge against”
iv. “justifies”
v. “condemns”
vi. “interceding” or “supplicates”
2) 35-39 beginning with “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
8:31
Say in Response?
Another rhetorical question.
In response to verses 8:28-30
But, also to the whole of Paul’s Christian theology. Compare this to Romans 5:1-11
If God is for us, who
can be against us
If anyone or anything does come against us, and they will, the only effect they have on us is to
“achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them” (2 Cor. 4:17)
8:32
Did not spare his son
Not like us who are adopted sons, but his own son
How will he not also
graciously give us all things
The most treasured and closest relationship God has was sacrificed for us.
It is ridiculous to thing he will hold back on anything else – physical or spiritual.
8:33
Six ways of punctuating 33-34:
1) Make every statement in 33-34 a question totaling 7
2) Make four questions:
a. Whos shall bring a charge
b. Is not God justifying?
c. Who condemns?
d. Is not Christ Jesus is interceding for us?
3) Make 2 questions followed each by a statement
a. Who shall bring a charge? God has justified us.
b. Who shall condemn us? Jesus Christ is interceding for us.
4) Could anyone accuse us? God has justified us! Could anyone Condemn us? Could Christ Jesus Condemn us? No! He died for us, was raise d to life, is at the fright hand and intercedes for us!
5) Who will bring any charge? God but he justifies us. Who condemns? Christ Jesus and he is interceding for us.
Who will bring any
charge?
God Justifies
8:34
Who is he that
condemns?
Christ Jesus who is
interceding for us.
The concept of “interceding” is from a judicial term. He is defending us today in court.
Jesus died so that we could be justified. But he also was resurrected, ascended to the right hand of the judge and is currently arguing our case before God so that his purpose of dying for us and justifying us will always be applied correctly.
8:35
The courtroom image is left and a new question with new images is used to continue to drive home Paul’s point.
Who shall separate us
from Christ?
“Who” is a universal term that can be applied to anyone, anything, any spirit that can be fit into the term “who”.
All the items mentioned here are also found in (except “sword”):
2 Corinthians 11:26-27 and 12:10 (“sword” is left out of 2 Corinthians because Paul would not personally experience death by the sword until his execution)
8:36
We face death. . .We
are considered as sheep to be slaughtered
Psalm 44:22
8:37
No.
We are more than
conquerors
8:38
I am convinced. .
With the above mentioned evidence Paul now closes with his personal conviction
Neither. . .
Will Be Able
Separate us