Romans 8:31
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Explanation and Commentary on Romans 8:31
In this life, we often suffer for a while, especially if we are persecuted for our faith. The world is fallen, and God has patiently stayed his hand of judgment for everyone who will be saved to come into his Kingdom first.
But this will sometimes mean that Christians will suffer along with the whole creation (Ro 8:18-23). We groan as we wait, and we experience hostility to our message and our way of life in Christ. But nothing can truly harm us, because nothing can separate us from the love of God.
How often we forget this powerful statement. No matter what hell throws at you, you can be confident in the face of it, because God is your good Father, and he loves you. Fearing God is the antidote to the fear of anything else. As we grow in our faith and in maturity, we experience more and more peace and confidence from God. The truth is that we can face anyone and anything because we don’t stand on our own authority but on God.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Romans 8:31
#1 “What, then, shall we say…”
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth” (Isa 53:7). Our default should be to say nothing when we are being oppressed, and so be like our Lord. What is the use of defending yourself when you already have the Lord as your defender? We have nothing to justify but sometimes are called to testify to witness to who Jesus is; In that moment, trust the Holy Spirit to give you the words (Mt 10:19).
#2 “…in response to these things?”
What Paul is mainly writing about is what we will say to ourselves and each other about the suffering, especially that of persecution, that we will face in this life from unbelievers and the fallenness of the world. It is powerful to realize that we need to say nothing because we know that God is for us, he loves us, and he will be our defender. Whether we face “trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword” (Ro 8:35), it is irrelevant because we have Christ, and in Christ, we have everything.
#3 “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
We know that God is for us because he sent his one and only Son to die for us and redeem us from the sin and rebellion that once separated us from God. But now, because of Christ, none of “these things” can separate us from God, because he has proven that he is “for us.” Therefore, we have no true rivals. Let us be hated, it makes no difference for us who are loved by God. We can even return love for hate because God has raised us above the world and anything that it can do to us.
Sermon on Romans 8:31
Expert 9 Minute Overview of Romans 5-16
Biblical Translations of Romans 8:31
NIV
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
NLT
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
ESV
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
KJV
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
NKJV
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.