Romans chapter 8

by Keith Simons. Free online Bible course and commentary from the Useful Bible Study Centre.

No condemnation

(Romans 8:1)

Paul has just explained that, even with our best efforts, we are too weak to obey God’s laws. The problem is that our natural desires and feelings so often cause us to do wrong things.

Therefore, Paul says, there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. In other words, they are not just free from the power of sin (their wrong and evil thoughts, words and actions). They are also free from the judgement against sin, and its punishment.

We ask how that statement follows from the subjects in chapter 7. Paul has just confessed the power that sin has over his own ‘flesh’. He is using the word ‘flesh’ as a word-picture for the weakness of the desires and feelings of his own body. We know that for the rest of our lives on earth, we will have those desires and feelings. So we ask how we can be free from sin in this life.

The answer is that Christ’s people should not be under the control of the ‘flesh’ (8:7-9). They may still feel the same desires and feelings, but now the Holy Spirit directs their lives (Romans 8:4-6; Galatians 5:16).

So, to avoid sin, Christians must constantly ask themselves what God wants them to do. They should understand that they cannot simply follow their natural desires and feelings. When they do wrong things, they must confess their sin to God (1 John 1:9). God wants both to forgive them, and to change their behaviour completely (Galatians 5:16-25). That complete change is only possible when a Christian allows the Holy Spirit to guide and to direct his life (8:2).

God's law, which makes us free

(Romans 8:2)

Many people consider the Bible in general, and God’s law in particular, to be extremely severe. They can only see its message of God’s judgement against our sins (wrong and evil deeds). So, they could easily describe God’s law as a ‘law of sin and death’ (see Genesis 2:17; Deuteronomy 27:9-26; Ezekiel 18:20). Really, however, it is their own sin that brings death against them (6:23).

However, there are other people who truly love God’s law (Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119:97). That is not because they have a different opinion of God’s law as a set of rules. It is because they have a real relationship with God. They love God's law because they truly love God (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Jeremiah 31:33-34; Mark 12:28-34).

Our natural state is not to love God, but to be his enemies (3:9-18; 5:10). In the same way, our natural desires and feelings do not generally cause us to obey God’s law, but rather to oppose it (Romans 8:5-8; Galatians 5:16-21). Therefore, we cannot obtain a right relationship with God by our own efforts (4:1-8). We can only receive such a relationship through the work of God’s Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11; Galatians 3:1-3).

That relationship is the result of what Christ did by his death (5:6-10; 8:3). Christ’s death changes our lives completely (2 Corinthians 5:14-17), when we trust in him (4:23-25). Instead of death, we have his certain promise of life that never ends (John 3:16; John 10:10; Romans 6:23). The law of God that seemed so severe, now gives us hope and life (2 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 3:14-18). God’s Spirit, who formerly warned us of our sin (John 16:7-11), now leads us into life (8:11) and truth (John 16:13).

God sent Christ to die for us

(Romans 8:3)

God’s law is good and holy; but we are weak and by nature, we often choose to do evil things (7:12-14). That is why God’s law, by itself, cannot bring us into a right relationship with God. We may try to obey the rules - but only the most wonderful act of God himself could ever give us a right relationship with him.

That wonderful act was an act of judgement. God sent his own Son, Christ into the world (John 3:16). Christ became a man who was like us in every way (Hebrews 2:14-18). However, he never carried out any evil act against God’s law; he alone was perfect (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22-23).

That was why Christ could suffer the punishment for our evil deeds (5:6-9). He accepted the judgement that was rightly against us (Isaiah 53:4-9). His own physical body took the responsibility for our wrong and evil acts (1 Peter 2:24). Because of Christ’s death, God can forgive those people who turn from their evil deeds, to believe and trust in him (4:23-25).

As Paul explains this, he emphasises the word ‘flesh’. He uses it as a word-picture for the weakness of our bodies, and especially our natural desires and feelings. We are weak because those desires and feelings often cause us to do wrong things against God’s law. Christ, as a man, accepted that weakness although he never offended against God’s law. He died in the weakness of the human body (2 Corinthians 13:4). However, he lives because of the power of God’s Spirit (8:11). That same power can be in our lives too (8:9-11); the Holy Spirit can give us the kind of life that will never end (John 11:25-26; Romans 8:13).

Does God's law matter to Christians?

(Romans 8:4)

Sometimes Christians try to argue that, because of Christ’s death, God’s law does not matter to them. They are wrong, because God’s commands are holy, right and good (7:12). God’s people should love his law (Psalm 119:97); in fact, they should love everything that God considers to be right and good.

The reality is that God’s law is of great importance to Christians (3:31). However, we must understand it correctly (2 Corinthians 3:14-16). God’s law is not merely a set of rules for what we may do with our bodies. Rather, God has given his law for the benefit of our spirits (7:14). In other words, the law teaches us how we can have a right relationship with God in our spirits. We ourselves are too weak to live in the manner that pleases God (3:23; 8:13). We need to receive the kind of life that comes from God’s Holy Spirit (8:11), in order to obey his law.

Christ died in order to satisfy the judgement of God’s law, which was rightly against us. When we put our trust in Christ, his Holy Spirit enters our lives (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Holy Spirit then directs us and guides us to live in the way that pleases God (John 16:13). That way to live is not, of course, against God’s law (Galatians 5:22-23). Rather, it is how God’s law teaches people to live (Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Micah 6:8).

This is the perfect relationship between God’s people and his law that Jeremiah 31:33-34 describes (see Hebrews 8:6-12). The proper place for God’s law is deep inside his people; in their hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3). Therefore, they gladly choose to obey him. They have accepted God’s law into their hearts, and it has a permanent place there (compare Psalm 40:6-8).

What are you thinking?

(Romans 8:5)

Our actions are the result of our inner thoughts (Mark 7:18-23). Therefore, God’s people should think in a different way from other people (see Philippians 4:8). That is not something that we can just do naturally. By nature, our thoughts are often for our own selfish benefit. We must learn to think in the way that God approves of (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). We must allow God’s Holy Spirit to be our teacher (John 16:13).

Children must learn to think in the way that an adult thinks (1 Corinthians 13:11). As children, they find it so difficult to make sensible plans for their future. Their attention is too strongly on the things near them: what they can see, or feel, or touch. So we all, by nature, care too much about the things that belong in this world. We give all our attention to our natural feelings and desires. We neglect the things that our spirits need. That, is we neglect our relationship with God. In Mark 8:33, Jesus complained that Peter was thinking only about human things, and not about the things of God. Paul urged Christians to think about the things that are above (Colossians 3:2). They need to think much about God and about heaven. Only with a correct attitude towards God can we live in the right way here on earth (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The opposite of selfish thought is to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our lives (Galatians 5:16-17). That is not to neglect our lives on earth, but rather to live as God directs us. That is the way that God always intended people to live. Jesus described it as the most wonderful kind of life (John 7:38-39; John 10:10).

The forces that bring us life or death are working inside us

(Romans 8:6)

In our article on Romans 7:9-11, we discussed what Paul means by ‘life’ and ‘death’ in such passages. Real life is to live in the way that God wants us to live (John 10:10). Therefore, ‘death’ means to live only for our own natural and selfish desires (1 Timothy 5:6).

That may seem an unusual way to use these words. However, what we usually call life and death (the life and death of our body) are the result of this choice (Genesis 3:17-19). So are the life and death of the spirit; in other words, whether we go to heaven or hell (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

No person’s body can be dead and alive at the same time. No person’s spirit can go both to heaven and hell. However, the forces that bring about life and death are constantly working in us during our lives on earth. The only force that truly gives us life is the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Both by our nature and because of our evil deeds, the forces that bring death are working in us.

God has made the most wonderful change in the lives of his people (2 Corinthians 5:17). He gives them life that never ends (John 6:40). That promise is not just for the future. Already, God’s Holy Spirit can direct their lives (Galatians 5:16). When they allow the Holy Spirit to do that, they are receiving life from him (8:13). They also receive his peace: the calm and confident attitude that comes from a right relationship with God.

However, some Christians care too much about their own feelings and desires. They are thinking in the way that brings death into people’s lives. God will still save those Christians, if their relationship with him is genuine. However, they must lose much that they considered precious (compare 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). They are missing many of the benefits that God wants to bring into their lives by his Holy Spirit (James 1:6-7).

When our natural, human thoughts oppose God

(Romans 8:7)

In Romans 7:22-23, Paul spoke about his love for God’s law. He even called it ‘the law of my mind’. Now, however, Paul discusses a completely different attitude of the human mind towards God’s law. With this wrong attitude, a person’s mind does not accept the authority of God’s law. This person is therefore opposing God’s rule; he is fighting against God.

We might imagine that Paul is describing a very evil person. In fact, he is just describing the normal attitudes that people have. Paul has just shown that he himself knew such thoughts (7:7-25). It is not unusual even for Christians to refuse to accept God’s authority over much of their lives. Few people trust God enough to let him rule over every part of their lives.

Therefore, it is the natural state of people to oppose God’s rule. It is natural - but, of course, it is not how we should behave.

When Christians have these wrong attitudes, they are making a wrong choice. God has given his Holy Spirit to guide and to direct his people’s lives. When their attention is upon God, they are not trying to please themselves (8:5). However, by nature people place their attention upon their own desires, ambitions and feelings. It is not that these things are themselves wrong. They become wrong when we use them for ourselves and not for God.

For example, it is good and right that we should desire to know God (Acts 17:27). However, it is wrong and evil to have a selfish desire for wealth (1 Timothy 6:9-10). We should have an ambition to please God (2 Corinthians 5:9). However, our own personal ambitions can make us proud and foolish (James 4:13-16).

Can people please God in this life?

(Romans 8:8)

‘Those who are in the flesh cannot please God’ (8:8). In 2 Corinthians 5:9, we might think that Paul says the opposite. He says there that, whether in the body (on earth), or at home (in heaven), our aim should be to please God. However, Paul is not urging us to do something that is impossible in this life.

The explanation is in how Paul and the first Christians used the word ‘flesh’. Its simplest meaning is the soft parts of the human body. However, the first Christians used it as a word-picture for how weak people are without God. By nature, people care too much about the feelings of their bodies, whether pleasure or pain, personal ambition or fear. Often, people only think about their own benefit; so they do not think properly about God or about other people. That is what Paul means by people ‘in the flesh’. With that kind of attitudes, people cannot please God.

It is, however, possible for people to please God even in this life. That is possible for those people in whom God’s Spirit lives. As Paul explains, all of God’s people have received his Spirit (8:9). In other words, all people who have received Christ into their lives have also received his Spirit (John 1:12; Mark 1:8; John 14:16-17). However, they do not always allow his Holy Spirit to direct their lives (Galatians 5:16-17).

So, the human body is not itself evil. In fact it can be very holy, because God’s Spirit can live there (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Christ’s body was just like our bodies, but he pleased God (Mark 1:11). We too will please God if we allow his Holy Spirit to direct our lives (8:13-14).

The Holy Spirit is present in the lives of God's people

(Romans 8:9)

It interests us to see those verses, like Matthew 28:19 and Mark 1:10-11, which refer to God as Father, Son and Spirit. There are only a few such verses, but here is one of them.

In 1 Corinthians 6:19, Paul taught that the Holy Spirit is present in the lives of his people. He explained there that the Holy Spirit lives in them. Here in Romans 8:9, Paul is again teaching the same lesson. He wants God’s people to know that their natural feelings do not have to control their lives. The Holy Spirit is always present with them, so he is able to direct and to guide them constantly (Galatians 5:16-18).

Paul calls the Holy Spirit by two different names: the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of Christ. However, he is referring to the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-13). The Spirit is the gift to God’s people from both the Father and the Son (John 14:26). The Spirit is also of the same nature as God the Father and Christ: Like the Father and Son, the Holy Spirit is God. However, there are not three Gods, but one God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4).

The Holy Spirit does not act separately from the Father and the Son. When a person becomes a Christian, the Holy Spirit enters that person’s life. The Holy Spirit is living in that person - and so are the Father and the Son, Christ (John 14:23; Colossians 1:27).

That means that the most extraordinary power is working in a Christian’s life (8:11). In fact, God himself is actively working in that person. He has taken someone whom he considered dead because of their evil deeds (Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1). He is making that person into one of his children. He will give that person life without end, and the most splendid honour (Romans 8:15-18; Philippians 1:6).

Live for God, because sin brings death

(Romans 8:10)

If our bodies are dead, we might consider ourselves totally without hope. However, God causes dead people to live again (4:16-19). He does that when people believe him (Hebrews 11:8-19). If we are in Christ, then we too believe him (4:23-25). Therefore, we do have hope - and it is a certain hope (Hebrews 6:19). God has even given us his Spirit as proof (2 Corinthians 1:22; Romans 8:9). The Holy Spirit, who alone gives life, has given life to our spirits.

Paul is not of course writing for people who are physically dead. He writes to living people, but he calls their bodies ‘dead’. They are called dead because of sin (our wrong and evil thoughts, words and actions). Death is the only possible result of the sin in our lives (6:23). That has been the state of everyone ever since the first people chose not to obey God (Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:22). Now, it even seems part of human nature to desire and to do wrong things (7:24).

We might, still, not expect Paul to describe Christians in that same manner. Because of Christ’s death, God has forgiven their sins and he has given them a new life (John 3:3-6; Romans 5:8). However, that new life does not allow Christians to continue in their former sins and wrong attitudes. In other words, Christians cannot use the natural feelings and desires of their dying bodies as an excuse for sin. Their bodies will die - in fact, it is as if they have already died with Christ (6:1-11). They have new life that never ends because of Christ’s righteousness (goodness) - Romans 5:17-21. At the present time, only their spirits have received that new life. However they have the wonderful promise that, in the future, God will give that new life to their bodies too, (Romans 8:11-23; 1 Corinthians 15:12-57).

The power of God's Spirit to give life

(Romans 8:11)

In this world, nothing seems to us so final as death is. New living people, plants and animals can only come from those that are already alive. That natural process of new life has continued since God first created those things - but death ends that process. Nothing in this world can cause anything that is dead to live again.

God’s people believe that God can make dead people live again (4:17). We ask how he can do that. For us, it is not just a matter of interest. We know that we too must die. In fact, the natural processes that cause death are already working in our bodies.

It is not just physical death that affects us. Our desires, feelings and actions are so often wrong. We know that God’s judgement is therefore against us (2:1-11). What we consider the natural behaviour of our bodies (Mark 7:20-22) is bringing death to our spirits (6:23).

Clearly, we need God to act powerfully to save (rescue) us. He acted with the most astonishing power when, by his Spirit, he caused the dead body of Jesus to live again. It is the special work of God’s Holy Spirit to give life. We very much need the kind of life that comes from the Holy Spirit.

It is impossible to be a Christian without the Holy Spirit (8:9). When we invite Christ into our lives, his Spirit also enters our lives (1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:3). His Spirit shows us how to live in the way that God approves of. So instead of death in us, we are already starting to receive the life that the Holy Spirit gives. That is just the beginning of the wonderful things that God is doing in our lives (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). What God has begun, he will complete (Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:14-18).

Our greatest duty is to live as the Holy Spirit directs us

(Romans 8:12-13)

Paul is finishing his discussion of the power of sin (our wrong and evil behaviour and attitudes) in our lives. So here he briefly explains the subjects that he has discussed.

In verse 12, Paul uses a debt as a word-picture, to mean our duties. In this life, Christians, like everyone else, have many different duties, and many debts to pay (13:6-7). Christ used those debts as a word-picture for the much greater duty that we have towards God (Matthew 18:21-35).

So, our natural desires and feelings may seem to have a very strong claim on our lives. However, when those desires and feelings are wrong, we must not allow them to direct our lives. Instead we must remember our greater duty to God to live as his Spirit directs us.

Real life is not to live in the way that pleases us. In other words, the purpose of life is not to satisfy our own desires and feelings. Christ promises his people life that never ends (John 3:16; John 10:10; John 11:25-26). Our own desires and feelings cannot give us that kind of life (John 4:13-14). That kind of life can only come from God’s Spirit (John 7:37-39).

The children of God are the people who have accepted Christ into their lives (John 1:12-13). God’s Spirit lives in them (8:9), and he guides and directs them (8:14). They must not depend upon themselves and upon their own efforts (4:1-6). Instead, they must believe and trust God (Hebrews 11:6). In that way, they allow his Holy Spirit to work in their lives.

God directs his people by his Holy Spirit

(Romans 8:14)

A good father teaches his children (Proverbs 4:1-9). He knows that, without his wise instructions and advice, they would make many foolish mistakes. So, he considers it his duty to teach them how they should live (Proverbs 22:6).

God has chosen to adopt his people as his own children (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:23). That is a very great honour for them (8:17-18); we cannot even imagine how wonderful it will be (1 Corinthians 2:9; Revelation 21:1-4). However, while they remain in this world, they have many enemies, and many difficulties to overcome (8:35-39). Of course God has not left his people alone in this situation, like children without a father (John 14:16-18). He has sent his Holy Spirit to guide and to direct their lives.

The Holy Spirit does that in many different ways. He teaches people through the Bible (1 Peter 1:11-12); he reminds them of the things that Jesus taught (John 14:26). He shows people how to live in the manner that pleases God (Galatians 5:22-23). He can use the circumstances of people’s lives to warn them (John 16:7-8) or to correct them (Hebrews 12:5-11). He can give them a special message from God for their particular situation (Acts 16:6-10).

Good children recognise the wisdom in their father’s advice. From it, they learn to live in a good and useful way (Proverbs 23:24). They consider this wisdom to be more precious than anything else that their father may give them (Proverbs 8:10-11). So of course God’s people should allow his Holy Spirit to guide them. They should not depend upon themselves and upon their own plans (James 4:13-15). Instead they should trust God, and he will direct their lives (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Abba, Father!

(Romans 8:15)

It is very wonderful that God’s people know him as their Father (Matthew 6:7-15). They respect him, but not with the relationship of fear that slaves have towards their master. Instead, they truly love him (Mark 12:30; 1 John 5:1-2), with the love that children have towards a good and kind father.

To emphasise that lesson, Paul uses the word ABBA (Galatians 4:6). That is the familiar word which children in Israel use even today to call their father.

If people do not have a real relationship with God, they have no right to call him Father. However, the Bible teaches that people can become God’s children (John 1:12; 1 Peter 2:10). That happens when they turn from their evil deeds to believe in Christ. God is adopting them to be children in his family (Galatians 4:5).

Formerly, the people who are now God’s people were the slaves of sin (their own wrong and evil behaviour and attitudes) - Romans 6:20. At that time, the devil controlled them by fear (Hebrews 2:15). However, by the death of Christ, God saved (rescued) them, both from sin and from the devil’s power (Romans 5:6-10; Hebrews 2:14).

It astonished Paul, therefore, to discover that many Christians were choosing to behave like slaves again (Galatians 4:9-11). Some teachers were emphasising certain rules from God’s law so much that they were changing God’s message (Galatians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 11:4). In reality, they were replacing love for God with a series of strict rules. They thought about God as a strict master, and not as a loving Father.

God gave his law to show people how they could have a right relationship with him. They do not become his children because of their efforts to obey his law, but because they believe his promise (Romans chapter 4; Galatians 4:28-31).

Knowledge that comes from the Holy Spirit

(Romans 8:16)

We have just two main methods by which we gain knowledge of our world. Either we learn information from someone else, or we use our senses to discover a fact. All this knowledge enters our mind, but our mind does not always use it in the same way. For example, we can learn something as a fact although we still do not believe it.

It is very hard for our natural minds to understand about God and about heaven (1 Corinthians 2:9). There are some things that we simply cannot understand (Philippians 4:7; 1 Corinthians 2:14). So God has provided another method by which his people may know such things (1 Corinthians 2:9-16). He has given them his Holy Spirit, who lives in them (8:9). The Holy Spirit shows these things, not firstly to their minds, but to their own spirits.

New Christians often worry whether they are truly born again as children of God (John 3:3-8). They cannot yet see, from their senses, that God has made this wonderful change in their lives. The problem is that they are depending upon their own feelings. Their feelings change constantly, and so does their confidence. Even in matters of this world, our feelings are a very poor way to discover anything.

The true test of whether someone is a Christian, is the work of the Holy Spirit in his life. For example, the Holy Spirit teaches God’s people those things that Christ taught (John 14:26). So, the Holy Spirit shows them that God’s promises truly are for them (see Matthew 11:28-30; John 1:12; Revelation 3:20). Such knowledge may not satisfy a person’s natural mind but, by it, God can bring life and peace to a person’s spirit (8:6).

What it means to be one of God's children

(Romans 8:17)

The Bible calls God’s people ‘the children of God’ (John 1:12). We must not imagine that this is simply a title or an honour, without any real meaning. Its full meaning and importance are for the future age (8:18); therefore, we cannot understand these things completely yet (1 John 3:1-2). However, we can see that, in God’s great plan for the future age, this is a matter of the greatest importance (1 Corinthians 2:6-10).

The children of a father have future rights to his property (Galatians 4:1-7). That distinguishes them from a servant who may be living in the same house. In fact, everything that the father has, he possesses for the future benefit of his children (compare 1 Corinthians 3:21-23). In the same way, the future world, with all its beauty and wealth, is for God’s people (Revelation chapter 21 and 22). They will not possess it in a selfish or greedy manner, like many rulers in this world (Mark 10:35-45). Instead, as children of God their Father, they will behave like him - in a kind, generous and gentle manner (compare Matthew 5:45).

They will not receive this property alone, but with their brothers and sisters, that is, the rest of God’s people. The first and greatest of their brothers is, of course, Christ himself (Hebrews 2:11-13).

As Christ is their brother, his life is like their lives in this world. Many people in this world oppose them in their relationship with Christ. As he suffered troubles, so they too must expect to suffer troubles (John 16:33; 1 Peter 4:12-13). They do not suffer those troubles alone, because God has sent his Spirit to help them and to make them strong (John 14:16-17; Romans 8:9). God uses their troubles in this world to prepare them for the honour that they will receive with Christ in the next world (8:18-19).

(Romans 8:18)

Many Christians suffer much in this world because of their relationship with Christ (Hebrews 13:13-14). Paul knew that from his own experience. His troubles had been especially severe in the year before he wrote the Book of Romans (2 Corinthians 1:8-10). However, his attention was not upon his troubles, but on the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:17).

The glory of a king means his honour and wealth. The glory of a nation means its richest and best products. The glory of the sun is the power of its light and heat; the glory of the moon and stars is their delicate beauty. In all of these, we see the idea of true greatness that affects everything round about.

The glory of God, of course, is much greater than any of these. People have sometimes seen his glory (Exodus 33:18 to 34:7; 1 Kings 8:11; Mark 9:2-9). That is the greatest and most wonderful experience that a person may have in this world (Isaiah chapter 6; Ezekiel chapter 1). However, God’s plan for the future is not just that his people will see his glory. God actually intends to share his glory with his people. That is possible because God has chosen to adopt his people as his own children. In the future world, they will have the great honour to be God’s own children.

Therefore, Paul declared that his own troubles, however severe, did not really matter. Actually, Paul would still serve God even if he (Paul) gained nothing from it (9:1-3). However, God’s people gain the most wonderful and splendid life when they serve God. When people care only to please themselves, their lives achieve nothing worthwhile (6:21-23).

The new age when God fully adopts his children

(Romans 8:19)

God does nothing that is in vain or without a proper purpose. However, in our natural world which he created, things constantly happen without any worthwhile purpose (Ecclesiastes 1:2-8). Our constant experience of death, disease and trouble is not how God created the world to be (see Genesis chapter 1).

The Bible teaches that the wrong actions of people cause our world to be like this (Genesis chapter 3). The first people chose not to obey God, and everything in this world suffers as a result. Death is the result of people’s evil deeds - but every plant and animal suffers death, and not just people.

It is not God’s plan that this sad situation will continue always (Isaiah 11:6-9; Revelation chapters 20 to 22). The future world will be free from all the effects of people’s evil behaviour. Then the world, and every living thing, will not exist without purpose. Instead, they will act together to carry out God’s plans and purposes.

It was people’s selfish and evil behaviour that caused the present state of our world. So, God’s work in people’s lives will bring about the new age, and bring freedom to the whole world. That work has begun (2 Corinthians 5:17), but it is not yet complete (Philippians 1:6). God will complete it at the time when he establishes Christ’s perfect rule over all things. When he, called ‘the son of man’, rules all things, then God will declare his people to be fully ‘sons of God’ (compare Hebrews 2:5-13 and Romans 8:17). At that time, the process to adopt them as God’s children will at last be complete (8:23). God will do that, not merely for their own benefit, but for the benefit of all that he created.

God's plan for the plants and animals

(Romans 8:20-21)

When people first chose not to obey God, the strangest and most extraordinary period of the world’s history began (Genesis chapter 3). We have never known anything else, but it is not normal or natural for people to oppose God, their maker (Isaiah 29:16). In the beginning, people had a right relationship with God (Genesis 1:26-31). In the future, that will be true, too (Revelation 21:1-4). However, in the present period of human history, people’s wrong deeds have separated them from God (Romans 3:9-18; Isaiah 59:2).

This has had a very sad effect on the plants and animals of our world. God has given people authority over the whole world (Genesis 1:28-30). Therefore, God’s judgement against people’s evil deeds was also a judgement against the natural world (Genesis 3:17-19). God could have killed and destroyed all the people at once. However, he chose not to. Instead he permitted innocent animals to die, in order to cover the people’s shame (Genesis 3:21). In that act, he showed how in the future, he would forgive people’s evil deeds by the death of Christ (John 1:29).

God permits this extraordinary period of history so that people have the opportunity to turn to him (2 Peter 3:3-10). Before the return of Christ, the plants and animals must suffer even more in the judgements against people’s evil deeds (for example, Revelation 8:6-13). However, the world’s plants and animals know what so many people refuse to believe (Isaiah 1:3). They do not blame God for their troubles, but they wait eagerly for God to rescue them (8:19). When Christ returns, God will rescue both his people, and the natural world. In that day, the plants and the animals will share in the joy of God’s people (Isaiah 11:6-9; Isaiah 55:12-13). That joy will never end (Revelation 21:3-4).

Can animals pray?

(Romans 8:22)

In the original language (Greek), the word for groan means to feel something so deeply that you cannot express it. In Romans 8:23-26 and 2 Corinthians 5:2-4, Paul uses the Greek word to describe a state of desperate prayer.

We know how much every living thing in this world suffers. Perhaps therefore it should not surprise us to read that birds and animals cry out to God for their food (Job 38:41; Psalm 104:21). Unlike many people, the birds and animals accept God’s rule: they know how much they depend on him (Psalm 104:27-30).

If, therefore, animals pray, we might expect their prayers to be simple cries for help. However, Paul insists that their desire is for something much greater. He compares their pain to the pain of a mother who is giving birth.

Sometimes prayer can be so desperate that it causes pain (Romans 9:1-3; compare Luke 22:44 with Hebrews 5:7).

However, although a mother suffers great pain at the birth of her child, her hope is even greater. In fact, nothing in this world seems to offer more hope than the birth of a child (compare Genesis 3:15-16 and Isaiah 7:14-16). When he becomes a man, that child may achieve wonderful things (Psalm 127:3-5). Therefore, the Book of Isaiah often links the birth of children to the idea of freedom for God’s people (for example, compare Isaiah 7:16 with 8:3-4; Isaiah 66:7-10).

Freedom for God’s people will bring freedom and peace to the whole world (Isaiah 65:25). That will happen after Christ’s return, when his rule over all things is complete.

So, the desperate prayers of all that God created are not in vain. God will answer those prayers. It will happen when he adopts fully his people, with the full rights of sons in his family (8:19; 8:23).

God's people pray for God to complete his work

(Romans 8:23)

There is an evil power by which the devil still has some authority over every living thing in this world (Ephesians 2:2). By that evil power, the devil causes disease, pain and death.

God did not intend the world to suffer like that. These troubles exist in our world because of people’s evil deeds (Genesis chapter 3), but they affect everything in the world.

So in their troubles, all that God created offers a kind of desperate, silent prayer to God (8:22). Their desperate desire is for the day when people will again have a perfect relationship with God (Revelation 21:1-7).

In other words, on that day God will adopt his people, with the full rights of sons in his family (Romans 8:15-19; Revelation 21:7).

At the present time, we can see how God is preparing for that new age to begin. Because of Christ’s death, God offers people from every nation the opportunity to begin a right relationship with him (1:16; 5:6-10). God’s Spirit enters their lives, as the first evidence of what God will do for them (8:9-11).

In their spirits, God’s people can know the closest possible relationship with God (Hebrews 10:19-22). However, they still very much need God to save (rescue) their bodies. The weakness of the natural desires of their bodies constantly tempts them to do wrong things. In addition, their bodies may suffer pain and illness. Their bodies will certainly die (John 11:25-26).

However, God has promised them life that never ends (John 3:16). He will destroy every evil power that opposes them. His final act to save them will be to destroy the power of death (1 Corinthians 15:26 and 15:51-57). Their bodies will live again, with the kind of life than can never end (1 Corinthians 15:42-49).

Hope and patience

(Romans 8:24-25)

Paul returns here to a subject that he mentioned earlier (5:3-5). Hope is the result of patience.

God’s people need to be patient. God has made very many wonderful promises to them (2 Corinthians 1:20). However, the greatest of these promises cannot happen during their lives on earth (Hebrews 11:13-16). That promise is that they will become alive again, to live always with God as his children (1 Corinthians 15:42-57; Revelation 21:1-7).

In the Bible, to have hope means to expect that God will do something good. When our hope is in God’s promises, he will not disappoint us (Hebrews 6:19).

Therefore, the promise that God will adopt his people as his own children is a wonderful reason for hope. It is for that purpose that God has saved (rescued) his people. It was with that hope that they invited Christ into their lives.

God saves us by the faith (trust in God) that he gives us (5:1). However, we can see that faith and hope must work together through our whole Christian lives. Both qualities are very important for us as we wait for God to carry out his promises.

To have hope, we need the kind of patience that gives us the strength to stand for God during our troubles. So, hope is the result of patience, but patience is itself the result of hope. In other words, our hope causes that kind of patience to develop in our lives. Then that patience makes our hope stronger. Christians need constantly to develop in faith, hope and patience during their lives on earth.

The Holy Spirit prays through us

(Romans 8:26)

Prayer is so important for us as Christians, but we do not really understand prayer. We speak to God, but we do not see him. We do not know how he appoints his special servants, the angels, to assist us (Matthew 18:10; Hebrews 1:14). We are hardly even aware of the battles that they fight on our behalf in the spirit world (Daniel 10:12-14; Revelation 12:7-9).

We pray our prayers in the best human language that we know. In that, we are like Solomon, who built a great house, called the temple, for God. However, Solomon was wise enough to know that even the highest heaven could not contain God (2 Chronicles 6:18); his temple certainly could not do it. In the same way, we are foolish to imagine that even the finest words can express the true prayer of our hearts. Of course we can and should pray in our own languages. However, we must also ask God to send his Holy Spirit to help us in our prayers (Luke 11:9-13).

Paul was especially aware of the help of the Holy Spirit as he prayed (1 Corinthians 14:15 and 14:18). He had the gift of tongues. In other words, he sometimes prayed, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in languages that he (Paul) did not understand. Paul probably did not know whether he was then speaking human languages, or the languages of heaven. However, he believed that the Holy Spirit was giving him words to speak in prayer. By that means, Paul prayed prayers that his human mind, in its weakness, was unable to express. So, his experience was that the Holy Spirit was praying through him.

The Holy Spirit's prayers for God's people

(Romans 8:27)

We desire that our friends should pray intelligently for us. For that reason, we tell them our requests (for example, Romans 15:30-32). When they pray with us, we listen to their prayers. Then we express our agreement with the word ‘Amen’, which means, ‘It is true’.

Jesus taught us that we should pray intelligently. He warned us not to use words that have no real meaning in our prayers (Matthew 6:7). In many wrong religions, people try not to use their mind in their prayers, as a kind of magic. They repeat certain words and phrases; they may allow spirits to control them.

Paul emphasises that the prayers of God’s Holy Spirit are different from the prayers of wrong religions. We may not understand the prayers of the Holy Spirit with our human mind (1 Corinthians 14:13-19), but those prayers are still intelligent prayers.

Of course the thoughts of God’s Spirit are intelligent thoughts. The Holy Spirit alone knows fully what is in the mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-11). We must pray for the things that God wants (Matthew 6:10; 1 John 5:14-15). We may not always know what God wants us to pray; but the Holy Spirit always knows.

Often, we do not even know our own hearts, that is, our true attitudes (Jeremiah 17:9). We do not know what we truly need. We depend too much upon the appearance of things (1 Samuel 16:7). However, God, who examines the heart, knows us completely (Jeremiah 17:10). His Spirit knows what we truly need. Therefore, the Holy Spirit always prays what is right for us.

God works for good in the lives of his people

(Romans 8:28)

We know that God is absolutely good, and perfect in every way (Psalm 145; James 1:17). We also know that God’s people suffer much in this world. They may suffer from the cruelty of their enemies, from the evil work of the devil, or simply from their circumstances. God’s people do not usually escape from the troubles that are common to everyone (Ecclesiastes 9:2; 1 Corinthians 10:13).

However, God is still working in a very special and wonderful way in the lives of his people. He uses the troubles in their lives to develop and to improve their relationship with him (James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:6-7). So, troubles that would usually make people weak, in fact make them into stronger and better people (5:3-5).

That is because God’s people see their own weakness as a reason to trust God more (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). They recognise that in the worst situations their confidence can only be in God (Job 19:23-27). They do not depend on their circumstances because, often, their circumstances offer no hope whatever. Instead, they learn to depend upon the goodness of God. This world may offer nothing to them; but still, they are sure that God will reward their patient trust in him (Job 23:10-12; Hebrews 11:6; James 5:7-11).

Of course, it is not in everyone’s life that all things work for good. The promise is for God’s people, who truly love him. Once, these same people were God’s enemies (5:10), who offended against his law in so many ways. However, because of Christ’s death, God forgave them (5:8). He called (or appointed) them to be his own people (1 Peter 2:9-10). He works in their lives to make them into the kind of people that he wants them to be (Romans 8:18-19; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 1 John 3:1-2).

God's plan for his people

(Romans 8:29)

God’s plan for his people was not something that he developed quickly, as a reaction to changing circumstances. In his wisdom, he decided upon it long in advance - in fact, before he even created the world (1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4). So, even before people first chose not to obey God, God had already decided upon the remedy.

For many ages in the world’s history, people did not know God’s plan (Colossians 1:25-27). However, God began to show his plan to the prophets (holy men) who wrote the Bible (1 Peter 1:10-12). Today, that plan is clear to God’s people (1 Corinthians 2:6-10), although even they cannot understand it fully yet (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2).

God’s people know that God will carry out all his promises. So, they know that he has the most wonderful plans for the future (Revelation 21:1-5). His plan is that his people will live always with him, with the full rights of sons in his family (8:18-23).

In that family, Christ has the first and most important place (Mark 1:7-11). He has always been the Son of God (John 1:1-4; John 1:14). God’s wonderful plan is that, in God’s family, Christ will have many brothers (Hebrews 2:11-13). They are the people from every nation who have placed their trust in him. Formerly, they were not members of God’s family (1 Peter 2:9-10). In fact, by their evil deeds, they had made themselves God’s enemies. However, God forgave them because of Christ’s death for them, when they received Christ into their lives (Romans 5:6-10; John 1:12). He has accepted them as his people; and when Christ establishes his rule over all things, God will adopt them fully into his family (8:23).

How God prepares people to receive great honour

(Romans 8:30)

When a king wishes to give someone a great honour, that does not happen simply by chance. There is a proper process that the king and his officials will follow.

Firstly, it is necessary for the king to choose the person who will receive the honour. Then he invites that person to accept the honour. Finally, before he gives the actual honour, it is necessary to prepare the person to receive it.

In the Bible’s history books, we can find examples of this process. So, in Esther chapter 6, Haman could not receive the honour because the king had not chosen him to receive it. In 2 Samuel 19:31-37, King David invited Barzillai to receive an honour, but Barzillai refused it.

God has chosen to give the most wonderful honour to people who were formerly his enemies (2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 5:6-10; 1 Peter 2:9-10). They could not do anything to give themselves a right relationship with God so he has done everything for them (Psalm 40:1-3; Psalm 62:1-8).

He chose them (Ephesians 1:11); and he invited them (Isaiah 55:1-7; Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 14:15-24). By the death of Christ, he forgave their evil deeds, and he continues to work powerfully in their lives (Romans 5:18-19; Philippians 1:6). His purpose is to make them like Christ in their character and attitudes, their desires and hopes (Romans 8:29; Philippians 2:5; 1 John 3:2). Only then will they be ready to receive the honour that God will adopt them fully as his children (8:23). That will happen at the end of the present age. It will bring about the beginning of the new, perfect age, when God will live with his people (Revelation 21:1-7). At that time, God will make right everything that is wrong in our present world. That new age will never end.

If God is for us, who can be against us?

(Romans 8:31)

Before David became Israel’s king, his troubles were extremely severe. He had many enemies, and his life was in constant danger. In that situation, he learned not to depend upon himself, or his soldiers for safety, but upon God alone (see Psalms 3:1-6; 18:1-6; 27:1-3; 62:6 and 118:6).

It is very wonderful to be able to declare, like David, that God is on our side (Psalms 91 and 124). However, we certainly must not say any such thing in a proud manner (Proverbs 16:5). We know that we too were formerly enemies of God because of our evil deeds (3:23; 5:6-10). We could only become God’s people by his great kindness, and because of Christ’s death.

Paul does not intend us to think that Christians will have no enemies. Many people opposed Paul fiercely, and they caused him much pain and difficulty (2 Corinthians 11:23-26). In addition, the devil and his forces constantly oppose God’s people (1 Peter 5:8). Rather, Paul means that, in the end, God’s people will certainly overcome (Revelation 12:11; 1 Corinthians 15:57).

They do not overcome in their own strength, but because God fights for them (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Revelation 19:11-16). This will not just happen at the end of the age - God is already fighting for them, now. That is how they can live for him in this evil world. That is how they can do God’s work. That is how they can stand for God even during their worst troubles. God is defending them; God is on their side. So, no evil power can in reality defeat them (8:35-39).

God's perfect love for people

(Romans 8:32)

The first Christians considered Christ’s death to be God’s greatest gift, the perfect expression of his love (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10).

The Bible describes God to us as one God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19). In our present state, we cannot understand God’s nature fully; we can only know him as he has shown himself to us (1 Corinthians 2:7-12 and 13:12; John 1:18). So, in the words ‘Father’ and ‘Son’, we should recognise the perfect relationship of love at the heart of God (Mark 1:11; John 3:35 and 17:24; 1 John 4:8).

God’s love is not selfish, but generous. It is a love for many people (John 17:23), and a desire for them to be members of his family (8:29). That is why God the Father sent Christ, God the Son, into the world. Christ came to do God’s work in the world (John 5:36). People had separated themselves from God by their evil deeds, and they had made themselves God’s enemies (5:10). However, it was Christ’s desire to do what his Father wanted (John 6:38; John 10:14-18; Mark 14:36). Christ willingly chose to die so that people could receive a right relationship with God (Romans 5:6-8; Hebrews 9:28; Ephesians 2:13).

God’s plan for his people is not only for them to live good lives or to call themselves Christians. He wants to give them the full rights of children in his family (8:14-24). They will always live with him (Revelation 21:3-7). All things will be theirs (2 Corinthians 6:10; Matthew 25:34). In the future age, they will have great authority (Revelation 22:5; Luke 19:11-17). They will even be the judges of angels (spirits) - 1 Corinthians 6:2-3.

Who accuses God's people?

(Romans 8:33)

Such passages as Job 1:6-12 and Zechariah 3:1-2 describe heaven as a court of law. In that court, God is the judge, and the devil is the accuser of God’s people. In fact, the devil’s name, Satan, actually means ‘the accuser’ in the Hebrew language.

Paul said in Romans 8:1 that no judgement against God’s people can stand. He has now proved it. They have a right relationship with God, not because of their own goodness, but because of God’s work in their lives. God has placed his Holy Spirit in their lives (verse 9); he works through the circumstances of their lives to make them into the kind of people that he wants them to be (verses 28-29). In the future age, he will adopt them with the full rights of the children of God (verses 18-25); and the devil will be unable to prevent it.

Job declared that he had a friend, a defender to speak on his behalf in front of God (Job 16:19-21). In the same manner, Paul declares that the defender of God’s people is Christ himself (8:34). Christ died for their evil deeds (5:6-8): that is the legal reason which Christ declares in God’s court. Christ rose again and God gave him the most important place in heaven (Hebrews 1:3-4); that gives him both the opportunity and the legal authority to speak to God on their behalf.

In the ancient world, a close relative (and not a professional lawyer) had the duty to speak on a person’s behalf in court. So, Christ’s relationship to us as our friend is important to Paul. Christ is a friend who is closer than any brother (Proverbs 18:24). In fact God has made him our brother (Romans 8:29; Hebrews 2:11). Christ is our brother who truly loves us; and nothing can separate us from his love (8:35-39). He is therefore the best person to speak to God his Father on our behalf.

Who defends God's people?

(Romans 8:34)

The phrase ‘the right hand’, which means ‘the right side’, refers to the places of guests at a special meal (compare Luke 14:7-11). The right side of the host was the place of greatest honour.

We can read about such a meal in 1 Samuel 20:24-25. At that meal, we think that the place of greatest honour belonged to Jonathan, the king’s son. However, the person who actually sat there was Abner, the commander of King Saul’s army. Probably, Abner requested that place because he needed to discuss important military matters with the king. It would be impossible for them to discuss serious and secret matters unless they sat next to each other.

Jesus has received the place of greatest honour in heaven (Philippians 2:9-11). He sits at the right side of God the Father (Mark 16:19; Acts 7:56; Hebrews 1:3). He has accepted that place, not for selfish reasons, but because, like Abner, Jesus needs to speak to the King. Jesus is speaking to God the Father on matters of great importance; in other words, in heaven, Jesus is praying constantly (Hebrews 7:25).

Jesus’ character has not changed from when he lived on earth (Hebrews 13:8). So, his prayers in heaven will be like the prayers that he prayed on earth. We can see the nature of his prayers from the prayer that he prayed in John chapter 17. Especially, he prays for the people who have put their trust in him. He prays for God to complete his work in their lives. He asks God to protect them from the devil. He prays that God will bring them into a perfect relationship, both with God himself, and with each other.

Nothing can separate God's people from the love of Christ

(Romans 8:35)

Paul wrote the Book of Romans in or about the year 58 A.D.. During the next 10 years, Rome’s Christians would suffer terribly from the cruelty of Rome’s ruler, Nero. These troubles became most severe after a fire destroyed much of Rome in 64 A.D..

Of course, Paul could not know what would soon happen. However, he knew how Christians were already suffering in many places. He himself had already suffered much (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Also, he would know what Jesus had taught about such troubles (Matthew 5:11-12; Mark 13:9-13).

So, Paul was careful to prepare Rome’s Christians for the troubles that they might have to suffer. They must not think that, as Christians, their lives would always be comfortable and pleasant. They might have to suffer because of their relationship with Christ, and they should be ready.

In that situation, they would be unable to trust in their wealth, their friends, or anything else in this world. They must trust in Christ alone; they could be sure that his love would not disappoint them.

We sometimes consider love to be merely an emotion - but true love, even human love, is not something weak (Song of Solomon 8:6-7). It has the power to direct all our thoughts, actions and efforts in order to help someone else (1 Corinthians chapter 13). So, the love of Christ acts on our behalf with the most extraordinary power (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). When Christ is on our side, nothing can truly defeat us (8:31). His love has the power to overcome all our troubles in this world, and to take us to be with him in heaven (8:37-39).

When God's people have severe troubles

(Romans 8:36)

Paul describes the most cruel actions of the worst enemies that God’s people have. Those enemies behave like butchers: they kill people as if they were killing sheep. That description may sound as if God’s people are in a hopeless and desperate situation; however, they are not. An enemy may kill their bodies, but their spirits are safe with God. Nothing can separate them from the love of Christ. So their enemy cannot defeat them. As soon as he kills them, their spirits are safe with Christ in heaven (Philippians 1:21-23). So their enemy thinks that he has defeated them; but they overcome. In fact, they more than overcome: they prove that nothing on earth or in hell can destroy Christ’s love for them.

Paul’s words come from Psalm 44:22. Psalm 44 is about the attitudes of God’s people after both success and defeat in war.

When God’s people know success in life, that is a reason for them to praise and to thank God. They do not consider the success to be the result of their own strength, skill or effort (Psalm 44:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Instead, they give the honour to God (Psalm 44:8).

When God’s people have great troubles, that is a reason for them to pray urgently to God. They recognise that they depend wholly upon him, and upon his love for them (Psalm 44:26). They must be careful not to turn away from him or to doubt his promises (Psalm 44:17-18). They remember the good things that he has done in the past (Psalm 44:1-3). That gives them the hope that he will again act on their behalf (Psalm 44:23-24).

More than conquerors

(Romans 8:37)

Paul has just given a list of some of the most severe troubles that people suffer in this world (verse 35). He then adds that God’s people may suffer in a terrible manner because of their relationship with Christ (verse 36). Paul himself had suffered in many of these ways (2 Corinthians 1:8-10 and 11:23-27). However, he did not consider that any such experience could defeat a Christian - in other words, even the worst experiences cannot destroy their relationship with Christ. Instead, God’s people overcome their troubles as they stand firmly for Christ (James 1:2-4).

A ‘conqueror’ is someone who overcomes, especially in battle. Paul uses a form of the same word for ‘overcome’ that appears often in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:26, 3:5, 3:12 and 3:21). In all these places, a Christian overcomes when he stands firmly for Christ through his (that Christian’s) troubles. Paul adds to the word for ‘conqueror’ another word, which means ‘over’; the result is to emphasise it. That is why our translations describe God’s people as ‘more than conquerors’.

God’s people do not overcome their troubles by their own efforts or strength of character (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). They overcome because of Christ, because of his death, which shows his love for them (Revelation 12:11). Christ’s love for his people will never change (Hebrews 13:8); however, in Romans 8:37, Paul speaks about how Christ ‘loved’ his people. As in Galatians 2:20, that is a reference to Christ’s death.

The power of Christ's love

(Romans 8:38)

Paul has given himself the task to examine whether anything can separate God’s people from Christ’s love for them (verse 35). To answer that, Paul must deal with anything and anyone that has power over our lives. We must be able to see that none of these things can separate God’s people from the love of Christ.

In many people’s opinion, nothing seems greater than those things that can cause the life or death of their bodies. That is because death will separate them from everything in this world (Ecclesiastes 9:6).

Christians should think differently about these matters. They should care deeply about the lives of other people (Mark 10:43-44); but they should not think selfishly about their own lives (Mark 10:17-31). Because they are God’s people, they belong to him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). So, if they live, they live for Christ. If they die, they go to be with him in heaven (Philippians 1:21-23). Therefore, even death cannot destroy Christ’s love for them. Instead, by the love of Christ, they overcome death.

Of course, we are often in circumstances where we do not have much control over our own lives. In our natural world, powerful rulers have authority over us, and strong people can use their power against us. In addition, battles in the spirit world affect our lives (Ephesians 6:12), between angels (God’s servants) and demons (the devil’s servants). Perhaps we worry about our present troubles; perhaps we worry even more about future troubles.

However, the love of God, which he shows us in Jesus Christ, is stronger than any of these things (John 3:16; 1 John 4:16). By that love, God makes people who were his enemies, into his children (Romans 5:8; Romans 8:16-19; 1 John 3:1). As the children of God, God’s people will live with him always (Revelation 21:7). Nothing will separate them from his love.

Nothing can separate us from God's love

(Romans 8:39)

Of course, some people refuse to accept God’s love by their wicked behaviour and evil attitudes (1:18-32). Unless such people turn to God, they will only know his anger, and not his love (2:5-11).

However, God’s people are the people who accept his love. Nothing can separate them from that love. In other words, no enemy, and nothing else, can take away from them the love that God has for them. God’s love will be with them through their whole lives (Psalm 23:6). God’s love will bring them to their true home, with Christ in heaven (John 14:2-3).

Paul insists that even the highest and the deepest places cannot separate them from that love. One idea is that, by those words, Paul means heaven, and hell, and their inhabitants. Even the most powerful angel (special servant of God) has no power to separate God’s people from that love. Even the most cruel demon (servant of the devil), or the devil himself, is unable to take God’s love away from them.

Another idea is that Paul is here using the highest and deepest places as a word-picture for human experiences. One person may have great honour, wealth and happiness. Another person is poor and weak, and nobody cares about him. These experiences change through our lives (Philippians 4:11-13) - but God’s love remains constant, whatever our circumstances may be.

God created the heavens, the earth, and all that is in them. There is nothing, either in the natural world or in the spirit world that he did not create (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3). So of course none of these things is more powerful than the love that he shows by means of Christ (5:8-10). Nothing can prevent the operation of his love on behalf of his people, whom he loves (8:31-32).

Links: Romans verse-by-verse index - Homepage - Buy our books