Romans 9:14–29

¹⁴ What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! ¹⁵ For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” ¹⁶ So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. ¹⁷ For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” ¹⁸ Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. ¹⁹ You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” ²⁰ But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” ²¹ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? ²² What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, ²³ and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, ²⁴ even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? ²⁵ As He says also in Hosea: “I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved.” ²⁶ “And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There they shall be called sons of the living God.” ²⁷ Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved. ²⁸ For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.” ²⁹ And as Isaiah said before: “Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We would have become like Sodom, And we would have been made like Gomorrah.”

Commentary

Vs. 14-16 The Apostle Paul now answers any objections to what he has already stated about God's election of individuals to be His own. Thus he begins by saying: ¹⁴ What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! ¹⁵ For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” ¹⁶ So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 

There is then no unrighteousness with God when He elects individuals to be His own. For God is Sovereign, and that means if He elects some to salvation while He rejects others, than God is perfectly just in His doing so, because He is God. Just as He said to Moses in revealing His Person to him; “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” (Exodus 33:19). Thus salvation is not something someone wills for themselves, nor is salvation something one earns for themselves (i.e. "him who runs") salvation is, and always will be, of God who shows mercy. Thus every child of God is chosen by the Sovereign Will of God (John 1:13; 6:37; 17:2). 

Vs. 17-18 ¹⁷ For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” ¹⁸ Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

The Apostle Paul now cites Pharaoh as a Biblical example of God's Sovereignty reaching even into the realms of a pagan ruler (who at the time was the most powerful ruler on earth). But who only became as much so that God could show His Power in him. That is when God hardened Pharaoh's heart and brought His plagues on Pharaoh and Egyptians, it was so that God's Power would be revealed to one and to all in him, that God's Name would be declared in all the earth. Thus whatever deity that was being ascribed to the Egyptian Pharaoh's, or power that was being ascribed to him or their "gods" at that time, it was completely crushed by the Divine Power and Revelation of Almighty God through him. "Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens." vs. 18

Vs. 19-21 ¹⁹ You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” ²⁰ But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” ²¹ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

Here the Apostle Paul steps into the shoes of an unbeliever who reasons since no can resist God's Will, why does He then still find fault with them. In essence it is their assaulting the Sovereignty and Character of God by indirectly blaming Him for ones own unbelief and or wilful disobedience. Yet God's election of anyone does not make void ones own free-will to choose to believe and obey Him or not too. Everybody has a choice to believe and obey God or not too. Therefore if God finds fault with any of us, the fault is with us, not God (consider Job 42:1-6 and his repentance before Him). Therefore no one can justly reply against God, for that is only the creature in their pride exalting themselves above God the Creator and His Infinite Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding of all things, whose prerogative alone it is to make (and or remake) each one of us according to His own will and desires, whether for honor or dishonor (vs 19-20). Therefore to break this down for us, the Apostle Paul now uses the analogy of the potter and his clay to set this principle forth, saying, "Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?" vs. 21
And so vessel here is a metaphor for our person. Thus God takes us as lumps of clay, yet unformed, and forms us into either vessels for honor or dishonor according to His own Sovereign Will (consider Isaiah 43:7). There is then no apology given for this, since we are all individually accountable to God for what we do, not for how we are made (Psalm 58:3; Isaiah 48:8; 2 Peter 2:9). 

Vs. 22-23 ²² What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, ²³ and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 

The Apostle Paul now seeks to answer the question to reveal how God's wrath and His power is manifested through those who by their own willfulness and unbelief have become the objects of it (consider John 3:35-36; Rom. 1:18-19; 2:4-8; Col. 3:5-6; Rev. 6:16-17; 11:18). It harkens back to what God Himself said about Pharaoh and God's raising him up to demonstrate His power in him, and thus helps us to understand God's dealings with us all in the light of His election of us for His mercy, while He defers His wrath for a season from those who run head strong against Him. Now that God defers His wrath from the vessels of wrath is only because of His longsuffering Nature through which He does not need to immediately execute His just wrath on them (though He does exercise a form of judgment against them in this life, when He turns them over to their sins (see Rom 1:18-32) which then makes them fully qualified or prepared for His wrath. Thus the Apostle Paul says that through God's longsuffering they are prepared for destruction (vs. 22). Not that God makes anyone to be destroyed, rather people by their own rebellion, disobedience and ultimately by their hardening themselves towards God and His Will become prepared by God for the day of doom (Prov 16:4; 2 Peter 3:9). And so just as God prepares unbelieving and unrepentant people for His wrath (John 3:36), so He also prepares those who believe in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ for His mercy (Rom 5:9). Thus on the one hand of God there is the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction (gr. ἀπώλεια, Str 684), while in the other there is the vessels of mercy, which He prepared before hand for glory, through which He is making known the riches of His glory, to one and to all (vs. 23). 

Vs. 24-26 ²⁴ even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? ²⁵ As He says also in Hosea: “I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved.” ²⁶ “And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There they shall be called sons of the living God.” 

The Apostle Paul in declaring this great grace of God in electing us to be the recipients of it is not limiting it to just the believing Jews, but as the Scripture says, this also encompasses every believing Gentile. As evidence of this fact he cites Hosea 2:23 and 1:10 in verses 25-26 respectively. Thus from once unloved, that is not loved by God as one who is in a covenant relationship with Himself, to now beloved, and sharing in all of His covenant promises that we have in Him through Christ, so we have been brought into the New Covenant of God as full and equal partakers of it with the Jews through Christ (see Eph. 2:11-21; Gal. 3:26-29). Thus we have been called by God to be sons of the living God through Christ. (Note: The word translated "son's" here is being used generically for all of God's children whether male or female, old or young etc.).

Vs. 27-29 ²⁷ Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved. ²⁸ For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.” ²⁹ And as Isaiah said before: “Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We would have become like Sodom, And we would have been made like Gomorrah.”

The Apostle Paul now cites from Isaiah 10:22-23 in verses 27-28. It is a profound prophecy of God's remnant who escape their nations apostasy and their dependency on foreign nations and powers for their deliverance, and instead return wholly and completely to the Lord God in truth who then saves them (something that will still see fulfillment in the Great Tribulation Period, i.e. "Jacobs Troubles"). Thus it is a prophecy with then current and ongoing implications for the believing remnant (the true nation of Israel which down through the ages God has faithfully preserved for Himself). As Isaiah said before: “Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We would have become like Sodom, And we would have been made like Gomorrah.” Vs. 29

Now the seed in verse 29 (citing from Isaiah 1:9) is the remnant of Jews (consider 1 Kings 19:18) whom the Lord chose to preserve, from these the Nation of Israel would carry on as such. And so it is that the Lord preserved the Nation of Israel through both the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities and on through the Greek and Roman empires at which time He brought forth the Christ who know offers salvation one and to all who believe in His Name. And so it is that the nation of Israel as a whole redemption has been put on hold until the fulfillment of the Gentiles has come in and then all Israel will be saved, but that's getting ahead of ourselves. For now what matters most to you is that you have entered into God's Rest (Hebrews 4:10) and taken the Lord Jesus Christ's yoke upon you by faith in His Person (Matt. 11:28-30) and thus ceased from trying to earn salvation for yourselves then please do so now. For that is where the Apostle Paul is heading next, preaching and teaching the way of salvation which is not by ones works, but by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person, crucified for our sins and transgressions and Risen from the dead for our justification before God. Therefore if you have not yet made that personal decision to repent and believe and thus receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith then by all means do so now. By a simple prayer of faith you can receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life who then changes you! Therefore simply pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe that You are the Son of God and that Your were crucified for my sins and that You rose from the dead on the third day so that I can have new and everlasting with You. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, in Jesus' Name, amen. 

Scripture Quotation

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Romans 9:6-13

⁶ But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, ⁷ nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” ⁸ That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. ⁹ For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁰ And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac ¹¹ (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), ¹² it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” ¹³ As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”

Commentary

Vs. 6-9 In response to Israel's current rejection of the gospel, and God's promises of their redemption through it, the Apostle Paul now addresses this aspect of God's redemption plans for them, and for us all. And so the Apostle begins by saying that it's not that the Word of God has taken no effect. Rather they are not all Israel who are Israel. That is simply because one is a citizen of the nation of Israel, does not mean they are actually citizens of the Israel of God (Gal. 6:16). Similarly, simply because one is a descendant of Abraham does not make them a child of God (Gal. 6:15). This is made clear with the Apostle Paul quoting from 21:12 where God says to Abraham to listen to Sara in wanting him to put Hagar and Ishmael away, saying to him to do this because, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” And so it was that even though Ishmael was Abraham's firstborn son, God's promise to Abraham was that it would be Sara who would bring forth the promised son, as the Apostle quotes in verse 9 from Genesis 18:10, 14 where God says to him;“At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.” And so it is just as the Apostle says in verse 8, "...those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed." 

For that is how all the children of God are known, not by the flesh, but only by believing God's promise to them, and thus who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Gospel of John states: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:13-14 Therefore sonship with God is not by the works of man, but only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whether one is a Jew or a Gentile (see Gal. 3:7, 26, 29; 4:28-31; 6:15; also Rom 4:13-25).

Vs. 10-13 ¹⁰ And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac ¹¹ (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), ¹² it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” ¹³ As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”

The Apostle now further his reasoning on this by looking at Rebecca. That Paul says that she had conceived by one man is emphasizing that though both Rebecca and Isaac were the parents by whom Esau and Jacob were conceived, and the children were conceived at the same time, God's choosing of Isaac was based on nothing other than God's Sovereign Desires to do so. As he states in verse eleven, "for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls." And so it is God's election of individuals to be His own is not based not on their merits, or lack thereof, but rather according to His own Sovereign Right and Will to do so. For God elects individuals to be His own, and or to fulfill His purposes in the earth (more on that later), that is the Scriptural truth and reality (consider John 6:37; 17:2; Acts 13:48; Rom 8:28-30; 9:22-23; Eph. 1:3-5, 11 etc.). As God said to Rebecca of the children in her womb, “The older shall serve the younger.” (see Gen. 25:23). Thus Esau the firstborn would be subordinate to Jacob. As God would later reiterate to the nation of Israel, through the prophet Malachi, when He said of them, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” (see Malachi 1:2-3). That God hated (gr. miseo, Str 3404) Esau needs no apology from us. For God who creates all things knows the heart of all things, and thus does not and will not explain to us His Sovereign works and reasoning's in His election of some while rejecting others. We simply believe and trust that whatever decisions He makes about anyone or anything are fully in accord with His Perfect understanding and Perfect dealings with all people in all things. And so the Apostle Paul will address peoples inherent objections to this, through their own finite understanding of things, in the next section of Romans. 

Scripture Quotation

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Romans 9:1-5

¹ I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, ² that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, ⁴ who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; ⁵ of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. 

Commentary
Preamble
The Apostle Paul having given one of the most encouraging discourses on each and every believers security In Christ, now turns to an issue close to his heart. And that is the redemption of the Israelites, God's covenant people. Given that they had for the most part rejected their Messiah, it seems one may have to wonder just how God's plans for their redemption would unfold. Now within this framework of Israel's redemption (chapters 9-11), the Apostle Paul will also enlighten us further about the election of both the Jews and the Gentiles to salvation. 

Vs. 1-3 And so the Apostle Paul begins by declaring his deep desire to see Israel saved. The Holy Spirit bearing him witness that what he is saying is his heartfelt longing to see God's covenant people brought into the fulfillment of their covenant relationship with God through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed the Apostle Paul would say "I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart" because of the Jews separation from God. Indeed Paul will go so far as to say that if it were possible he himself would rather be accursed from Christ if it meant his own countrymen and brethren (according to the flesh), the Israelites would believe, and thus receive Christ as their Messiah, which will bring them into the Kingdom of God (vs. 1-3). For they had not, and thus the Apostle Paul suffered some of his worst persecution at their hands (consider Acts 9:22-23; 13:42-52, vs. 45, 50; 14:1-7, vs. 2, 4; 17:1-8, vs. 5-8; 17:10-15, vs. 13 etc.).  Indeed the early church likewise suffered severe persecution at the hands of unbelieving Jews. For just as they rejected and conspired to kill the Lord Jesus Christ with the unbelieving Gentiles, so they rejected and persecuted all who later followed Him, whether Jews or Gentiles (Acts 6:8-8:1-4; 10:34-43, vs. 39; 12:1-4 etc.). 

Vs. 4-5 The Apostle Paul now mentions six things which came from God through the Jews, but are in no way limited to them. The first being mentioned is "the adoption" (see Rom 8:15, 23, Gal 4:5; Eph. 1:3). The adoption pertains to us all who are called and chosen by Christ to be God's children (whether we were Jews or Gentiles, John 15:16, 19) this being verified to us by the Spirit of adoption i.e. the Holy Spirit within us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. And so it is that we must all be adopted into God's family. For no one is inherently born into God's family because of their lineage, we all must come into God's family by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son. That said, it must not be forgotten that the Gospel first came to the Jews, and was brought us all through them. 

"the glory", Pertains to God's Presence amongst God's people, which in Old Testament times most clearly seen and portrayed by the Ark of the Covenant amongst them (1 Sam 4:21). Both the Tabernacle and later the Temple was the dwelling place of the glory of God's Presence. In the N.T. times each and every believer becomes the Temple of the Lord, and thus has within them the glory of God, both individually (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Cor 6:16-7:1) and specifically as a body of believers we bear the glory of God collectively (Eph. 2:20). Which is why how we conduct ourselves in and outside of the house of faith is so important. and which is why reverence inside of the house of faith also matters. 

"the covenants", Both Old and New Covenants came through the Jews, the Old now being superseded by the New, which the Lord Jesus Christ Himself ushered in with His crucifixion death and resurrection from the dead (Matt. 26:26-29; 2 Cor 3:5-11; Hebrews 8:7-13; 12:18-24). 

"the giving of the law", The Law was given through Moses to govern the nation of Israel. It was to stand as God's witness to all nations and peoples that the Israelites were God's people (Deut. 4:6). And so it is that the Jews were not only to observe the Law but they were down through the centuries the keepers of it's written ordinances. Now the Law though commanded of them to observe was also to teach them that by their own works redemption could not come to either the Jews or Gentiles, since no one can keep the Law to eternal life (Acts 15:7-11; Gal. 3:10-14). Rather the Law serves as a Tutor which points all people to God through faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (see Gal. 3:19-25). Similarly the Law (though written on the hearts of every born-again believer) is not what governs either the church, or the individual believers within it (Rom 6:14; 7:4-6). Rather we are under the New Covenant, and thus we are governed by the Lord Jesus Christ whose Word and Spirit is to govern us, since both grace and truth is found there (Matt. 7:12; John 1:17; 2 Cor 3:5-9, 18; Gal 5:16-23). Now for those who reject the grace of God and continue on in their unbelief, self-sufficiency, and or sins, the Law will be the means through which God judges them (1 Tim 1:7-11).  

 "the service of God", Again began with and was entrusted to the Jews. Now as this pertains to Israel, this was the priesthood and all of it's rituals and ceremonial ordinances, Sabbath's and or commanded festivals/feast days that they were to observe when Moses received the Law and all of it's statutes and ordinances on Mount Sinai from God (Ex 19:20-). None of which could bring their redemption, but were directly, or indirectly, pointing them to the Day of Redemption, when the Lord Jesus Christ would suffer crucifixion death for our eternal redemption from sin and death. And so it is that Jesus would say of the Law, and thus the service of God through it: "The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it."  Luke 16:16 Now there is a future fulfillment of the service of God according to the Law that the Israelites will fulfill during the Lord Jesus Christ's millennial earthly reign, but their observance of the Feast of Tabernacles then will be during a time where through it God tests both them, and those nations who dwell on the earth with them (see Zechariah 14:16-21). Then at the end of that time there will be one last Satanic rebellion which will be destroyed by God by fire (Rev. 20:4-10), before the Lord Jesus' Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15), after which the Everlasting Kingdom will be ushered in (Rev. 21:1-22:5). Now as the service of God pertains to us in the New Covenant era, every believer is to serve God through the Lord Jesus Christ with whatever gifts and talents and in whatever capacities and opportunities He provides us with to serve Him (See John 12:26; Col 3:23-24). 

"the promises" That is the Scriptural promises of God all came through the Jews, but are not at all limited to them. 

Vs. 5 Finally the Apostle Paul mentions in verse five that through the Jews came the fathers, i.e. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph to whom God promised not only His blessing upon them but through them He would bring His blessing into the world, specifically through the King that would descend from them, the Messiah, i.e. the Christ, "who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen

And so God's blessing is now extended to one and to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, whether they are a Jew or a Gentile. The only question then is have you received Jesus as the eternally blessed God, as King of kings and Lord of lords, who brings life everlasting and blessing to all who repent and believe in Him. For that is what God requires of everyone, to honor and obey Him, by believing in and obeying His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom He has committed all judgment, (John 5:22-30). Now for those who do there is the promise of remission of all their sins and everlasting life here and now, but for those who do not there is also God's promise of everlasting wrath on them (John 3:34-35). And so the choice is ours to receive the Lord Jesus Christ and have new and everlasting life by faith in Him. Therefore I urge you make a decesion  for the Lord Jesus Christ today!

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Romans 8:31-39

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 delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” ³⁷ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Commentary
Vs. 31 Since our Everlasting God and Father has already chosen us, and predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son, who then can thwart His plans for us? As the Apostle Paul asks here, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"  Since it is God, the Eternally Sovereign and Powerful One, who is Father, Son, and Spirit who has no equal, who is working out His Will for us in all our circumstances of life. Therefore if God is for us who can be against us? Who? Who can overthrow His plans and will for us? Who? Every "stick" they yield and every "stone" they throw is simply nothing before His Everlasting OmniPresence and Power. And so it is that all that comes our way simply hastens His fulfilling His own eternally good, and grand, and glorious purposes for us.  

Vs. 32 Now the reason we believe God will fulfill His purposes for us, is based on the fact that if He did not spare His own Son whom He loves from suffering crucifixion death for us, but He "...delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"  

Therefore if God has already paid the highest price to save us from everlasting destruction and ruin, how shall He not now with His Son freely give us all things? For God Himself has already paid the highest price for our redemption from sin and death would He then withhold anything less? And so it is that God Himself has inseparably linked us and our well being with Himself through His Son, guaranteeing not only our spiritual survival, but also our glorification with Christ as well. 

Vs. 33 "Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies." 

For anyone then too try to bring a charge against God's elect is only to be refuted by God Himself. Since He Himself has already justified us through the death and resurrection of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus our faith in Jesus not only saves us from the wrath to come, But it also perpetually justifies us in God's sight for having trusted Him through His Son (Rom 5:1). Thus whoever would bring a charge against us as God's elect would have to find fault with Christ Himself. Since Jesus not only lives in us, but He has also imputed His Righteousness to us. And so it is that it is God Himself who justifies us, for He has already met all of the legal requirements for our eternal justification. 

Vs. 34  "Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us." 

And thus in ascending the high notes of redemption the Apostle now asks, "Who is he who condemns?" Since all who would try to do so would have to condemn God Himself who justifies us. Again this is done because of what Jesus has already done for our justification, through His own crucifixion death and resurrection from the dead, He has secured our justification for us. But not only that Jesus ascended on High and is now seated at the right hand of God making intercession for us. Therefore to seek to condemn us would mean they would have to condemn not only us, but also God's Holy Son and all He has done to redeem us, and is now doing in His ongoing interceding for us. 

Vs. 35-37  ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” ³⁷ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Now since there is no one in the material or spiritual realms who can condemn us, the Apostle now asks if there is anyone or anything that could ever separate us from the love of Christ? Whether this be tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" And so though we all as God's saints have down through the ages been the objects of this worlds wrath and contempt, to various degrees and such, as the Apostle Paul quotes from the Scripture: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Thus not only can we not be condemned by any opposing force, power, or person in this world, we cannot be defeated either. Since it is God who upholds us all against the overwhelming opposition, who though they may kill the body, they cannot kill the soul, since Christ has already secured us with Himself for all eternity. And so no believer should ever fear separation from God, for that is not in the realm of possibilities for us. 

Vs. 38-39 ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And so to cement that truth in our hearts and minds, indeed to build upon it to it's utmost end, the Apostle Paul now searches out every possibility, in case any traces of doubt remain. Death, life, angels, principalities or powers, things present nor things to come (i.e. our circumstances), height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God's Sovereignty over all things assures each and every believers security In Christ and standing with God Himself. And so there is simply nothing or no-one who can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. The only question remains then are you inside or outside of that love? For all that is Christian begins by first being In Christ. Something which requires a definitive decision to repent and believe in the Gospel through one's faith being exclusively in the Lord Jesus Christ; crucified for our sins remission and risen from the dead for our justification, and now ascended on High and seated at the right hand of God, waiting till all His enemies are made His footstool. For not until one believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as testified to in the Scriptures does God come and make His dellwing inside of us, dwelling inside each and every one of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ by His Holy Spirit, who not only brings us to life, but also sanctifies and seals us for eternal life. Bringing us into the love of God In Christ Jesus our Lord and placing His love inside of each and everyone of us who believe. Therefore I urge you all here and now if you have not made that decision for the Lord Jesus Christ to come and receive His invitation to everlasting life here and now (John 14:6; Rev. 22:17, 21:6-8). For by a simple prayer done in faith, inviting the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life to be your Lord and Savior you can have and know the love of God that is In Christ Jesus for you. Therefore simply pray something like this:
Dear Lord Jesus I believe that You were crucified for my sins and transgressions and then You rose from the dead so that I can now have new and everlasting life with You the moment I believe in You. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior in Jesus' Name, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Word Studies 

Vs. 33 charge, ἐγκαλέω; Str 1458; GK 1592; TDNT 3.496; TDNTA 394; LN 33.427; Acts 19:38, 40; 23:28, 29; 26:2, 7; Rom 8:33) 7x

"to brings charges", "to accuse", someone of some serious fault or wrong, often in a legal setting. The implication in context being that no-one can bring a condemning charge against God's elect in His courtroom, because He has already justified us through the death and resurrection of His Son. 

Vs. 34 condemns, κατακρίνω; Str 2632; GK 2891; TDNT 3.951; TDNTA 469; LN 56.31 (Matthew 12:41-42; 20:18; 27:3; Mark 10:33; 14:64; 16:16; Luke 11:31-32; John 8:10-11; Rom 2:1; 8:3, 34; 14:23; 1 Cor 11:32; Heb 11:7; James 5:9; 2 Peter 2:6) 19x

Additional Resources Consulted 
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001.

Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.

Romans 8:18-30

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; ²¹ because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ²³ Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. ²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Commentary 

Vs. 18 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Here the Apostle Paul does not reflect upon his own sufferings for the Kingdom of heavens sake, rather his focus is fully on the future glory that shall be revealed in all us who believe in Jesus Christ. And so he can boldly say of both his and our sufferings down here that they are not worthy to be compared with that future glory up there. Where Jesus Christ's resurrected glory shall be fully seen in us all. Now what "not worthy" literally means here is that our sufferings have absolutely no comparable value to our future glory with Christ. Like trying to equate a millimeter with a mile. And so whatever trials and tribulations we must pass through in this life before God reveals His glory in us there, these should only be seen as just that, temporary and fleeting. 

Vs. 19 "For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God." 

The eager anticipation of all of creation which itself is intently watching/waiting for the revealing of the sons of God. For with the revealing of the sons of God its own redemption from sin and death will be ushered in as well when the Lord Jesus Christ sets up His Everlasting Kingdom (consider Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:3). 

Vs. 20-21 ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; ²¹ because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 

With Adam and Eve's fall, and sin entering the world through them, God subjected not only them, but all of creation to futility. And that is the current state of all of creation, held down and held in bondage and corruption and decay through sin. And so there is this futility about it all, often seen through the endless cycles of birth, life, and death and all the worthless endeavours in between that bring neither peace nor rest to ones soul. Indeed all of creation manifests that tossed and turbulent and alienated state from God that it is all now under because of sin.  Now if that was all that there is to this life, then God would have subjected all of creation to futility without hope. But that is not what God did, He subjected creation to futility in hope. In the hope of its redemption. A Redemption which from the very beginning is spoken of in the Bible as coming only through our Lord Jesus Christ. And so it is that just as we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have been delivered from that futility, so all of creation itself will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (vs. 21). When the Lord Jesus Christ returns and sets up His everlasting Kingdom in a new heavens and new earth (see Isaiah 65:17-25; 2 Peter 3:3; Rev 21:3-8).  Until then we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are the "firstfruits" of God's redemption of all of creation, being not only new creations In Christ, but we will be apart of the whole new creation when Christ returns. 

Vs. 22 -23 ²² For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ²³ Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 

And so it is that all of creation groans and labors with birth pangs waiting for its own redemption from sin. Just as we who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. Thus there is this groaning from creation which is also longing for its own redemption from sin and death. But until that Day, we who believe have the firstfruits of the Spirit who has sealed our persons guaranteeing our adoption and the redemption of our bodies (Eph 1:13-14). For our souls having already been redeemed and transferred into the Kingdom of heaven, our bodies will also be transformed into their final eternal glorious state when Christ returns and sets up His everlasting Kingdom (see 1 Cor 15:35-49; 1 Thess 4:13-18).

Vs. 24-25 ²⁴ For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

For we were saved in this hope, of having a future with Christ that will be free of sin, and thus all of the travails and pain and sorrow and death because of it.  For that is when sin (with all of it's pernicious effects) will cease to ever be in us or around us, creation having likewise been delivered from it all forever. Hope then like faith is not something that we have by observance (consider 2 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 11:3). Hope like faith comes from the assurance of knowing God's Person and His Unalterable Character and Word. Therefore if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance, because we know and believe the Source and the Guarantor of it.

Vs. 26-27 ²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Therefore, just as the Spirit of God has sealed us and is sanctifying us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for all eternity, so His Work down here also entails the ministry of intercession. For He not only gives life to our mortal bodies, and Spirit gifts to our persons, but He also helps in our weaknesses (vs. 25). Weakness here being an encompassing thought, whether physical, mental, or spiritual. It is the Spirit of God in our times of weakness or duress who comes alongside of us in prayer and makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (vs. 26). Now these groanings are not "tongues speaking", these are the Spirit interceding to God for us, whose groanings cannot be uttered. For it is the Spirit of God whose groanings on our behalf God alone understands. For just as God searches the hearts, He also knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God (vs. 27). Thus the glorious congruity of the Trinity always works together in perfect harmony on our behalf. With Jesus our High Priest always making intercession for us (Rom 8:34, Heb. 7:25). Though the emphasis here is on the Spirit of God, because in this chapter His work in our persons and lives is being highlighted. 

Vs. 28-30 ²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

And so it is our Sovereign God and Father who is working out all things together for our good. Not that all things we experience in our lives are good or will be good. Rather God is working all things together for good, to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Vs. 28).
Now that we love God is something that we have from God, who alone is love and who places His love in each and every one of us who repent and believe in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ through the Gospel (Rom 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14; 1 John 4:19). For God's promise here is to all of us who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. A purpose that begins and ends with the glorification of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus our being called by Him is so that we might become apart of that grand purpose, of becoming a people through whom His Son is praised and ultimately glorified.

Now God's foreknowledge of us means in His eternal knowledge of all things He chose us beforehand (LN), and thus is linked with His election of our persons (Eph. 1:4), and here specifically of His predestination of our persons to be conformed to the image of His Son. Therefore we know that all things work together for our good, because having known us in eternity past, God is working out for us an eternal future with Himself, with that great goal in mind of conforming us to the image of His Son. Everything in between then is in many ways a part of our journey as we pass from one glory to the other, until Jesus takes His place as the firstborn amongst many brethren, having the highest place of prominence and pre eminence amongst us all who believe in Him (vs. 29).

"Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."

There is then no happenchance of our coming to know God personally through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. From start to finish God has brought about our salvation, working His will into our lives at just the right time in His eternal designs for us all. Notice to in the progression: "predestined", "called", "justified", "glorified" from start to finish it is all the Work of God. And so we have hope in even our most hopeless circumstances, joy in our most defeated times, and guidance in our search for direction. Because we know that it is our Sovereign God and Father who is working out for us and through us His eternal plans for us all who believe in and seek to obey His Son.

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted 
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 123). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 362). New York: United Bible Societies