Our passage from Romans this week begins with Paul asking:
What then shall we say about these things? — Rom 8:31 (LEB)
What things? We don’t know what to say about any of the things until we know what they are. We need to read what precedes this passage in order to understand it all. Remember, Paul wrote this as one complete letter with no chapter or verse separations. So let’s look back a few verses to get a better understanding of Paul’s perspective.
For I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us. 19 For the eagerly expecting creation awaits eagerly the revelation of the sons of God. 20 For the creation has been subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its servility to decay, into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans together and suffers agony together until now. 23 Not only this, but we ourselves also, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves while we await eagerly our adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we await it eagerly with patient endurance. 26 And likewise also, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as one ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with unexpressed groanings. 27 And the one who searches our hearts knows what the mindset of the Spirit is, because he intercedes on behalf of the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose, 29 because those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he should be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined, these he also called, and those whom he called, these he also justified, and those whom he justified, these he also glorified. — Rom 8:18–30 (LEB)
Paul is reflecting on how the sufferings we endure in our lives, no matter how calamitous we may consider them at the moment, are insignificant when compared to the glory that awaits us; that the entire world is suffering due to sin and is awaiting judgment to have its order restored; that hope guides us through those times; that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, guiding our prayers as needed; that God uses the bad things that happen to us in a positive way to help us or others in future difficulties; and that determined these things in advance, calling justifying, and ultimately glorifying those whom he has chosen.
That’s when Paul asks his rhetorical question, “What shall we say about these things?”
Paul then points out that if God did not spare his own son from suffering and death, we can be assured that he is willing to ensure we remain attached to the sacrifice and enjoy its benefits.
The image I have is of a child crossing the street with his parent. The parent is holding the child’s hand, and the child is holding on to his parent’s hand. Whose grip do you think matters here, the child’s or the parents? It’s the same with God and us. His grip is stronger than our attempts to pull free of it. Here is Paul’s Description:
If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, together with him, freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ is the one who died, and more than that, who was raised, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or hunger or lack of sufficient clothing or danger or the sword? 36 Just as it is written, “On account of you we are being put to death the whole day long; we are considered as sheep for slaughter.” 37 No, but in all these things we prevail completely through the one who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Rom 8:31–39 (LEB)
The phrase translated in the LEB as prevail completely is often translated elsewhere as more than conquerors. While both are accurate, one is less understandable, as the latter seems to imply multiple levels of conqueror equivalents, with some high level of Conqueror Plus, to which Christians belong. The understanding that our gain is a complete and overwhelming victory is what Paul described in the original text, but it loses clarity if we merely carry the translated words forward without regard to the intended thought behind them.
The victory is already his; the fight is over.
The fact that you are reading this article is an indication that God has touched your heart and is bringing you closer to him in discipleship. His grip is strong, and he promises not to let go.
Grace and Peace,
Fr. Austin