Introduction: In Romans 8:19-27, we learned about dealing with suffering (gaining an eternal perspective, hope for a future redemption, Spirit’s intercession for us). While we strive to experience these truths, we may still feel that life is simply too harsh, too chaotic, too broken. 

In a word, we still feel insecure. Insecure with our relationships. Insecure with our finances. Insecure with our futures. Insecure with our careers. Insecure with our relationship with God 

Whereas Romans 8:19-27 provided a big picture of persevering through our suffering, Romans 8:28-39 is more up close and personal and answers the question, “Are we victims of circumstance?” To those who are experiencing doubts about life, this passage teaches that we are not mere victims of circumstance. In fact, we are more than conquerors! 

What does Paul mean that we are more than conquerors? I think Paul proclaims this truth because he wanted us to know that we are have triumphed victoriously over our enemies (e.g., Satan, our sin, sufferings, death). We are more than conquerors but many of us live like victims of circumstance.    

We are more than conquerors because God is sovereign, God guarantees our salvation, and God’s love changes everything. 

Romans 8:28: We are more than conquerors because God’s is sovereign. Who’s in control? It’s not fate. It’s not Satan. It’s not the government. It’s not our parents. Rather, God is sovereignly in control—He has authority and power to do what He pleases (though He won’t contradict His nature).

God’s sovereignty should not only bring us peace, but it should also lead us to our knees in worship and thanksgiving. God is sovereign over all things (Job 42:2; Jeremiah 32:27; Daniel 4:35; Ephesians 1:1), rules all things (1 Chronicles 29:11-12), and has authority over life and death (Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 12:6). There is nothing in creation that God does not control, direct, or guide. 

This verse teaches three things about God’s sovereign promise. First, this promise is “for those who love God” (God’s people). This doesn’t mean He’s not sovereign over people who don’t love Him, but rather, that His plans will be understood (especially) by His people (by faith) who can see His “invisible” hand over their lives. 

Second, this promise refers to “all things [that] work together” (comprehensive). The significance of this truth is that it gives us a “broad view” of things. In other words, when “bad” things happen to us that don’t make sense we can (still) be confident that it’s just a piece of the overall puzzle that God is working together.

Third, this promise is “for good” and for “those who are called according to his purpose” (intentional). God’s sovereign plan is not whimsical, haphazard, or some spontaneous response. Because God’s sovereign plan is “for good” and “according to his purpose” we know that He’s directing and moving things in our life (and the world) toward a plan that will bring Him glory.    

 

Romans 8:29-30: We are more than conquerors because God has guaranteed our salvation. These verses (and many in Romans chapter nine) have been a place of contention among Christians. Before addressing the different views, it’s important to make a few observations. First, we need to be humble when we present and argue for one position over the others. 

Second, unity in the body of Christ is essential: “In essentials, unity, in non-essentials, liberty, in all things charity.” Third, when teaching theology, we should be careful to not too focus so much on a particular interpretation that we lose sight of the big picture: theology should lead to worship and transformation.

 

In general, there are three views concerning God’s role in choosing His people for salvation (Calvinism, Arminianism, corporate election). According to Calvinism, God chooses individuals to be saved (the word predestination is sometimes used) apart from the person’s foreseen faith.

Arminianism believe that God chooses individuals to be saved because He foreknew that they would place their trust in Christ. Whereas the first two positions highlight God’s choice of individuals for salvation, the third view emphasizes the group.

Advocates of corporate election believe that God chooses a group of people in Christ but individuals can choose to participate in that group (Israel in OT, Church in NT). (Full disclosure: formerly, I held to the Arminian position, then I changed to the Calvinist position, and most recently, I’ve been “leaning” toward the corporate election view.)

(In the next commentary study of Romans 9:1-10:4, I will provide more background information regarding Calvinism, Arminianism, and the issue of God’s sovereignty vs our free will.)

Regardless of one’s view, I think it’s more important to understand the key teaching point of Romans 8:29-30: God has guaranteed our salvation from the beginning to the end because He knew that our brokenness, doubts, and fears would undermine our confidence in Christ.

So, how does God do this?

First, God foreknew us. This foreknowledge includes two aspects. (1) God knew beforehand who would come to faith in Christ (a historical knowledge of something that would occur beforehand). (2) The word “foreknew” also includes an intimate and relational aspect. So, God foreknew us in a personal way. 

Second, God predestined (choose) us. As mentioned above, we have three options to consider how God chose us. Most importantly, God chose us “to be conformed to the image of his Son.” In other words, the focus is intention: God chose us for a purpose. He chose us so that we would be like Jesus—not divine, but eventually by God’s grace, holy and spiritually complete. 

He chose us to be “firstborn.” This word suggests preeminence. We have preeminence among others because we will be “conformed to the image of his Son.”

Third, God called us. God called us through the proclamation of the gospel and conviction of the Holy Spirit. We need both the ministry of the gospel and Spirit to place our faith in Christ. So, we would be hopeless without God’s call to be saved.  

Fourth, God justified us. We have already highlighted the importance of this teaching (Romans 3:21-31; 8:1). Briefly, God declared us righteous on the basis of Jesus’ perfect life, death, and resurrection. 

Fifth, God glorified us. What’s amazing about this element is that Paul is portraying this truth as if it already happened even though it’s in the future! One day we will be without sin and have perfectly redeemed and glorified bodies (Romans 8:18-27). 

Romans 8:31-37: We are more than conquerors because God’s love changes everything. Whereas Romans 8:29-30, highlighted a chain of five interlocking truths guaranteeing our salvation, this passage identifies five questions. What’s the key point? Our experiences of love are ultimately fragile and fleeting, but God’s radical love brings healing and transformation.

Q1: If God is for us, who can be against us? (8:31)

A1: God’s love is personal and purposeful. 

Regardless of our enemies, we can find confidence and comfort knowing that God is on our side. We know that God is on our side because He is sovereignly in control (8:28) and foreknew, predestined, called, justified, and glorified us (8:29-30).  

Q2: How will [God]…not also…give us all things? (8:32)

A2: God’s love is sacrificial and gracious. 

Paul’s point is rhetorical in nature and moves from the greater to the lesser. In other words, if the greater example of God’s love for us is demonstrated at the cross, then will He not (Paul argues) “give us all things” necessary (the lesser) for life? 

Q3 and Q4: Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? (8:33) Who condemn us? (8:34)

A3 and A4: God’s love is liberating. 

Although Satan, the world, our family and friends, and our very selves bring charges against us for sinning and failing, God justifies us. All these people (including ourselves) seek to condemn us, but God’s declaration (imagine us in a court of law)—we are righteous in Jesus counteracts our feelings of guilt and shame. 

God’s love is liberating because it’s Christ-centered. It’s all about Jesus. Jesus died for our sin, he was raised to new life (resurrected), and he now intercedes for us at the Father’s right hand (a place of spiritual preeminence and authority). 

Q5: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (8:35) 

A5: God’s love is beautiful and never-ending. Paul provides a list of things that could possibly separate us from a love that is incomplete and imperfect. Because God’s love is complete and perfect (and lacks nothing), nothing can “separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (8:39). 

What are things that we will (or may) experience in life that will test us to say, “God doesn’t care or love us anymore?” 

According to Paul, we will be like “sheep to be slaughtered.” (8:36) Upon reading (and experiencing these things on this list), we may feel weak and defeated. But Paul turns these experiences on their head: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (8:37) We are not victims, but victorious conquerors. 

But our experiences of love in this world—a love that is fragile and fleeting makes us question God’s love for us. We are insecure. Perhaps God’s love is also fragile and fleeting? In response, Paul provides a list that challenges the truth of God’s love for us: 

But none of these things “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (8:39) God really does love us! 

In summary, Romans 8:28-39 answers the question, “Are we victims of circumstance?” We are not victims of circumstance because we are more than conquerors. We are more than conquers because God is sovereign, God guarantees our salvation, and God’s love changes everything. 

 

1. How does Romans 8:28 provide spiritual security and peace? 

2. Read Romans 8:29. What does it mean that God foreknew and predestined us? Explain the importance of being called, justified, and glorified (see study notes).

3. For reflection questions 3-6, Paul asks a question and then provides an answer. For each question (3-6) explain Paul’s answer and its importance: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (8:31)

4. “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?” (8:322)

5. “Who shall bring any charge against God's elect?” (8:33) and “Who is to condemn?” (8:34) 

6. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (8:35)

7. Romans 8:28-39 highlights that we are more than conquerors. How do these truths encourage you to draw nearer to God? How will you experience these truths during this week?