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ROMANOS CAPÍTULO 8
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Chapter 8 of Romans is one of the most blessed, encouraging chapters,

exciting verses from the Bible for the person who is "IN CHRIST JESUS" (compare verse
1, verse 39). The chapter begins with NO CONDEMNATION (v.1) and ends
NO SEPARATION (verses 35-39). The key word, in the first part
From this chapter, it is the word 'SPIRIT' (it occurs 20 times in chapter 8 while only
appears 4 times in the first 7 chapters!)

The person who is 'IN CHRIST JESUS' is safe and protected forever (v.1).
Chapter 8 of Romans is one of the key chapters of the Bible that clearly presents the
doctrine of eternal security.

No condemnation (judgment) (v.1). Not a bit of condemnation! Compare also

John 3:18; 5:24 and 1 Corinthians 11:32. The word 'condemnation' literally means
judgment coming (about someone). The judgment of God will not come down upon me! God
condemned Your Son - Isaiah 53:10-12 (So that I may never be condemned (Rom 8:1)! The
God's judgment descended upon His only Son so that His judgment would not
it would have to fall on me!

The true believer will not enter into condemnation or judgment (John 5:24). The wrath
(judgment) of God was poured out upon Him. "He was wounded for our transgressions,
bruised for our iniquities... the Lord laid on him the iniquities of us all
(Isaiah 53:5-6). And when we come to Christ in faith, we are justified and declared
"INNOCENTS" by the Judge of the whole universe! We are "in Christ Jesus", He who is
OUR LIFE.
On one hand, we are informed that the believer will not enter into judgment (John 5:24 and
Romans 8:1) and, on the other hand, we are informed that every believer will appear before
the tribunal of Christ (Romans 14:10). How to understand these two apparently fact
contradictory?
1) The believer will never stand before God having Him as JUDGE to be condemned for
your sins are punished for your sins. This condemnation and punishment has already come upon
Christ our Substitute (Romans 8:3).
The believer will stand before the tribunal of Christ to account for how faithfully
he lived the Christian life from the day he was saved. The question will be rewards or
loss of rewards (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). Loss of rewards does not mean
loss of salvation. Even the most unfaithful Christian at the tribunal of Christ "will be saved" and
not condemned (1 Corinthians 3:15).
Who can claim and enjoy this wonderful declaration of "WITHOUT
CONDEMNATION? Only those who are 'IN CHRIST JESUS' (v.1). There is no place
safer place to be! In Noah's days, there was only one safe place to be - in the
ark! The judgment of God descended upon all those who were not in the ark. Today Jesus
Christ is our Ark of safety! Those who are positioned in Him are safe and
protected and are not in danger of God's judgment.
In Christ Jesus - all the wonderful things that Paul will tell us in Romans 8
they apply only to those who are in Christ Jesus. Every true believer is 'in
"Christ" (see Galatians 3:26-28: "baptized into Christ" by faith!).
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In Christ we have eternal life (Rom. 6:23)!

In Christ, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1)!
In Christ we are truly blessed (Ephesians 1:3)!

"For they do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." There is a question of knowing
if these words belong to the text inspired by the Scriptures. Those who study the
Greek manuscripts tell us that. See some Greek manuscripts contain these
words and other Greek manuscripts do not contain these words, for example, the
Therefore (then) now
there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [Also compare other
translations.] We should also note that these same words are found at the end
from verse 4 (where all Greek manuscripts are unanimous), and it is possible that a
escriba tenha tirado essas palavras do versículo 4 e as adicionado erroneamente. ao
verse 1.

The textual variation here in Romans 8:1 has some doctrinal significance. The issue -
The key question is this: our blessed state of 'no condemnation'
depends on our position 'in Christ Jesus' or also depends on the way we
do we walk and live the Christian life? Does it depend on Christ and His finished work or
does it also depend on our WALK (that is, WORKS)?

If our lack of condemnation depended on our walk, we would all be in

troubles! Who among us has a WALK so perfect that we could present it to God
And would God find no fault, no condemnation in her? Who among us
always walks according to the Spirit and never walks according to the flesh? Who among us would say that
Our walk is perfect and without sin (1 John 1:8-10)? Who among us would say otherwise?
we need a Lawyer with the Father, Christ Jesus, the Just, for those moments
in what way is our walk not what it should be? All thanks to our graceful and
merciful Savior that our justification and liberation from condemnation depends
only from our Lord Jesus Christ, His blood shed and His endless LIFE! If
if it depended on our journey, we all would dive into the lake of fire to
always.

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Compare with Romans 7:24. The question was 'Who will deliver me?' The answer in Romans
8:2 is this: "Christ has set us free!" The last part of chapter 7 of Romans was a description
of a believer struggling and failing. In chapter 8, Paul encourages the believer
a se concentrar em sua POSIÇÃOperfeita e infalível em Cristo Jesus!

Romans 8:2 mentions two laws. Illustration: the law of gravity and the law of aerodynamics.
the law of gravity says that a large and heavy metal object in the sky should fall and fall on the
earth (the airplane is going to crash!). But the law of aerodynamics is a superior law and overrides the law of
gravity allows the heavy metal airplane to fly and fly without falling. By the law of sin and
from death I fail, I fall and am destroyed (Romans 7:23-25), but by the law of the Spirit of life
In Christ Jesus, I am able to live a life that pleases God (Romans 8:2).

For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh.

There are certain things that the law cannot do. The law is just, but it cannot justify (Romans 7:12;
The law is holy, but it cannot sanctify (Rom 7:12). The law can tell me that I am a
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sinner, but it cannot make me a saint! (The mirror can show me my dirt,
but it cannot cleanse me!), what the law could not do, GOD DID! What the LAW could not do
do it, THE LAMB can!

Why was the law weak? The problem was not with the law, but with me! It was "weak through the flesh".
(compare Rom.7:14). In fact, the law is very powerful. The law is capable of GIVING LIFE if
a person KEEPS ALL THE COMMANDMENTS ALL THE TIME (Luke 10:25-28;
Mat. 19:16-17), but none of us has done this or could do this, so the law cannot give
life. It cannot bring blessing, only curse (Gal 3:10-11). But the weakness is ours and
not from the law.

Illustration: Think of a strong anchor. Can the anchor hold? YES! But if you
lower the anchor in the soft mud, it won't hold. "What the anchor couldn't do is
that was powerless in the mud." The problem is not with the holy law of God, but with
our sinful flesh!

Note how the gospel is presented in Romans 8:3. In essence, it is saying

that God sent His only and sinless Son (literally 'the own Son, of Himself')
even") to be condemned in our place and die for our sins. Why He
did he? So that we might live for righteousness (v.4 and compare 1 Peter 2:24).

Notice how carefully Paul states these things. If he had said this about a
a slightly different way would have resulted in heresy (false teaching about the person of
Christ). He did not say 'in the likeness OF flesh' because that would be saying that Christ
he was not really a man. Christ truly came in flesh and was a real man (1
John 4:2-3). Paul did not say "in sinful flesh" because that would have made Christ a
sinner! What is Paul saying?...sending His Son in the likeness of the flesh of
sinHe is declaring that Christ was truly a man, but not a
sinner man!

"For sin" - as a sacrifice for sin! Compare 2 Corinthians 5:21. The condemnation
refers to the judgment of God coming down upon a person. The judgment of God for
the sin descended upon my Sinless Substitute when He died on the cross so that
he shall not descend upon me (Romans 8:1).

Romans 8:4

"Justice" means "fair demands". The law has certain fair requirements. The law requires that
a person lives a just life of loving God (perfectly) and loving their neighbor
(perfectly). How can I fulfill what the law requires? The Person and the Power of the Spirit
Saints make this possible. Note carefully that the verse does not say 'fulfilling'.
we,” he says “they would fulfill in us”! This is something that God does IN ME by His power and
by Your Work and by Your Spirit! "according to the flesh" is what I do in and of myself
even (what I produce). "According to The Spirit" refers to what God does in me through
Person from the Holy Spirit who dwells in me. The law requires that I LOVE GOD and LOVE THE ...
MY NEXT (Matthew 22:36-40) These two commandments summarize not only the Ten
Commandments, but all the commandments of God.

A sinner cannot keep the holy law of God; it is impossible. Even a 'sinner
"Renewed" cannot do this. As we saw in Romans 7:14-25, the saved person wants to, but
I cannot: "I do not find how to do what is good (the observance of the law of God)" (Rom.
The key to fulfilling the law is LOVE (Rom. 13:8-10 and Gal. 5:14). The key to having
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LOVE is a walk filled with the Spirit (Galatians 5:13-23 and Romans 8:4). The Spirit of
God produces this LOVE in me (Galatians 5:22). I cannot, but He can!

We are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)! It is impossible for me, in my flesh, to keep the law of
God. It is impossible for God in me (when I allow Him to do His work) not
Keep the law! What the flesh could never do, God can do (compare verse 3).

Consider the following graph that shows the contrast between the person dominated by the flesh and
the person dominated by the Spirit. This chart addresses the first 14 verses of
Romans chapter 8:

Romanos 8:1-14

Contrast between the person dominated by the flesh

and the person dominated by God the Holy Spirit

TWO CATEGORIES
THE PERSON THE PERSON
DOMINATED BY THE FLESH DOMINATED BY THE SPIRIT
those who are according to the flesh the ones that are according to the Spirit
(v.5)

TWO KINGDOMS
IN THE MEAT IN THE SPIRIT

TWO SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS

He is not His (of God). He is His. (He is a Christian.)

TWO BIRTHS
Born of the flesh (John 3:6) Born of the Spirit (John 3:5-6)
We are in the flesh by birth We are in the Spirit for the new
natural.) birth, through regeneration.

TWO MENTAL SETS

He focuses on the things of the flesh. He focuses on things of the
(verses 5-7). Spirit (verse 5 and see Col. 3:1-2;
Mt 16:23

CURRENT CONDITION
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Death (verse 6) Life and Peace (verse 6)

(Not having a relationship with God) Life in a dead world
Cannot please God (verse 8) Peace in a troubled world

FUTURE CONDITION
Death (verse 13) Life of resurrection (verses 11, 13)
(See Galatians 5:19-21)

CURRENT POSSESSION

He does not have the Spirit (verse 9). He has the Spirit (verse 9).

RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LAW OF GOD

Without law (verse 7) The law is upheld in this person
He is a rebel against the law of God. controlled by the Spirit (verse 4).
and cannot submit to it.

RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

An enemy (verse 7 and compare) A son (verse 14)
with Rom. 5:10

GUIDANCE
No supernatural guidance Led by the Spirit (verse 14)
(verse 14)

THE OBLIGATION OF THE PERSON

He is obliged to live according to the flesh. He is obliged to mortify the works of

(verse 12). There is no other way body (verse 13). POSITIONALLY
that he may live. "What is born has already been done (Galatians 5:24), but
"that which is born of the flesh is flesh" (John 3:6). The person EXPERIENCING this needs to
What is 'in the flesh' must live in this being made by faith (Col. 3:5; Rom. 6:11)
kingdom. He is dominated by its view of Rom. 6:6; etc.). By faith
inherited sinful nature I must rely on what has already been done by
Adam. Christ.

OBSERVATIONS: There is only one way the unsaved person can live. They are 'in
flesh" and must live and walk "according to the flesh" (Romans 8:8 and compare verse 4). It does not have
choose not to satisfy the desires of the flesh. It is in total bondage to sin
interior. This walk according to the flesh is described in Ephesians 2:1-3 and Ephesians 4:17-19.
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The saved person is described as being "in the Spirit" (Romans 8:9) and is no longer in the kingdom of
flesh (Romans 8:9). It is inhabited by the Holy Spirit of God. Her life is dominated by the
Person and Presence of God, the Holy Spirit, and even when he is not walking.
correctly, the Spirit will make known His saddened presence (Ephesians 4:30).

The believer can manifest any of the works of the flesh at any time (Galatians 5:19-21),
but your life will not be dominated by the works of the flesh because "those who do (present tense -
'they continue doing'; those who persist in such things) will not inherit the kingdom of God' (Gal 5:21
And compare 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Ephesians 5:5.

Romanos 8:5-6

They incline/only think about that = fix your mind (see this verb used in Mat.16:23 and
Colossians 3:2). "After the flesh" - refers to those who are dominated by their natures.
sinful ones similar to Adam (see the graph above). Verse 6 should be translated "because
the inclination of the flesh is death, but the inclination of the Spirit is life and peace" (compare with Rom 6:21-
23).

Romanos 8:7

"For the inclination of the flesh (the desires of the flesh) is enmity against God." The flesh is
always against God. The flesh is an enemy of God. "Subject" = submissive. The flesh is not
submissive. Instead, it rebels against God. It revolts against God and against the law of
God. An illustration of this is found in Numbers 14:9-10, 27-29, 40-44 (If God is with us,
We will not go! If God is not with us, we will go! Whatever God says, we will do the opposite!). "It's not even
"capable" - the flesh cannot be submissive. It is impossible for the flesh to submit to God. The flesh
the sinful nature of man is not submissive.

There are five things that will never happen to meat:

1. The meat cannot be changed. The meat is rebellious and not

submission will never be transformed into submissive flesh and
obedient. God's method of dealing with the flesh is not to change
condemn her (Rom. 8:3) crucify her (Gal. 5:24; 2:20)
and compare with Rom.6:6).
The meat cannot be reformed. It cannot be corrected or
restored to purity. What is corrupt remains corrupt. That
what is desperately wicked remains desperately
perverse (Jeremiah 17:9).

3. The flesh can never be trained. The flesh is stubborn. It is

refuses to change its ways. It is immutable. You can never
teach the flesh how to please God. The flesh is incorrigible –
incapable of being corrected or amended. The flesh refuses to change
your ways. The works of the flesh always remain the same.
the same (see Galatians 5:19-21).
The meat cannot be improved. It always remains as.
["depraved","corrupt","perverse","sinner","evil","anti-God","rebellious"]
timid, proud, etc.
5. The flesh cannot be reconciled with God. It is always and
always opposed to God (see Galatians 5:17). It will never be at peace
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with God; instead, there is constant war. God can never be

position in harmony with what is in disagreement with His character
holy and just.

Every child of God can rejoice in this fact: "And those who are of Christ (those who belong to
Christ) crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Gal 5:24).

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Those who are IN THE FLESH (those who are not saved) CANNOT please God
(it is impossible for them to please God). Compare Hebrews 11:6 (those who are in the flesh are the
that do not have faith). For a commentary from the Old Testament on Romans 8:8, see Proverbs
15:8,9,26. The flesh can never please God. It is very, very difficult for most people.
accept the truth of this verse. It says that everything I did in my life (before coming to
Christ) was unacceptable to God and was not pleasing to Him. We may have considered many things.
as good, correct, and commendable, but God was not pleased. The only way to please Him
truly to God is "THROUGH JESUS CHRIST" (Heb. 13:21).

But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

"YOU" is emphatic ("YOU" in contrast to those who are in the flesh). You are not in the
meat! You can please God! Every saved person is 'IN THE SPIRIT' and every person is not
salvation is 'IN THE FLESH'. Every believer is 'spiritual' in the sense that they HAVE the Spirit (see Jude)
19). "To inhabit" = to make your dwelling within you. Your body is the house of the Spirit or dwelling or temple.
holy (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Paulo is saying here that YOU ARE IN THE SPIRIT IF THE SPIRIT IS IN YOU! If the
The spirit is not in you, so you are in the flesh (not saved). Condition of faith in Christ (John
7:37-39). There is no true believer who does not have the Holy Spirit. The true Christian does not
está mais "na carne" (no reino da carne) ... Ele não está na carne, mas a carne está nele (Rm 7:18)
Observe how the Holy Spirit is referred to: "Spirit" "Spirit of God" "Spirit of Christ".

Verse 9 says that the Spirit is in you.

Verse 10 says that Christ is in you (see also John 14:17,20).

But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Compare with Romans 8:1 - Christ is in me (v.10) and I am in Christ (v.1)! Romans 8:9
teach that I am in the Spirit and the Spirit is in me! Blessed relationships! If one
if a person is truly saved, then Jesus Christ is IN this person (see 2 Corinthians 13:5). Thus, the
what Paul will say in verse 10 applies to a true believer. If you are truly saved,
So this is true: the body is dead because of sin. In what sense is this?
dead? You are not physically dead yet. Paulo means "dead" in the sense of "mortal" (see
versículo 11) que significa sujeito à morte e decadência e doença por causa do pecado. O corpo do
the believer has not yet been redeemed (but will be in the future - Romans 8:23). The body of the believer has not yet been
revived or vivified, but it will be in the future (Romans 8:11).

"The spirit is life because of righteousness." This verse is a contrast between the believer's body and
the spirit of the believer. The spirit is not dead, it is LIFE. I have been made alive or spiritually revived
Ephesians 2:1,5). My spirit was made alive and revived at the moment I was justified.
the vivification of my spirit has already happened at the moment of salvation (Romans 8:10); the vivification of
my body will happen in the future, on the day of resurrection (Romans 8:11).
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And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

"He who raised Jesus from the dead" refers to God the Father. If the Spirit of God
dwells in you (and this is so if you are saved - Romans 8:9), then God (in the future) will bring to life
(will vivify) their mortal bodies. If the Almighty God could raise Jesus from the dead.
dead, then surely He can also take care of our bodies. This is a promise
wonderful future resurrection of the believers. The presence of the Spirit in you now is the guarantee
of your future resurrection (Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30).

Romans 8:12

Debtors
because now we live in the kingdom of the Spirit. We have no obligation to the flesh. Not
we owe nothing to the flesh! In fact, we have already given too much to the flesh! We have spent too much time in the flesh
(see 1 Peter 4:2-3) and we have sinned a lot in the flesh. Instead, I am a debtor to live from
agreement with the Spirit. This is my Christian duty.

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

"Live" = present tense (constantly, habitually). Death (separation from God) is the end.
of a life lived according to the flesh (Romans 6:21). "Mortify" = to kill (the same word is
found in Romans 8:36 "dead"). How are we going to do this? How does a believer mortify and kill
the works of the body?

The Biblical Doctrine of Mortification:

First, observe that we must mortify 'by the Spirit'. This is something that is done by the power of the
Spirit, not by our own power. There are two aspects of the believer's mortification that must be
considered:

1) POSITIONALLY it has been done! Galatians 5:24 says: "those who belong to Christ (those who belong
they crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts". Note
that this verse does not say to do this, but says that it has already been done. It does not say 'crucify the flesh', but
It says: "you have crucified the flesh (already)". When did this happen? Two thousand years ago (compare Galatians)
2:20)! When Christ died, I died! It was when my crucifixion took place.

2) EXPERIENTIALLY the believer needs to do it: "Mortify (mortify) your members that
they are on the earth" (Colossians 3:5). But the key question is this: HOW SHOULD THIS BE
DONE? Faith is the key! Faith affirms the fact that in Christ I have already died (see Colossians 3:3 -
because you died) and by faith I consider this fact true. The 'therefore' of
Colossians 3:5 points to the glorious truth of verse 3 that we have already died with Christ and
in Christ. Thus, we are instructed to do with faith (Col. 3:5) what God has already done in fact (Galatians.
Galatians 5:24 presents the fact and Colossians 3:5 appeals to faith (based on the
fact - Colossians 3:3). The more we consider our POSITION by faith, the more it becomes
true (by the power of the Spirit) in our current CONDITION. See Romans 6:

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

In verse 9, we learn that a true Christian is one who is inhabited by the Spirit.
Saint. In this verse, we have another mark of a true Christian. All those who are
led by the Spirit of God, are children of God. A true believer is guided by the Spirit. A
A person who lives according to the flesh (v.12) is certainly not led by the Spirit. See John 10:26-
27. What is the mark of a true sheep? A true sheep follows the true
Pastor. Christ leads and His sheep follow! So here in Romans 8:14 we learn that a
A true son is guided by the Spirit. The verb is in the present tense: we are constantly and
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continuously being guided by the Spirit. We are in the kingdom of the Spirit and can never leave.
of this kingdom. Remember, we are "in the Spirit" (Romans 8:9).

Romanos 8:15

The keyword in chapter 8 is "SPIRIT" (found 19 times in this chapter). At the moment in
that a person is truly saved, they receive the Spirit of God, here called
The spirit of adoption. The saved person does not enter into a legal relationship, but into a
LOVE RELATIONSHIP (compare Romans 7:4). The Aramaic word 'ABBA' is explained
for the next word "Father". It was a very familiar word for father, perhaps with a meaning
close to the English word 'DADDY'. We were surprised to find that same expression
used by the Lord Jesus himself in Mark 14:36. Believers have the same type of
intimate relationship with the Heavenly Father that Christ Himself had, for the praise of His
grace! No one can be closer and more beloved to the Heavenly Father than those who are 'in
Christ.

A palavra "adoção" é composta de duas partes: 1)filho2)colocação. Deus tomou o crente (que
was a child of wrath and disobedience - Ephesians 2:1-3) and placed him in the position of son, with all the
rights and privileges and benefits and blessings and inheritance that come from being a Son!

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

He himself" The Holy Spirit is a blessed Person, not an impersonal one." The Holy Spirit
testifies along with our human spirit that we are children of God. This small verse deals
of the very important doctrine of the GUARANTEE OF SALVATION. The Bible clearly teaches that one
A person can know and be sure (in this life) that he is a child of God. How can we
Know? This verse says that we know that we are children of God because the Holy Spirit testifies.
together with our spirit. Thus, there are two witnesses who tell me that I am a child of God. The
the first witness is my human spirit - that part of me that (now that I am saved) is
sensitive to God and sensitive to spiritual things. My spirit says: 'Yes, I am a son of
God. I am saved! I am justified! If He is not present in my life, then I do not have
basis for certainty (Romans 8:9). Also compare 1 John 4:13.

When a person is saved, they somehow have one. They know they belong to Christ and
Christ belongs to her. At the same time, the Spirit of God is giving His silent testimony.
confirming the same fact. See Galatians 4:1-6 for a parallel passage. In Romans 8:15 the
believer ("we") says: "ABBA FATHER". In Galatians 4:6 it is the Spirit that cries "ABBA FATHER". The Spirit
testifies along with our Spirit that we are children of God (see Deut. 19:15 where two
witnesses give their testimony). The human spirit says: "I am a child of God, ABBA FATHER!" The
Holy Spirit says: "Yes, he is a child of God, ABBA FATHER!" In the mouth of two witnesses IT IS
SURE!

The Holy Spirit has a very important ministry of CONVINCING MEN. One time, he...
convinced that I was a sinner. He now convinces me that I am a saint (saved, a
son of God). How does the Spirit do this? He convinces men using the Word of God. The
The Spirit used the Word of God to convince us of our sinfulness. The same Spirit
use the same word to convince us that we belong to God: 'these things are
written so that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13 and compare with verse 10 that
also speaks of an INTERNAL WITNESS). (Note: the Gospel of John was written so that the
men grow in Christ and the key word is BELIEVE - John 20:31; the book of 1 John was written
so that believers may have assurance, and the key word is KNOW - 1 John 5:13.

See 1 John 5:10 - the key is this: BELIEVE AND YOU WILL KNOW! (you will have the testimony within yourself).
according to Romans 8:15-16, if you believe, then the Spirit will testify with your spirit that you
he is a child of God. BELIEVE AND YOU WILL KNOW. Psalm 34:8 illustrates this. How to know if the Lord is
Good? PROVE AND SEE! Whoever tries will know! Compare 1 Peter 2:3. How can you know the
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How good is the dessert if you have never tasted it? How can you know bliss?
of a personal relationship with God if you never believed?

Romans 8:17

Not only are we children of God, but we are heirs. We have a rich inheritance! We are
spiritual billionaires (Ephesians 1:3). See also 1 Peter 1:3-4. The Holy Spirit entered into our
hearts 1) to tell us and assure us that we are children of God now (Romans 8:15-16); 2)
to ensure that we will receive our inheritance later (Eph. 1:13-14). Not only are we HEIRS
OF GOD, but we are CO-HEIRS with Christ. What belongs to Him belongs to us! What is
He is mine! I share in all the riches of Christ. How rich is Christ? See Hebrews 1:2 - the
heir of ALL THINGS and also see 1 Corinthians 3:21-23. That's what it's about.
ADOPTION. God has placed me in the position of a child with all rights, privileges, and benefits
the blessings and heritage that a child of God should have. With Christ I gladly receive ALL THE
THINGS (Rom. 8:32), even knowing that I deserve none of them!

We will share with Christ then, from His riches and from His glory, but also
we will participate in His sufferings: "if indeed we suffer with Him". The believer must wait.
PRESENT SUFFERING and FUTURE GLORY. When the Lord Jesus was in the world, He was
treated in a certain way and every believer shares in this. When the Lord Jesus returned to
Your father, he was treated in a certain way and we will share that too.

In the experience of Christ, there was SUFFERING FIRST and GLORY AFTER (Luke 24:26) and so
it will be for the believer.

Suffering first and glory later is actually the theme of the book of 1 Peter.
exemplo, veja 1 Pedro 1:5-6 que contrasta a glória da salvação futura com as dificuldades das
current trials. See 1 Peter 1:11 which talks about the sufferings of Christ that were followed by
for the GLORY. This is also seen in 1 Peter 3:18 (the suffering of Christ) and 3:22 (the glory of
Christ). Thus, believers will participate in the sufferings of Christ NOW and we will participate in
His glory AFTER (1 Peter 4:13). 1 Peter 5:1 echoes the same theme. Caring for the flock of God
it involves much suffering and difficulty present (1 Peter 5:2-3), but it will involve future glory (1
Finally, the theme of 1 Peter is summarized in 5:10. Note the present suffering that
it is only for a time (the present suffering in light of eternity is not very long) to be
followed by the future glory that is forever (1 Peter 5:10).

Present suffering is expected (see John 15:18-21; 16:1-3; 16:33; 17:14; 1 Thessalonians
3:3; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 John 3:13). Present suffering is a privilege given by God (Phil 1:29;
At 5:41.

There are some who teach that every believer is an 'heir of God', but not every believer is a 'co-
"heir" with Christ. They understand "co-heirs" as a special class of believers who
are victorious and persevere until the end, although this requires difficulties and suffering. This teaching
reflects a serious misunderstanding of this verse. Paul is not talking about a special class
of victorious believers who qualify as co-heirs of Christ and who will reign with Him in
kingdom, in contrast to worldly believers and non-sufferers who will be excluded from the millennial kingdom
and they will be punished in outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth for a thousand years. Although it is
It is true that some believers suffer more than others, it is also true that all believers
share in the sufferings of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:5; John 15:18-21; 16:33, etc.). Every believer is
co-heir with Christ, participating in His glory. All believers will reign with Christ in His
kingdom (Matthew 13:40-43).

The co-heirs of Christ they are

a special class of the elite of
 11

victorious and overcoming Christians?

William Newell says the following in his commentary on Romans 8:17:

If it is true that we suffer with Him, so that we may also with Him
let us be glorified --- Here two schools of interpretation are
they separate, one boldly saying that all saints are
designated, and that all will reign with Christ; the other, that will reign with
Christ depends on the voluntary choice of a path of suffering
with Him.

So that we may also be glorified together.

Our question: WHO should be glorified with Christ when He
four? In chapter five, Paul says (and to, and for, all the saints),
We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Thessalonians 1:10 reads: "When he comes to be glorified in the
your saints, and admired by all who believed." And again (Col.
When Christ our life is manifested, then you also
[evidently all the saints!] with Him will be manifested in
glory." Again (1 John 3:2): "Now we are [all the saints]
children of God... We know that if He manifests, we [all the
We will be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is!
(Romans, pages 316-317).

Zane Hodges is among those who teach that only a group

the elite of believers will reign with Christ, thus dividing the body of
Christ during the millennium and delivering unfaithful believers and non-believers.
sufferers to the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth
for a thousand years. Hodges teaches that all believers are "heirs of
God", but only the suffering, victorious believers and
winners are "co-heirs with Christ." But that is not what the text
Romans 8:16-17 really says. Romans 8:16 teaches that we are
children (tekna) of God (and this is certainly true for all)
believers - John 1:12). Romans 8:17 teaches that if we are children (and
We are! Heirs. As children of God, what kind of heirs
Are we? We are heirs in two ways: 1) We are heirs of
God; 2) We are co-heirs with Christ (see Heb. 1:2 where
we learned that Christ is the great Heir.

In his excellent Greek grammar beyond the basics, Daniel B. Wallace

Now, if we are children,
we are also heirs: on one hand, heirs of God, on the other,
heirs with Christ" (p. 129).

"If that's the case" (eiper) means "if it is so". It is used six times in the
New Testament. It is used by Paul in Romans in only one
another place, also in this same chapter: Romans 8:9 - "You,"
but you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of
God dwells in you.” Paul makes a statement that is true for
every believer ("you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit") and then he
 12

it continues with another statement that is true for every believer ("the
The Spirit of God dwells in you. Paul was saying something like this:
You are a true Christian (not in the flesh, but in the Spirit) and then
he continues with another statement that is true for every believer
(a true believer suffers with Christ - -John 15:18-21; 1 Peter 5:10;
Phil. 1:29; etc.). Paul was saying something like: "You are
true Christians (heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ)
because I am assuming that He is in you, and if He is in
you, then the world that hated him will hate you because you have
was so identified with Him (Colossians 1:24; John 16:33) Whole
a true believer, therefore, suffers with Him. That is to say, those
those who share His glory are those who share
Your sufferings now (see 1 Peter 5:10 where Peter does not give
no indication that he is talking about any elite group
of suffering believers in opposition to carnal believers, non-suffering;
for you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.

Another similar example of "if so" is found in 1 Peter.

2:2-3. Here we find a similar pattern. Peter gives an order.
to every baby saved in Christ: "Desire the pure milk of the word." He
follow this with another statement that is true for every believer:
you proved that the Lord is merciful. Peter was saying
something like this: "You are true Christians (true babies in
Christ) and they must desire the pure milk of the Word because I am supposing
that you have proven that the Lord is gracious (and every believer has proven it!)
If you have truly tasted the grace of the Lord, then you will desire
more and more and more!

When Christ was in the world, He was under constant attack from the
world and of the devil. Today Christ is in His believers who are in the
world, and He, in them, continues under constant attack. The result of this
is that we share in the sufferings of Christ. Paul, writing to
the Corinthians, sometimes very carnal, said to them: "For as how the
the sufferings of Christ abound in us" (2 Corinthians 1:5 and compare 2
Corinthians 4:16-18). In Romans 8:18, Paul speaks of the 'sufferings of
present time" and that a believer filled with the Spirit is exempt
diss?

Finally, Peter tells all the believers to wait for the 'test of fire'
e prova difícil, e se regozijem nela, “porquanto sois participantes dos
sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed,
you also rejoice with great joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13). There is no
not even a suggestion here that Pedro is driving these
words to some elite group of suffering believers in contrast
with other believers who are not willing to suffer for Christ. Peter
was talking about the sufferings that all believers
they share and participate in.

It is certainly true that some believers suffer more than

others. In the same way, some believers are more faithful in serving the
 13

Lord of what others. Some believers share the gospel of

more effectively than others. Some believers walk in the Spirit
more than others. No one would doubt that there are different levels.
of fidelity demonstrated by the children of God, and that many
they will suffer losses at the tribunal of Christ. And yet, we should not
to say that some believers are exempt from the sufferings of Christ
what we all participate in. Christ walked the path of
suffering, and we, who follow Him, must do the same. The
suffering is not optional for the child of God in this world that hates
and rejects Christ. God

Indeed, there is the condition of suffering with Him so that we may be glorified.
together; but He does well in everything that is His.... everyone suffers with Him, who has
the divine nature, even He Himself as your life, in an evil world, which
constantly wounds and tests those who have this nature.... This suffering
together flows from having life in Him while passing through a scene where everything opposes
So... Therefore, if this place of suffering in the world as it is now is a
necessary consequence of divine life surrounded by all that is shaping its
path of misery, distancing and rebellion against Him, is a huge privilege
suffering with Christ, encouraged along the way by the perspective of sharing
His glory." -William Kelly (Notes on the Epistle to the Romans, p.142-144).

This should not be taken in such close connection with the phrase 'co-heirs'.
point of making this position conditioned on our suffering with Him here. A
the word 'se assim for' indicates here that suffering with Christ is a characteristic
of believers in general. True Christianity is, in one way or another, a
amount of suffering in this world. What is in view here is not the
future reward to be given for the perseverance of suffering in this life, but the
eternal portion of those who are in Christ, distinct from those who walk according to
the flesh does not belong to Him. " --WE Vine is your commentary on Romans.

Just as the writer of Hebrews teaches that those who are without
punishment are bastards (illegitimate children) and not sons (Hebrews 12:8),
also Peter (1 Peter 4:12-13) and Paul (Romans 8:16-18; 2 Cor.
1:5; Phil. 1:29) would say something similar regarding suffering: But
if you are without suffering, of which all are participants (1 Peter
4:13; 2 Cor. 1:5), then you are bastards and not sons. But
rejoice that you are children and heirs of God and co-
heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17)! You share in His
Cruze, you will share in His crown.

Romans 8:18 - SEEING OUR PRESENT SUFFERINGS IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY

Paulo is here talking about the present suffering that believers experience in their journey.
In time, he contrasts this with the glory that believers will experience in the future, when
if we are with the Lord. "Calculate. On the other side of the scale, you have a huge piece of gold
weighing ten tons that represents the future glory. There is no comparison! In 2 Corinthians 4:17
we have the same truth presented. The current sufferings and afflictions are very 'light' and
temporary. The glory is extremely HEAVY and ETERNAL. It is clear that, when we go through
personally through times of suffering and trials, they seem very, very heavy to us and
very, very long (as if they never end). But that is from our point of view very
limited. From the perspective of eternity, the trials and sufferings we endure in this life
they are very light.
 14

Did Paul know what suffering was about? In Romans 8:18 and in 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul is
telling us that your present sufferings are very "light" when compared to your glory
future. We were surprised when we read about the sufferings that Paul actually experienced
In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 (and compare Acts 9:16). In fact, most of us would have to say this:
My sufferings are not worthy of being compared to those of the Apostle Paul! But Paul
knew that even your sufferings were not worthy of being compared with the future glory that
he would be like a co-heir with Christ.

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

This verse and the following verses are talking about God's creation, both animate
(animals, plants) as well as inanimate (rocks, hills, etc.). We could use the term 'nature'. A
nature is here personified in an interesting way. Nature, or the creature is
eagerly waiting for something, eagerly waiting for something. The animals and the birds,
the rocks and the rivers - everyone is saying: 'I can hardly wait for this to happen!' The creation of
God is under the terrible curse and slavery of sin. There is an abundance of evidence that we live
in a chaotic world cursed by sin (animals attacking animals, animals eating
animals, violent storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, etc.). It hasn't always been like this. Before
since the fall of man, God's creation was in peaceful harmony (Genesis 1-2). In the future,
this harmony will be restored again (see Isaiah 11:6-9). Creation will be liberated from the
curse and this will happen in the 'manifestation (revelation, unveiling) of the children of God'. When the
Lord Jesus Christ was revealed in His second coming (2 Thessalonians 1:7) it is then that the
"children of God" will be revealed with Him (see Rev. 19:14 and compare Rev. 19:7-8).

For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope.

Vanity = emptiness, frustration, disappointment. Creation (nature) became subject to vanity after the
the fall of man into sin when God cursed the earth. The entire universe felt the effects
of the sin of Adam.

"Not voluntarily" - the natural world did not choose to be under this curse. The animals
they did not hold a convention and everyone decided that they would voluntarily place themselves under a
divine curse. It was Adam who made the choice and God who brought the curse. "He" refers to
God who pronounced the curse and subjected the earth. It does not refer to Adam. But even if all the
nature has been brought to this state of vanity, there is hope! The future brings a promise.
of hope. The curse will not last forever.

Romanos 8:21

Here is the promise of hope! Nature will be delivered and freed. Slavery =
slavery. Today nature is trapped in a state of corruption - it is subject to decay,
disease, death, destruction (compare to the second law of thermodynamics that science can observe,
but only the Bible can explain). It is interesting that the condition and state of man is
reflect on nature. When man is under the curse, nature reflects that. When the
redeemed men will finally be freed, nature will reflect this.

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
 15

All creation = all nature. "Groans" = emits a deep groan indicative of pain and
suffering. Once again, nature is personified. Here it is portrayed as a mother passing
through the pains of childbirth. A mother in labor has hope. She knows that there will be a
birth and suffering will not last forever. After sadness and pain comes joy
of a new existence. Thus, the world of nature also has the promise of freedom and a
new existence to be fulfilled in the millennium kingdom of Christ and, finally, in the new heavens and new
earth.

Romans 8:23

God's creation (nature) is not the only one that groans. The believers are also groaning. We
we are also eagerly awaiting a future event. This event is called 'the
"adoption" and here refers to future adoption when our affiliation will be fully realized.
"adoption" is here described as "the redemption of our body." This is the final and future redemption that
it will be fulfilled when Christ comes for His church. There is a present aspect of redemption observed
in verses like Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Peter 1:18-19, but also
there is a future aspect of redemption (when our salvation will be completed) as
established in Ephesians 1:14 and 4:30 and also here in Romans 8:23. In the same way, there is a
the aspect of adoption that is true for believers now (Rom. 8:15) and there is also an aspect
future adoption that awaits future fulfillment (Romans 8:23). The 'firstfruits' is the pledge or
guarantee that our salvation will be completed, and here the 'firstfruits' are nothing more than the
Person and Presence of God the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. What does firstfruits mean? tomatoes
from your garden, this is an indication that many more are to come. Many more tomatoes will
will follow. Many other blessings of the garden will be enjoyed. At the moment when a person
trust in Christ, she receives the Holy Spirit, which is the ERNEST (advance, guarantee - Eph 1:13-
14) that there is much more to come (a new body, an eternal inheritance, a home in heaven, glorification
future – v.18, etc.).

Romans 8:24-25

For we were saved in hope" (translation by William Kelly). When we were saved, we were not
saved in the final and complete sense of that word. We are still in these unredeemed bodies,
we still fight against sin and temptation and we groan and eagerly await the day when
we will be freed even from the presence of sin. The saved person has that expectation
confident (hope) that your salvation will one day be completed (see Philippians 1:6 - God will)
to complete and finish what He started). When the farmer harvests his first fruits, this does not
it means that he finished harvesting the entire crop. No, he is just starting, but he has the
hope is the promise that someday the whole harvest will come. But he must wait for it!

The word hope, as used most frequently in the New Testament, does not carry with it the
idea of doubt or uncertainty (as the English word commonly does in everyday use). Instead,
It speaks of a CERTAIN EXPECTATION and can be translated that way. Hope is something in
a future that has not yet been realized or received, but is absolutely certain because God it
promise. An example of this would be the hope of the coming of the Lord (compare Titus 2:13 - 'the blessed
"hope" or HAPPY EXPECTATION). The only uncertain thing about this is TIME (we don't know
when), but the fact is certain because we have the promise of the Lord (John 14:3; etc.). It is a
future hope that has not yet been fulfilled and we are waiting anxiously and hoping that
He will come. For it is certain that God's promise will be fulfilled, we can wait patiently.
for your fulfillment. Just as the future mother can patiently endure the pains and sadness
of childbirth because the hope of a birth is your expectation, so the believer can endure
patiently endure the difficult trials of life knowing that our future is as bright as the
God's promises (compare 1 Thessalonians 1:3 - 'patience of hope').

Resumo e gráfico de Romanos 8:19-25

 16

Creation (all of nature) eagerly awaits the revelation of the children of God (v.19). The children
They eagerly await the redemption of the body (v.23). Both events are
related to the second coming of Christ. If the second coming of Christ is seen as an event
In general, these two aspects can be viewed together. The following distinctions can be made:

Note: The rapture is a revelation (1 Cor. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7; 1:13; 4:13), but they are not the children
(believers) being revealed to the world, but rather Christ in all His glory being revealed to the
children.

Romans 8:26-27

Observe the moans in this chapter:

Verse 22 - every a creation community

Verse 23 - all os believers gemem
Verse 26 - God, the Holy Spirit, groans.

"Illnesses" = weaknesses, being without strength (pointing to our fragility and

"He himself" = must be translated "He himself" (the Holy Spirit is a Person, the
blessed Third Person of the Trinity). The strong believer is the one who recognizes how weak he is.
it really is (2 Corinthians 12:10). Even in prayer (which is coming to God the Father in complete
dependency) we need to know our weakness (we don't know how to pray and we don't know what
to pray). But in the midst of our weakness we have a great HELPER, indeed, God the Spirit
Saint (compare the word "Comforter", which means One called alongside to help, a
Helper). The Holy Spirit is our Helper in prayer. "What a friend we have in Jesus!" What a friend
We have in the Holy Spirit!

Illustration of the History of the Church: Saint Augustine was a very wicked man in his youth,
but later he converted. His devout mother, Monica, had a heavy burden for her son. She
I knew he was leaving home and going to Italy, so she prayed that God would not let him
She let him go there because she feared that he would only fall into deeper sin each time. She did not
she knew how to pray as she should. God did not answer her prayer the way she wanted. God allowed that
Augustine went to Italy and it was there that he gloriously converted. God did not answer the
your special request for you to answer your true request of the heart, salvation
of your son.

God, the Holy Spirit, takes our weak, fragile, and flawed prayer requests and brings them
before God the Father, translating them into what is acceptable to God and in harmony with His will
God. There is an incredible communication between God the Holy Spirit and God the Father that is told to us here, but
 17

how little we understand (yet, how grateful we must be for it!) We do not know
how to pray... then He prays for us! HE KNOWS HOW TO PRAY!

The intercession of the Holy Spirit is a little recognized and little acknowledged work of God.
appreciated. Note that in this same chapter there is mention of the intercession of the Son of God
(v.34). The Spirit intercedes for the saints (v.27) and Christ also (v.34). Both pray and plead in
our favor, but in different ways. Both plead with God the Father for us! Both the
ministries are essential

The "inexpressible groanings (inexpressible groanings)" is a reference to that communication

blessed among God the Spirit and God the Father. This is not a reference to the gift of tongues (the gift
of tongues is mentioned in only one of Paul's epistles, 1 Corinthians, and even there it is
discussed because it was a problem). The reasons why this does not refer to the gift of tongues are
the following:

It is o Spirit what game no o believer.

2. If you were to describe languages in terms of moans, you would have to say that the gift of
languages consist of moans that can be uttered (compare the expression
"Ecstatic declaration" that is often used to describe the phenomenon
modern charismatic). Here we have groans that cannot be uttered by any
language humana.

3. The gift of tongues was something that could be heard (although not understood) by the
men. These groans are heard only by God the Father.

4. The gift of tongues was a gift of grace (Greek term 'charisma') given only to some.
believers, not all (1 Corinthians 12:29-30). In contrast to this, the intercessory ministry
The Spirit is for all saints.

See our detailed study titled The Gift of Tongues of God.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Notice the encouraging contrast: Verse 26 - 'we do not know'; Verse 27 - 'we'
we know.
We are confident that He will work all things for His glory and for the good of His
children. Verse 28 is one of the most comforting verses in the Bible for the person who loves the
God (the true believer). The comforting truth of this verse is based especially on
an attribute of God - HIS SOVEREIGNTY. If all things work together for good (all the
events, all circumstances, all trials, all occurrences, etc.), it follows that
God must have finished and must control all things. This is not fatalism and determinism.
fearful. This is the wonderful fact that an ALL-WISE, ALL-LOVE, JUST GOD is
In complete control of all things!

The sovereign work of God is declared in Ephesians 1:11 and implicit in Ephesians 5:20 (we can give
thanks for all things, not because all things are good, but because our trust
It is in a sovereign God who works all things for His glory and our good). Romans
8:28 is a declaration of fact that we need to KNOW and tell, but this wonderful truth
it cannot be claimed by everyone. It is only for "those who love God" that it is a description
of those who are true believers (see 1 Corinthians 2:9; 8:3). We love Him because He
We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Paul is not talking here about a special class of believers that
they love God in contrast with other believers who do not love God. Although it is certainly
It is true that some believers love the Savior more than others, and they demonstrate this by their faithfulness.
obedience to His Word, but it is also true that there is a sense in which all believers
I love Christ. The love for Christ is demonstrated by obedience to His Word (John 14:21-24), and
 18

those who refuse to keep His commandments are liars if they claim to know the
Christ (1 John 2:3-5 and compare John 17:3). As children of God, our lives should be
characterized by obedience (1 Peter 1:14). We obey because we love our Father
Celestial. How can we do less?

Those who do not love Him are not saved and are under God's curse (1 Corinthians 16:22). If
a person says: 'I do not love Christ, not at all', so how could such a person
claim to be a believer in Him? On the other hand, there are those who claim to love God, but by their
actions prove that they really do not love Him (1 John 4:20). In Romans 8:28, Paul is not
speaking of a special group of Christians who love God in contrast to other people
those who do not love God. Those who love God (v.28) are identified as the called.
(v.28), and those who are CALLED are identified as those who were foreknown,
predestined, justified and glorified (verses 29-30). These are facts that are true
for each believer. That there must be some believers who were not pre-known, predestined,
calls,

The verse does not say that 'all things are good,' but 'all things work together for the good.'
There are many ingredients to make a cake, and many of them, if
taken alone, are not tasteful (not everyone likes to eat raw eggs, flour or
fat etc.), but if you put all the ingredients together, they all work.
together to make a cake of great flavor (the final product). So, God takes the bitter and the sweet,
the difficult and the easy, the bad and the good, and they all work together for good.

The truth of Romans 8:28 is so important that God set aside nine chapters in the book of Genesis.
(Joseph's story) to illustrate it. Some very terrible and bad things happened to Joseph - his
his brothers hated him, tried to kill him, sold him as a slave, etc. (Genesis 37) and later
Joseph was falsely accused by an evil woman and thrown into prison (Genesis 39). But God had
a plan and purpose for Joseph, a man who loved God. Joseph's father did not understand the
truth of Romans 8:28 (see Genesis 42:36 - 'all these things are against me'), but Joseph
understood (see Genesis 50:20 and also see Genesis 45:5,7 "God sent me"). The things
the terrible things that happened to Joseph were really used by God to be the means by which
he would save the children of Israel from hunger and death.

Perhaps the greatest illustration of Romans 8:28 can be found in the life of Christ Himself. Many
terrible and evil things were done to the innocent and sinless Son of God. He was denied, betrayed,
falsely accused, unfairly judged, considered guilty although innocent, whipped,
beaten, mocked, spit on and finally CRUCIFIED. Could any good come from this? Of
Fact, THE GREATEST GOOD OF ALL, yes, the salvation of man! The crucifixion of Christ worked in
set for the temporary salvation of all men (1 Timothy 4:10 - His death provided
salvation for all) and salvation for all those who trust in Him and Him alone for the
salvation of their souls (1 Timothy 4:10 - "especially those who believe"). Yes, even in the act
the most sinful act ever committed by men, God had a purpose and a plan that He was
doing. This is seen in the following passages: Acts 2:23; 3:13-18; 4:26-28 and compare Luke
22:22 (in these verses notice the delicate balance between man's responsibility and the
God's sovereignty - men committed their wicked deeds and were fully responsible for them.
what they did, but God used what they did for His plan for the salvation of
men!). Behold the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man.

For those who are called according to His purpose - God has a purpose, plan and
design for those who are true believers (and the next two verses explain what it is)
this purpose). God's purpose will not fail. God has a design for each believer and that
the design will be executed according to God's unfailing plan. God's purpose never
It will fail (see Romans 9:11; Isaiah 14:27; 46:10-11). God's plan will never be frustrated!

Romans 8:29-30 -- God's plan for every true believer!

 19

Observe the series here: 1) foreknowledge 2) predestination 3) calling 4) justification 5) glorification. It is

It's useful to think of a chain containing five very strong links. We could call this a CHAIN.
OF GOD'S SALVATION, beginning with foreknowledge and ending with glorification. This
the chain extends from the past eternity to the future eternity. No link of this chain can be
broken (as we will see). The believer is eternally secure!

Notice in these verses that the emphasis is on the work of God - 'He knew beforehand, ... He'
predestined, etc." It is all the work of God, not of man. God knew the believer, God the
predestined, God called him, God justified him, and God glorified him! This is what God did!
salvation is from the Lord (compare with Jonah 2:9). Salvation begins and ends with God. God
receives all the credit and all the glory for our salvation (1 Corinthians 1:29,31). Man cannot
it is grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) and say: "Look what I did!" No, salvation is "FROM GOD" (1 Corinthians
1:30; John 1:13). We do not thank ourselves, but we say: 'THANK YOULORD FOR
SAVE MY SOUL! God does all the salvation. This does not take away man's responsibility. The
man must believe (John 3:16-18; Acts 16:31) and man is guilty for not doing so (2 Thess. 2:10-
12; John 5:40; compare with Matthew 23:37), but God and only God must do the salvation.
God does everything according to His wonderful grace and His sovereign purpose (see 2 Timothy 1:9)
and compare 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Ephesians 1:3-14.

Now let's take a look at the different links in God's salvation chain:

CHAIN LINK #1-- "WHOM HE KNEW PREVIOUSLY"

The pronoun 'WHO' refers to the same group mentioned in verse 28 - 'those who love the'
God, who calls according to his purpose." He is referring to the true
believers. It is this group that God knew in advance. The phrase 'knew in advance' means
simply "to know in advance". In the past eternity, before the world existed, God
He knew His true believers (compare 2 Timothy 2:19 - "The Lord knows those who are
Yours

Carefully observe what the verse says and what the verse does not say. It says 'TO WHOM He'
"knew beforehand"; it does not say "THE WHO", but this verse teaches that God knew
in advance those who are called according to His purpose (which excludes all those who
they persist in their unbelief and are therefore never saved). What does this mean?

Other passages of the Bible shed light on the foreknowledge of God. Consider Amos 3:2 - "You
(os filhos de Israel-v.1) somente eu conheço de todas as famílias da terra." O que isto
What does it mean? Certainly, God knew everything about the Egyptians and the other nations as well. It must
to mean more than just knowing about them. God knew everything about each nation and each person.
on earth. But God entered into a special relationship with Israel that was not true for the
other nations: "The Lord your God has chosen you to be a special people for Himself, above
of all the peoples that are on the face of the earth. The Lord... places His love upon you
(Deuteronomy 7:6-7)
 20

Matthew 7:23 is also instructive. The Lord Jesus will say to some: 'I never knew you!' As God,
He knew everything about them, but what He is saying is the following: "I have never had a
personal relationship with you. You never belonged to Me. You are not Mine!
known by God" (see 1 Corinthians 8:3) means that you have a personal relationship with
He, you really belong to Him and you are His! Compare John 10:14 - 'I know my sheep'
sheep!" It is a wonderful thing to be "known by God," loved by God (John 13:1) and
"chosen in him before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4).

Before I knew God (John 17:3), HE KNEW ME (compare Matthew)

25:34). We must never forget that God is THE GREAT INITIATOR when it comes to
salvation. I love Him because He loved me first (1 John 4:19). I sought Him because He me
He sought first (Luke 19:10). I chose Him because He chose me first (John 15:16). I came
to Him because He first attracted me (John 6:44,65). I saw and understood why He first gave me the
vision (Matthew 16:16-17; Acts 16:14). As the hymn says,

Before I loved Him, He loved me

Before I found Him, He found me
Before I sought Him, He was seeking me.
Yes, Jesus takes care of me

-- Ron Hamilton
Yes, long before the creation of the universe, I EXISTED! I existed in the mind, purpose, and plan of
God. He knew me! Compare Jeremiah 1:5.

HE ALSO PREDESTINED

God not only foreknew the true believer, but also predestined him to be
confirming to the image of His Son! (Romans 8:29). The word 'predestination' scares many
people. In fact, it is a wonderful doctrine that should bring a lot of comfort, encouragement and
gratitude to every believing heart. The word is composed of two words: PRO=before; HORIZON=
limit or boundary (from which we obtain the English word 'HORIZON', which is God's boundary between the earth
and the sky). Therefore, to predestine means 'to mark in advance the limits or boundaries; to predetermine
the limits of something." When used for a person, as in this verse, it means "predetermine
the destiny or the future of that person." Thus, predestination simply means that GOD
HE MARKED A GLORIOUS FUTURE FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM, that is, to be conformed to
image of Your Son! (being like Christ).

Illustration of a groundhog: In the summer of 1978, a groundhog entered a pipe.

drainage near the church building. We placed a stone in front of the opening of the pipe so that
she got trapped. We wanted to catch the groundhog, so we had a plan! We wanted that the
a marmot would end up in a box so we could carry it away from the property of
church is far from children. So, we set up a cardboard tube, connected to the opening of
drainage pipe and we connected the other end to the cardboard box. The limits were all
marked. We had a future marked for that marmot and all we had to do was wait. He
it was destined to be thrown in the cardboard box, and that's what happened and everything worked
for his own good, although the groundhog didn't think so at the time (better to be taken to a
new house of what shot like an unwanted worm!). God has a plan and purpose for
those who belong to Him and our future is already mapped out and predetermined in advance. It is a good
future! It is a glorious future!

USE OF THE WORD 'PREDESTINATION'

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1. Acts 4:28--"determined beforehand" (see the previous verses in the context of Acts)
What these men did turned out to be exactly what God had planned,
proposed and predetermined! Little did they know that when they were crucifying Christ
they were fulfilling God's eternal purpose. Compare Acts 2:23 (the word 'determine')
is the word for predestination only without the prefix that means 'before'). Man is
guilty and responsible for his wicked deeds, but God's purpose is
fulfilled. Compare Luke 22:22 - "determined" - it had already been marked and determined.
God's plan was that His Son should go to the cross and be delivered into the hands of men.
fishermen, BUT JUDAS WAS TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS EVIL WORK!
Woe to God is upon him! In Acts 4:27-28 we see that the action taken by the enemies
of Christ fell within the limits and boundaries of God's perfect plan centered on the crucifixion
of Christ. In the past eternity, God determined that Jesus Christ would die on the cross to
the salvation of sinful men and this plan was fulfilled to the letter. God used the
acts malignant of men fishermen for fulfill Your purpose.

2 Corinthians 2:7 - before the world (ages) God determined the wisdom of God for ou
glory. The 'wisdom of God' as defined in this context refers to CHRIST
CRUCIFIED (see 1 Cor. 1:23-24; 2:2; 2:8). Thus, we can substitute this meaning:
Before the centuries, God appointed Christ crucified for our glory.
God, in His infinite wisdom, determined that Christ would be crucified resulting
in the glory of the believer. Therefore, 1) God's eternal plan is in accordance with His
wisdom; 2) God's eternal plan centers on the crucified work of His Son; 3) The plan
God's eternal is unchangeable - it was determined in the past eternity ('before the
tempos"), 4) God's eternal plan involves the glorification of believers ("for our
glory). Compare Romans 8:30 – a they also glorified.

Ephesians 1:4-5. God marked a glorious future for the believer. Our glorious future is
described by the word 'ADOPTION' (we studied this in Romans 8:23). The believers will have
all rights and privileges and benefits and blessings and inheritance that come from being
placed how children of God!) Compare Ephesians 1:11-12.

[Link] 8:29--our future destiny is guaranteed: "to be conformed to the image of His
Son. The PROCESS is happening every day (2 Corinthians 3:18), but the full realization
Therefore, we await future fulfillment (1 John 3:1-4). WE WILL BE LIKE HIM! That is the goal.
of Christian life. Predestination is the guarantee that this goal will be achieved! God will
take me to where I need to be! "Then we will be where we would be, then we will be the
what we should be; things that are not now, nor could they be, will soon be
ours.
perfectly Adam (in his fallen and sinful state), one day we will reflect perfectly
to Christ!

Note: The word 'predestination' is never used in the Bible in the following ways: 1) God
God predestined certain people to believe in Christ; 2) God predestined certain people for
inferno.

In Romans 8:29 the word "firstborn" refers to Christ and means "the highest in position or
position." Christ is the Supreme Son, the Preeminent (compare John 3:16 - "the only begotten" or the UNIQUE,
unique, SON). Christ remains as Head and Chief among and over that countless multitude
that through him are made children of God. Christ is THE SON, but He will bring 'many sons to the
glory" (Hb 2:10).

CHAIN LINK #3--'HE ALSO CALLED'

The next link in the chain of God's eternal purpose: CALLING! We saw this in verse 28 - 'the
called according to their purpose." Who are the CALLED? Not all men, because
in verse 28 they are those who "love God" (true believers, those who belong
 22

to God, those who were known beforehand, etc.). Of course, there is a general sense in which
ALL MEN are called to salvation and all men are invited to come to
Christ. This universal and general call or invitation to salvation is seen in passages like
Romans 10:9-13; Matthew 11:28; John 3:16; John 7:37-38; Rev. 22:17; etc. But there is a meaning
especially in that God only calls those who truly respond to the general call of
gospel (those who come to Christ and truly belong to Him). Thus, in a
"the called" refers to the chosen ones of God in 1 Corinthians 1:24-27.
those who are truly saved. Not many are called (1 Corinthians 1:26), but a few
are. See 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 1:15; 2:9; 5:10; 2 Pet. 1:3; 1:10; Rev. 17:14
called, chosen, and faithful. Note that all these verses are talking about the
true believers, not all men in general. God has called us to HIMSELF (1
Corinthians 1:9) so that we may belong to Him. As the author of the hymn said, 'He called me
long before I heard, before my sinful heart was touched, But when I
"I accepted His word, forgiven He lifted me up!" (Carlos Gabriel).

4) CHAIN LINK #4-- "HE ALSO JUSTIFIED"

God declared me righteous in His righteous Son. We studied the doctrine of justification in detail.
previously in the book of Romans (see Romans 3:24-5:1). Also see Acts 13:39.

5) CHAIN LINK #5--"THEY ALSO HE GLORIFIED."

The glorification of the believer is a future event. It has not happened yet (see the discussion in Romans
8:17-18). We are not in heaven yet! Our salvation is not yet complete! We are not yet
"AS CHRIST" how we will be. We do not yet have our new glorified bodies. Not yet.
we are without sin! But in this verse God says: YES YOU ARE! I GLORIFIED YOU! IS
DONE! The time passed is used! From the believer's point of view, this has not yet happened. But in the
mind and purpose of God, it is already done! It has already happened! This glorification is a future event so
Of course, it is written in the past as if it has already happened. It is an agreement made, although,
from our point of view, it has not happened yet.

Let's review and reaffirm these five links in the chain:

[Link]- Before the world existed, God

knew me and God knew that I would belong to Him. This
involves a special and loving relationship.
[Link] - In the past eternity, God marked
a wonderful future for me, so that I could be like You
Son.
[Link]- God brought me to Himself in a way
wonderful, from my darkness, to Your wonderful light.
4. JUSTIFICATION - God declared me perfectly righteous in
Your righteous Son, based on the work of the cross of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
5. GLORIFICATION - God will complete my salvation and in
God's mind and plan, it is done!

We must note that these five things are true for every believer. You cannot have
just one of these five things. It is impossible for a person to be known in advance, but
 23

not justified. It is impossible for a person to be justified and not glorified (therefore, it is impossible
a person loses their salvation!) It is impossible for a person to be called and not justified: "the
"whoever called, those also justified." Only three of the five can be true for a
person? No, they all must be true. It's all or nothing! A person is saved or not,
This saves, so all five of these things are true. We should also note that
NONE OF THESE THINGS are true for those who never become believers. Judas
never known beforehand, predestined, called, justified or glorified.

Could someone say: "But how can I know if I was known beforehand or
whether I was predestined or called? How can I know for sure that
Are these things true for me? Part of this chain of salvation?
Key is the fourth link in the chain: the justification. Can a person know if
Was it justified? Absolutely. The Bible makes it clear that every person who
believing in the Lord Jesus Christ was justified (declared righteous in Christ). See
Romans 3:22-26; 3:30; 4:1-5; 4:24-25; 5:1. Every believer is saved (Acts 16:31) and
Every saved person is justified (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). There is no true
a believer in Christ who is not justified. And if one link in the chain is true
for me (justification), then the other four links must also be
true (known beforehand, predestined, called, glorified)
because the current is a unit and cannot be broken. The believer who
rest in the completed work of Christ never needs to lose sleep to
to know if it is included in God's eternal plan and purpose! It is resolved
forever! Let all those who love the salvation of God say
The Lord be magnified!

Note: We must be careful with a popular evangelical leaflet that starts: "God loves you and has
a wonderful plan for your life." What God has for those who reject His Son is not
wonderful (see John 3:18; 3:36; 2 Thess. 1:8-9 etc.). God's wonderful plan is for those
For those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose (Romans

Once a person gives good evidence of saving faith, then we can encourage them.
to claim the wonderful truths found in Romans 8:28-30, but we must never
carelessly apply such passages to those who may not be saved. In fact, all the
the great truths of chapter 8 of Romans are only for those who are truly
IN CHRIST (Romans 8:1). On the other hand, we must never forget that God desires for everyone
men may be saved and come to the full knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 3:3-4).

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

What then shall we say to these things? If God did all this (Rom 8:28-30), then what
Can I say? Let's start by saying simply and incessantly: 'THANK YOU, LORD!' If
God is for us (on our side), who will be against us? The obvious answer: NO ONE! Many
people may be against us and believers may have many enemies, but if God is for us,
It doesn't matter who is against us! It's God and me against anyone! God with the believer is the majority.
Anytime, anywhere! See Psalm 118:6 and Hebrews 13:6. The following verses
shows how God is FOR US. In verse 32 we see how He died FOR US and in the
Verse 34 shows how He lives FOR US!

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

We are reminded of the account in Genesis 22, when Abraham spared his son at the last moment.
moment. In contrast to this, God did not spare His beloved Son. The story is told of a
a man who worked on a drawbridge. The bridge would be designed so that ships
could pass underneath and the bridge would be placed back in position so that the trains could
 24

cross the river safely. One day, just before a train arrived, the man noticed that
your son was playing with the huge gears and his clothes got caught in them
gears. The man must make a choice quickly: 1) I can save my son, what
it means that dozens of people will dive to their deaths when the train falls into the river below; or
I can save the train, which means my son will be attacked, crushed, and killed in the
huge gears. For the love of the people on the train, the man decided to sacrifice his son to whom
I loved a lot. This is just a human illustration, but perhaps in a very small way we...
help to appreciate what God has done for us by 'not sparing His Son'.

Who was really responsible for putting Christ on the cross? Notice the word "delivered" in
Romans 8:32. This word means 'delivered, handed over'. Sometimes it is translated as 'betrayed'.
(delivered). Note the following uses of this word:

In Matthew 20:18, Judas delivers Christ to the Jewish leaders.

In Matthew 20:19, the Jewish leaders hand Christ over to the Romans.
In Matthew 27:2, the Jewish leaders hand Christ over to Pilate, the governor.
In Matthew 27:3 Judas delivers Christ to the Jewish leaders (same idea as
Matthew 20:18

Who then was responsible for putting Christ on the cross? Judas betrayed him. The Jewish leaders did.
They condemned Him and handed Him over to the Romans. Pilate handed Him over to the Roman soldiers.
Romans They preached on the cross. EVERYONE HAD A PART, but in the end and finally it was the
IT WAS GOD who 'DELIVERED HIM FOR US ALL' (Romans)
8:32). It was God who "GAVE HIS ONLY SON" (John 3:16) to die on the cross. "It pleased
to the Lord to strike him" (Isaiah 53:10). IT WAS FOR US! It was for our sins that He suffered, shed
And he died! He "was delivered for our offenses" (Romans 4:25). Each one of us was responsible.
for the death of Christ because He died in our place as our Substitute. He received the
the salary we earn (Romans 6:23) He died the death that we owed!

The argument of verse 32 should touch the heart of every believer: If God delivered His
Son for us, will he not also freely give us all things with him? If God has given us the
the most expensive gift of all, Will He not give us less expensive gifts? He who gave the gift
the greater certainly will not withhold the lesser gifts. If God has given us His most precious good, He
Will he not give us the smaller things we need? If a father spends hundreds of dollars
building a complete basketball court in the backyard for your son, he also won't give a
basketball for your son? God gave us His best! God gave us His Son! If we have
Christ, we have everything we need (Heb 13:5).

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

Who will accuse God's elect? The elect of God are those described in Romans 8:29-
30. They are God's chosen ones, those who have been called according to His purpose.
God in Christ. God justified you! You were judged in the highest court of the universe and found
NOT GUILTY! Your case has been resolved in the supreme court of the universe, and there is no higher court.
who can condemn you? If God, the just Judge, has justified you, then who greater judge can condemn you?
Lo? Spurgeon said: 'If the judge acquits me, who can condemn me? If the highest court of
"The universe has declared me just, who will accuse me?" (All of Grace, p. 23). If the Judge of all the earth
He is ON OUR SIDE, so we have absolutely nothing to fear.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Who will condemn me? Certainly not Christ because He died for me! My condemnation
fell upon Him (Rom 8:3)! He not only died for me, but He lives for me. Satan can hurt me
accuse and your accusations against me may even be true, but the Lord Jesus Christ lives
 25

to intercede for me (to plead and pray for me). See these important passages: 1 John
2:1-2; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24. See the words of the hymn by Charles Wesley ARISE, MY SOUL, ARISE!

MY LAWYER
I sinned. And immediately, without haste, Satan flew
Before the presence of the Most High God,
And made an accusation of slander there.
He said: "This soul, this thing of clay and grass,
Pecou. It is true that he called Your name,
But I demand death, for You said:
'The soul that sins, it shall die.' Your sentence does not
Will it be fulfilled? Is justice dead?
Send this miserable sinner to his condemnation now.
What else can the just ruler do?

And so he accused me day and night,

And every word he spoke, oh God, was truth!

Then quickly One rose from the right hand of God,

Before whose glory the angels covered their eyes.
He said: "Each dot and tilde of the law
It must be fulfilled: the guilty sinner dies!
But wait ...... Suppose your guilt was all
transferred
For me to pay your penalty!
Look at my hands, my side, my feet one day.
I was made sin by him, and I died so that he
could be presented without flaw, on Your throne!

And Satan fled. He knew very well.

What could not prevail against such love,
For every word that my dear Lord spoke was
true!

--MARTHA SNELL NICHOLSON

In this context, observe the following: The Holy Spirit is for us (Romans 8:26); God the Father is for
us (Romans 8:31); God the Son is for us (Romans 8:34). Yes, the threefold God is on our side!

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

"The love of Christ" refers to the love that Christ has for us. No one (v.35) and nothing (v.39)
Can separate us from this love! We are safe and protected forever in love of
Christ! Let’s consider some of these words that are used in this verse:

TRIBULATION = pressure, affliction, anguish caused by

circumstances and external difficulties;

DISTRESS= dificuldade, angústia, angústia, dificuldades

 26

overwhelming (2 Cor. 4:8);

PERSEGUIÇÃO= perseguir os crentes para ferir e prejudicar

(see 2 Tim 3:12; 2 Cor 4:9);

HUNGER= the believers in the first century knew what hunger was
(see Acts 11:28 "famine" is the same word for hunger); nor
even natural disasters can separate us from love of
Christ;

NUDE= condição de indigente, falta de roupa suficiente, pobreza

extreme;

PERIL= perigo, perigo (veja 1 Cor.15:30);

SWORD = death by the sword (see Acts 12:2 - James, brother of

John was certainly grateful for the truth of Romans.
8:35).

As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

"Matado" = dead. It is in the present tense: "We are constantly being condemned to death."
the whole day." The expression is a hyperbole (exaggeration for effect) meaning that we are
constantly in danger of death (1 Corinthians 15:30). Notice the treatment of the people of God.
as described in Hebrews 11:36-38.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

In verse 36 we are like slaughtered sheep! In verse 37 we are MORE THAN

WINNERS! What a contrast!

"We are (v.37)" -- now that is true! "In all these things" - in the midst of all the
difficulties we triumph. "More than conquerors" = hyper-conquerors, super-conquerors,
super-winners, super-winners. It refers to someone who achieves a superior victory or
overwhelming, the one who achieves a more glorious victory. We are not just winners, we are
more than conquerors. We are not just conquerors, we are more than conquerors!

It is the word gregahupernikao (from 'huper' - compare the Portuguese words 'hyper' and 'super' and
the verb "nikao" - to conquer, to have victory (the same word used for victors in Revelation 2-
We are not just winners, we are more than winners! We are not just winners,
we are more than conquerors! How could anyone say, in light of this, that some believers are not
winners? [As some partial winners teach, as others]. No believer is
less than a winner, all believers are "more than conquerors!" Ours is a victory
overwhelming! [See our study entitled, Who is the winner?]

All these things = the things mentioned in verse 35.

Who is He that loved us? See Romans 8:35 - Christ Himself. Through Christ we are
more than conquerors. Compare 2 Corinthians 2:14 (in our own selves we fail, but in Christ
we triumphed.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 27

In these glorious verses, Paul goes to explore the entire universe to see if there is something that can help us.
to be separated from the love of Christ. Death is mentioned first because it is man's greatest fear
(Hebrews 2:15 - death is the 'king of fears'). God does not say that He will keep believers from death.
physical death, but He says that physical death will never separate us from Him! In fact, for the believer in Christ, the
death is actually the gateway to the very presence of God, where we will know Him
love more and more

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain...

having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better

2 Corinthians 5:8 - "Wishing (wishing) rather to be absent from the body and
present with the Lord

God does not remove physical death (except for those who are alive when Christ comes to
Your church - 1 Corinthians 15:51-52), but He removes the sting of death (1 Corinthians 15:55). Death
without its stinger, it is nothing to fear (just like a giant bee without its stinger is nothing more than
than a harmless ball of fur).

"Life" - no circumstance of life, no matter how hard or difficult, will be able to me

separate from the love of Christ.

Principalities - this refers to ruling angels, prince angels.

"Powers" - powerful ruling angels. Neither angel nor demon nor even the very
Satan is able to separate the believer from the love of Christ (see 1 John 4:4).

Present things nor things to come - There is nothing you are going through right now and there is no
nothing you will face in the future will be able to separate you from Christ and His love. Those who
are of Christ are united to Him forever! Blessed union!

Neither height nor depth (v.39) - both up and down, in the lowest valley
On the highest mountain, you will never find anything or anyone that separates you from love.
Christ.

"Nor any other creature" = nothing more in all of creation. Paul adds this just to
make sure you haven't lost anything. In the strongest words, Paulo assures us of our
complete security in the love of God that is found ONLY IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

There are many people who take these last two verses of this chapter and apply them
indiscriminately to all people, regardless of whether people are
you really save or not. These verses can only be applied to those who are "IN
CHRIST JESUS" (Romans 8:1) and who "love God and are called according to His purpose.
"purpose" (Romans 8:28). No one else has the right to these verses. Unbelievers
they will be separated from the love of Christ, and this separation will last for all eternity (see 2
Thessalonians 1:8-9; Matthew 25:41,46; 7:21-23; etc.

Thus, chapter 8 of Romans begins WITHOUT CONDEMNATION and ends WITHOUT

SEPARATION! The more we understand God's grace and our great salvation, the more
we wish to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age (Titus 2:11-12), so that
may we please the God who has done such great things for us! To Him be the glory now and for
eternal centuries!

Observe how the great truths of Romans 8 are

 28

found and expressed in the last stanza

the great hymn of Charles Wesley,
AND IT CAN BE

No condemnation now I fear (Rom 8:1);

Jesus, and everything in Him is mine! (Rom 8:32)

I live in him, my living head (compare Rom 8:10),

The robe of divine justice (Rom 8:30—"justified"),

Boldly I approach the eternal throne (Rom 8:15),

And I claim the crown through Christ my (Romans 8:17-18).

WONDERFUL LOVE, HOW CAN IT BE (Rom 8:38-39)

FOR MY GOD TO DIE FOR ME (Rom 8:3,32,34).

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