Imagine standing in front of a crowd of Christ followers and speaking the words of Romans 8. As you talk about how the “Spirit of life” has freed us from the power and penalty of sin (verses 1-13), what are you feeling? Are you happy? Sad? Surprised? Fearful? What do you feel as you speak the words of verses 14-17 about our adoption as sons and daughters of God? What about as you speak the words dealing with suffering and hope in verses 18-30?

As we move into our final study in Romans, verses 31-39, it is time to recall all that the Holy Spirit through Paul has communicated to us. From “no condemnation” (8:1) to “no separation” (8:39), Romans 8 is a call to cling to the work of the Holy Spirit in assuring the believer of his rock-solid security in Christ. As Paul approaches the climax of describing this assurance, I sense in Paul an enthusiasm, a zeal, a thrill, an elation that is beyond our human words to describe.

“What then shall we say to these things,” Paul asks – think of this question as the first century equivalent of “So What?” Paul’s “So what” is, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” to which Paul obviously intends an answer, “Nobody.” So we could paraphrase, “If God is for us, nobody can be against us.”

Paul then proceeds to give support for this assertion that, “If God is for us, nobody can be against us.”

• First, Paul points to the deepest support that God is “for us” – namely, that God gave his own Son for us. Paul is not introducing something new here, because he previously made this point in Romans 5:8-9.
• Second, Paul points to the assurance that “God’s elect,” or those that God called (verses 28-30), are guaranteed glorification in the final judgment.
• Third, Paul reiterates that through Christ all things work together for good. After listing several types of hardship, Paul writes that “we are more than conquerors.” A conqueror is one who overcomes opposition, yet as believers, we “more than overcome,” because, for us, “all things work together for good.”
• Finally, Paul presents a personal testimony — “I am sure,” he writes. What a remarkable testimony from a man who has endured so much hardship! (Read, for example, 2 Corinthians 11:26-27 and 12:10.)

Discussion Questions

1. How would you describe the tone of Romans 8:31-39? What are some examples in your life, or that you have seen in others, where that emotion has been on display?
2. Read Romans 5:1-11. How does that passage compare to Romans 8:31-39?
3. Paul makes it a point to support his assertion using theology as well as personal experience. What is your experience regarding “the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord?” In hindsight, how do you see God at work through your suffering and hardships? Be specific.
4. If you had to describe “the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” to another person, how would you describe it?