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The Book of Romans, Part 20 – God’s Love

[Study Aired November 28, 2023]

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 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?
Rom 8:33 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34 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. 
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 
Rom 8:36 As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 
Rom 8:39 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. 

In our last study of Romans 8:19-30, the focal point was the transformation from suffering, which is orchestrated by God, to glorification.  The study emphasized the truth that the hardships experienced as believers are not aimless; rather, they are integral components of God’s plan of salvation. The redemptive narrative unfolds as God, in His great wisdom, transforms the groans of creation and the trials of His children into instruments of glory. 

Rom 8:28 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. 

Romans 8:28 serves as a beacon, assuring that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose, showcasing the transformation of suffering into glory. As believers, we find encouragement in knowing that our present struggles, intricately woven into God’s grand plan, are not in vain but rather a pivotal part leading to the manifestation of His glory within us, becoming a source of hope that anchors our faith amid life’s challenges.

 In Romans 8:31-39, we continue the journey through the writings of the Apostle Paul that resonate with a triumphant declaration of God’s unwavering love and the unshakable security found in our relationship with Him. These verses represent a peak of certainty and confidence, urging us to think about how deeply God cares for us and the unwavering connection He forms with His children. As we explore this passage, we’ll discover a divine proclamation that transcends the challenges of life, offering a greater understanding of the inseparable connection between God’s love and our ultimate triumph over any adversary. 

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 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?
Rom 8:33 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

Within the verses of Romans 8:31-33, a resounding declaration of God’s unwavering love and the triumphant victory secured through Christ’s sacrifice echoes. The opening statement in verse 31 boldly asserts the unquestionable nature of God’s support for believers. This affirmation transcends words, representing a profound truth anchored in the unchanging character of God. The reassurance is clear: if God is for us, no force can stand against us.

In verses 32-33, the focus shifts to the immeasurable gift of Christ’s sacrifice. He did not withhold His own Son but delivered Him up for the redemption of mankind. The imagery emphasizes the completeness and effectiveness of Christ’s atonement, leading to a triumphant victory over sin and death.

These verses show a love so profound that God willingly sacrificed the most precious, His Son, for our sake. The rhetorical question in verse 33 underscores the divine justification of the elect, highlighting that no accusation or charge can stand against those who are in Christ.

Psalm 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

In the above  verses, we find encouragement in the thoroughness of God’s plan for our redemption. The profound love revealed through Christ’s sacrifice ensures an unwavering victory, providing us with a justification that exceeds any worldly accusation. These truths serve as foundational pillars, instilling in us enduring confidence in God’s unwavering love and the triumphant sacrifice of Christ on our behalf.

When we look closely at Romans 8:34, a deep revelation comes to light. The verse declares:

Rom 8:34 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.

This declaration corresponds with Old Testament types and shadow. In the Old Testament, the sacrificial system symbolized the temporary covering of sins, foreshadowing the ultimate atonement accomplished by Christ’s death. Leviticus 16:11-14 provides a glimpse of this typology, depicting the high priest’s actions on the Day of Atonement.

Leviticus 16:11-14 And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself: And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil: And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not: And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.

Transitioning to the New Testament, the book of Hebrews illuminates the fulfillment of this Old Testament shadow in Christ’s continuing work. Hebrews 9:24-28 draws a parallel between the earthly sanctuary and Christ’s heavenly ministry, highlighting the once-and-for-all sacrifice that negates condemnation for believers.

Hebrews 9:24-28 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world (kosmos): but now once in the end of the world (aion) hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So, Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

These verses together unveil a comprehensive narrative of Christ’s plan of salvation, bridging the Old and New Testaments to illustrate the truth declared in Romans 8:34. The truth declared is the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system through Christ’s atonement. This signifies that as believers we are justified and free from condemnation through the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, as detailed in Hebrews 9:24-28. Christ has set the example for us to follow.

Rom 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

1Jn 2:1-6 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 
Rom 8:36 As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

In Romans 8:35-37, Paul poses a series of rhetorical questions to emphasize the unbreakable nature of the bond between believers and the love of Christ. He presents a comprehensive list of adversities, ranging from tribulation and distress to persecution by the sword. Through this list, Paul paints a vivid picture of the challenges that believers will encounter. The implied answer to each question is a resounding “no,” suggesting that none of these hardships has the power to separate us from the enduring love of God in Christ.

Paul draws on a broader perspective of mankind’s suffering, acknowledging that believers will face a spectrum of trials. By employing the imagery of being “killed all day long” and “accounted as sheep for the slaughter,” Paul references the shared experience of enduring challenges, quoting Old Testament themes. Yet, amidst these adversities, he proclaims believers as “more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” This triumphant declaration reinforces the idea that, in Christ, believers not only endure hardships but emerge victorious over them, guided and empowered by the unwavering love of God.

Psalm 44:22 Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

The verse from Psalm 44:22 supports the idea of enduring suffering for God’s sake. Romans 8:37 then strongly confirms Paul’s message that, with the strength of Christ’s love, the elect rise above and conquer the many challenges they encounter.

Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 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.

In these verses, Paul expresses his unwavering conviction that nothing—be it death, life, angels, rulers, present circumstances, future uncertainties, height, depth, or any other element of creation—can sever the bond between believers and God’s love in Christ Jesus. This list serves as a powerful reminder that, according to Paul’s persuasion, there exists an inseparable connection between believers and the unfailing love of God.

Psalm 139:8-10 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Ephesians 1:21-22 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.

Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

In this study of Romans 8:31-39, we examined the Apostle Paul’s powerful message about God’s unwavering love and the unshakeable security it brings to us as believers. We looked back at our previous study of Romans 8:19-30, where we learned how God transforms suffering to glory.

Romans 8:31-39 prepares us to think about the vastness of God’s love and the unbreakable connection between believers and God. In verses 31-33, Paul boldly declared God’s unwavering love and the victory won through Christ’s sacrifice. The Old and New Testaments vividly illustrate God’s boundless love and the completeness of Christ’s sacrifice.

Romans 8:34, uncovered the profound revelation of Christ as the ultimate high priest. By connecting Old Testament types and shadows with New Testament fulfillment, we gained insight into the depth of Christ’s plan of salvation for everyone the Father has given him.

Joh 6:35-40 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

In Romans 8:35-37, Paul utilizes rhetorical questions to depict the challenges that we will encounter. Other supporting verses, notably Isaiah 53:7, underscore the theme of enduring suffering for God’s sake, affirming that believers triumph through the love of Christ.

Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Finally, in Romans 8:38-39, Paul assured us that nothing could separate us from God’s love. The verses from Psalms, Isaiah, Ephesians, and Colossians highlighted the all-encompassing nature of God’s love, prevailing over every aspect of our lives.

In conclusion, our study of Romans 8:31-39 reveals a profound understanding of the mankind’s, firstly the elect’s, secure position in God’s unwavering love. This message echoes with the assurance that present trials or future uncertainties cannot separate us from the enduring love of God in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 91:14-16 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

John 10:28-29 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.