Rom 8:36-39 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 36. As it is written . . This passage the apostle quotes not as having originally reference to Christians, but as aptly descriptive of their condition. The condition of saints in the time of the psalmist was similar to that of Christians in the time of Paul. The same language would express both. For thy sake . In thy cause; or on account of attachment to thee. we are killed . We are subject to, or exposed to death. We endure suffering equivalent to dying. Comp. , "God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death." All the day long . Continually; constantly. There is no intermission to our danger, and to our exposure to death. We are accounted . We are reckoned; we are regarded, or dealt with. That is, our enemies judge that we ought to die, and deem us the appropriate subjects of slaughter, with as little concern or remorse as the lives of sheep are taken. (s) "For thy sake"

Romans 8:36-39

Verse 36. As it is written. Ps 44:22. This passage the apostle quotes not as having originally reference to Christians, but as aptly descriptive of their condition. The condition of saints in the time of the psalmist was similar to that of Christians in the time of Paul. The same language would express both.

For thy sake. In thy cause; or on account of attachment to thee.

we are killed. We are subject to, or exposed to death. We endure suffering equivalent to dying. Comp. 1Cor 4:9, "God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death."

All the day long. Continually; constantly. There is no intermission to our danger, and to our exposure to death.

We are accounted. We are reckoned; we are regarded, or dealt with. That is, our enemies judge that we ought to die, and deem us the appropriate subjects of slaughter, with as little concern or remorse as the lives of sheep are taken.

(s) "For thy sake" Ps 44:22, 1Cor 15:30,31 Verse 37. Nay. But. Notwithstanding our severe pressures and trials.

In all these things. In the very midst of them; while we are enduring them, we are able to triumph. Comp. 1Cor 15:57.

We are more than conquerors. We gain the victory. That is, they have not power to, subdue us; to alienate our love and confi- dence; to produce apostasy. We are the victors, not they. Our faith is not destroyed; our love is not diminished; our hope is not blasted. But it is not simple victory; it is not mere life, and continuance of what we had before; it is more than simple triumph; it augments our faith, increases our strength, expands our love to Christ. The word used here is a strong, emphatic expression, such as the apostle Paul often employs, (comp. 2Cor 4:17) and which is used with great force and appropriateness here.

Through him, etc. Not by their own strength or power. It was by the might of the Saviour, and by his power pledged to them, and confirmed by the love evinced when he gave himself for them. Comp. Php 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

(t) "in all these things" 1Cor 15:57 (u) "through him" Jude 1:24 Verse 38. For I am persuaded. I have a strong and unwavering confidence. Latin Vulgate, "I am certain." The expression here implies unwavering certainty.

Neither death. Neither the fear of death, nor all the pains and tortures of the dying scene, even in the most painful trials of persecution; death in no form.

Nor life. Nor the hope of life; the love of life; the offer of life made to us by our persecutors, on condition of abjuring our Christian faith. The words evidently refer to times of persecution; and it was not uncommon for persecutors to offer life to Christians, on condition of their renouncing attachment to the Saviour, and offering sacrifice to idols. All that was demanded in the times of persecution under the Roman emperors was, that they should throw a few grams of incense on the altar of a heathen god, as expressive of homage to the idol. But even this they would not do. The hope of life on so very easy terms would not, could not, alienate them from the love of Christ.

Nor angels. It seems to be apparent that good angels cannot be intended here. The apostle was saying that nothing would separate Christians from the love of Christ. Of course, it would be implied that the things which he specifies might be supposed to have some power or tendency to do it. But it is not conceivable that good angels, who are "sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," (Heb 1:14) should seek to alienate the minds of Christians from the Saviour, or that their influence should have any such tendency. It seems to be clear, therefore, that he refers to the designs and temptations of evil spirits. The word angels is applied to evil spirits in Mt 25:41, 1Cor 6:3.

Nor principalities, (αρχαι). This word usually refers to magistrates and civil rulers. But it is also applied to evil angels, as having dominion over men. Eph 6:12, "For we wrestle against--principalities." Col 2:15, "And having spoiled principalities." 1Cor 15:24, "When he shall have put down rule," Greek, (αρχην). Some have supposed that it refers here to magistrates, and those in authority, who persecuted Christians; but the connexion of the word with angels seems to require us to understand it of evil spirits.

Nor powers. This word (δυναμεις) is often applied to magistrates; but it is also applied to evil spirits that have dominion over men, 1Cor 15:24. The ancient rabbins also give the name powers to evil angels. (Schleusner.) There can be no doubt that the Jews were accustomed to divide the angels of heaven into various ranks and orders, traces of which custom we find often in the Scriptures. And there is also reason to suppose that they made such a division with reference to evil angels, regarding Satan as their leader, and other evil spirits, divided into various ranks, as subordinate to him. See Mt 25:41, Eph 6:12 Col 2:15. To such a division there is probably reference here; and the meaning is, that no order of evil angels, however powerful, artful, or numerous, would be able to alienate the hearts of Christians from their Redeemer.

Nor things present. Calamities and persecutions to which we are now subject.

Nor things to come. Trials to which we may be yet exposed. It evinced strong confidence to say that no possible trials should be sufficient to destroy their love for Christ. Verse 39. Nor height. This has been variously understood. Some have regarded it as referring to evil spirits in the air; others, to high and lofty speculations in doctrine; others, to heaven--to all that is in heaven. I regard it here as synonymous with prosperity, honour, elevation in this life. The meaning is, that no possible circumstances in which Christians could be placed, though surrounded with wealth, honour, splendour, and though elevated to rank and office, could alienate them from the love of Christ. The tendency of these things to alienate the mind, to engross the affections, and to occupy the time, all know; but the apostle says that even these would not be sufficient to withdraw their strong love from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Nor depth. Nor the lowest circumstances of depression, poverty, contempt, and want; the very lowest rank of life.

Nor any other creature. Nor any other created thing; any other thing in the universe; anything that can occur. This expresses the most unwavering confidence that all who were Christians would certainly continue to love the Lord Jesus, and be saved.

Shall be able. Shall have power to do it. The love to Christ is stronger than any influence which they can exert on the mind.

The love of God. The love which we have to God.

Which is in Christ Jesus. Which is produced and secured by his work. Of which he is the bond, the connecting link. It was caused by his mediation; it is secured by his influence; it is in and through him, and him alone, that men love God. There is no true love of God which is not produced by the work of Christ. There is no man who truly loves the Father, who does not do it in and by the Son.

SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 8

Perhaps there is no chapter in the Bible on the whole so interesting and consoling to the Christian as this; and there certainly is not to be found anywhere a specimen of more elevated, animated, and lofty eloquence and argumentation. We may remark in view of it,

(1.) that it is the highest honour that can be conferred on mortal man to be a Christian.

(2.) Our trials in this life are scarcely worth regarding in comparison with our future glory.

(3.) Calamities should be borne without a murmur; nay, without a sigh.

(4.) The Christian has every possible security for his safety. The purposes of God, the work of Christ, the aid of the Holy Ghost, and the tendency of all events under the direction of his Father and Friend, conspire to secure his welfare and salvation.

(5.) With what thankfulness, then, should we approach the God of mercy. In the gospel we have a blessed and cheering hope, which nothing else can produce, and which nothing can destroy. Safe in the hands of God our Redeemer, we may commit our way to him, whether it lead through persecutions, or trials, or sickness, or a martyr's grave; and triumphantly we may wait until the day of our complete adoption--the entire redemption of soul and body --shall fully come.