Romans 8:37-39 express very eloquently the impregnability of our position as believers. "In all these things" is possibly the translation of a Hebraism meaning "despite all these things." [1] The Greek word hypernikomen suggests "hyper-conquerors." Our victory is sure! The Cross is the great proof of God"s love for us, and it is the basis for our victory. It proves that God is for us ( Romans 8:31). [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Romans 8:31-39 - No Separation From Christ's Love
This is the close of the Apostle's argument. He has shown that believers are dear to God because they are in Christ; that their every need has been anticipated and provided for; that their guilt has been canceled and provision made for their holy and victorious character; that the Holy Spirit is in them and with them forever; that sin is under their feet and heaven over their heads-what, then, have they to fear?
Paul then goes on to show that the love of God is unaffected by even the most extreme changes of our condition-neither death, nor life, Romans 8:38. That it is undiverted from us by any other order of beings, whether angels, principalities, or powers. That it is universally present throughout creation. And finally, that this love is in Christ Jesus our Lord. But in order to know and experience this love, we must be united to the Lord Jesus by a living faith. Then we shall be more than conquerors, that is, we shall not only be victorious, but shall get spoil out of the very things that have hurt us. [source]
Chapter Summary: Romans 8
1Those who are in Christ are free from condemnation 5What harm comes of the flesh; 13and what good of the Spirit 19The glorious deliverance the creation longs for, 29was beforehand decreed from God 38Nothing can sever us from his love
Greek Commentary for Romans 8:37
Nay [αλλα] On the contrary, we shall not be separated. [source]
We are more than conquerors [υπερνικωμεν] Late and rare compound. Here only in N.T. “We gain a surpassing victory through the one who loved us.” [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 8:37
John 16:33That in me ye may have peace [ινα εν εμοι ειρηνην εχητε] Present active subjunctive of εχω echō “that ye may keep on having peace in me,” even when I am put to death, peace to be found nowhere save in me (John 14:27). Be of good cheer Imperative active from ταρσος tharsos courage (Acts 28:15). A word for courage in the face of danger, only here in John, but see Matthew 9:2,Matthew 9:22; Mark 10:49. I have overcome the world Perfect active indicative of τετελεσται nikaō to be victorious, to conquer. Always of spiritual victory in the N.T. See 1 John 5:4. This majestic proclamation of victory over death may be compared with υπερνικωμεν tetelestai (It is finished) in John 19:30 as Christ died and with Paul‘s hupernikōmen (we are more than conquerors) in Romans 8:37. [source]
John 16:33Be of good cheer [ταρσειτε] Imperative active from ταρσος tharsos courage (Acts 28:15). A word for courage in the face of danger, only here in John, but see Matthew 9:2,Matthew 9:22; Mark 10:49. I have overcome the world Perfect active indicative of τετελεσται nikaō to be victorious, to conquer. Always of spiritual victory in the N.T. See 1 John 5:4. This majestic proclamation of victory over death may be compared with υπερνικωμεν tetelestai (It is finished) in John 19:30 as Christ died and with Paul‘s hupernikōmen (we are more than conquerors) in Romans 8:37. [source]
John 16:33I have overcome the world [εγω νενικηκα τον κοσμον] Perfect active indicative of τετελεσται nikaō to be victorious, to conquer. Always of spiritual victory in the N.T. See 1 John 5:4. This majestic proclamation of victory over death may be compared with υπερνικωμεν tetelestai (It is finished) in John 19:30 as Christ died and with Paul‘s hupernikōmen (we are more than conquerors) in Romans 8:37. [source]
2 Corinthians 4:17A far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory [καθ ' ὑπερεβολὴν εἰς ὑπερβολὴν αἰώνιον βάρος δόξης] Rev., more and more exceedingly an eternal weight, etc. An expression after the form of Hebrew superlatives, in which the emphatic word is twice repeated. Lit., exceedingly unto excess. The use of such cumulative expressions is common with Paul. See, for example, Philemon 1:23, lit., much more better; Romans 8:37, abundantly the conquerors; Ephesians 3:20, exceeding abundantly, etc. Note how the words are offset: for a moment, eternal; light, weight; affliction, glory. [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:3Even as it is meet [κατως αχιον εστιν] Οπειλομεν Opheilomen points to the divine, αχιον axion to the human side of the obligation (Lightfoot), perhaps to cheer the fainthearted in a possible letter to him in reply to Paul‘s First Thessalonian epistle (Milligan). This adjective αχιος axios is from αγω agō to drag down the scales, and so weighty, worthy, worthwhile, old word and appropriate here. For that your faith groweth exceedingly (οτι υπεραυχανει η πιστις υμων hoti huperauxanei hē pistis humōn). Causal use of οτι hoti referring to the obligation stated in οπειλομεν opheilomen The verb υπεραυχανω huperauxanō is one of Paul‘s frequent compounds in υπερ huper (υπερβαινω hupeṙbainō 1 Thessalonians 4:6; υπερεκτεινω hupeṙek̇teinō 2 Corinthians 10:14; υπερεντυγχανω hupeṙeṅtugchanō Romans 8:26; υπερνικαω hupeṙnikaō Romans 8:37; υπερπλεοναζω hupeṙpleonazō 1 Timothy 1:14) and occurs only here in N.T. and rare elsewhere (Galen, Dio Cass.). Figure of the tree of faith growing above (υπερ huper) measure. Cf. parable of Jesus about faith-like a grain of mustard seed (Matthew 13:31.). Aboundeth Same verb in 1 Thessalonians 3:12, here a fulfilment of the prayer made there. Milligan finds diffusive growth of love in this word because of “each one” Frame finds in this fulfilment of the prayer of 1 Thessalonians 3:12 one proof that II Thessalonians is later than I Thessalonians. [source]
Revelation 1:9Kingdom [βασιλείᾳ] The present kingdom. Trench is wrong in saying that “while the tribulation is present the kingdom is only in hope.” On the contrary, it is the assurance of being now within the kingdom of Christ - under Christ's sovereignty, fighting the good fight under His leadership - which gives hope and courage and patience. The kingdom of God is a present energy, and it is a peculiality of John to treat the eternal life as already present. See John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:47,John 6:54; 1 John 5:11. “In all these things we are abundantly the conquerors (Romans 8:37sqq.). This may go to explain the peculiar order of the three words; tribulation and kingdom, two apparently antithetic ideas, being joined, with a true insight into their relation, and patience being added as the element through which the tribulation is translated into sovereignty. The reference to the future glorious consummation of the kingdom need not be rejected. It is rather involved in the present kingdom. Patience, which links the life of tribulation with the sovereignty of Christ here upon earth, likewise links it with the consummation of Christ's kingdom in heaven. Through faith and patience the subjects of that kingdom inherit the promises. “Rightly he says first 'in the tribulation' and adds afterwards 'in the kingdom,' because, if we suffer together we shall also reign together” (Richard of St. Victor, cited by Trench). Compare Acts 14:22. [source]
What do the individual words in Romans 8:37 mean?
Butinthese thingsallwe more than conquerthroughthe [One]having lovedus
Greek Commentary for Romans 8:37
On the contrary, we shall not be separated. [source]
Late and rare compound. Here only in N.T. “We gain a surpassing victory through the one who loved us.” [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 8:37
Present active subjunctive of εχω echō “that ye may keep on having peace in me,” even when I am put to death, peace to be found nowhere save in me (John 14:27). Be of good cheer Imperative active from ταρσος tharsos courage (Acts 28:15). A word for courage in the face of danger, only here in John, but see Matthew 9:2, Matthew 9:22; Mark 10:49. I have overcome the world Perfect active indicative of τετελεσται nikaō to be victorious, to conquer. Always of spiritual victory in the N.T. See 1 John 5:4. This majestic proclamation of victory over death may be compared with υπερνικωμεν tetelestai (It is finished) in John 19:30 as Christ died and with Paul‘s hupernikōmen (we are more than conquerors) in Romans 8:37. [source]
Imperative active from ταρσος tharsos courage (Acts 28:15). A word for courage in the face of danger, only here in John, but see Matthew 9:2, Matthew 9:22; Mark 10:49. I have overcome the world Perfect active indicative of τετελεσται nikaō to be victorious, to conquer. Always of spiritual victory in the N.T. See 1 John 5:4. This majestic proclamation of victory over death may be compared with υπερνικωμεν tetelestai (It is finished) in John 19:30 as Christ died and with Paul‘s hupernikōmen (we are more than conquerors) in Romans 8:37. [source]
Perfect active indicative of τετελεσται nikaō to be victorious, to conquer. Always of spiritual victory in the N.T. See 1 John 5:4. This majestic proclamation of victory over death may be compared with υπερνικωμεν tetelestai (It is finished) in John 19:30 as Christ died and with Paul‘s hupernikōmen (we are more than conquerors) in Romans 8:37. [source]
Rev., more and more exceedingly an eternal weight, etc. An expression after the form of Hebrew superlatives, in which the emphatic word is twice repeated. Lit., exceedingly unto excess. The use of such cumulative expressions is common with Paul. See, for example, Philemon 1:23, lit., much more better; Romans 8:37, abundantly the conquerors; Ephesians 3:20, exceeding abundantly, etc. Note how the words are offset: for a moment, eternal; light, weight; affliction, glory. [source]
Rev. the more exceedingly. Paul uses this adverb very freely, and outside of his letters it appears only Hebrews 2:1; Hebrews 13:19. He is much given to the use of comparatives, and sometimes heaps them together: see Romans 8:37; 2 Corinthians 7:13; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Ephesians 3:20; Philemon 1:23. [source]
Οπειλομεν Opheilomen points to the divine, αχιον axion to the human side of the obligation (Lightfoot), perhaps to cheer the fainthearted in a possible letter to him in reply to Paul‘s First Thessalonian epistle (Milligan). This adjective αχιος axios is from αγω agō to drag down the scales, and so weighty, worthy, worthwhile, old word and appropriate here. For that your faith groweth exceedingly (οτι υπεραυχανει η πιστις υμων hoti huperauxanei hē pistis humōn). Causal use of οτι hoti referring to the obligation stated in οπειλομεν opheilomen The verb υπεραυχανω huperauxanō is one of Paul‘s frequent compounds in υπερ huper (υπερβαινω hupeṙbainō 1 Thessalonians 4:6; υπερεκτεινω hupeṙek̇teinō 2 Corinthians 10:14; υπερεντυγχανω hupeṙeṅtugchanō Romans 8:26; υπερνικαω hupeṙnikaō Romans 8:37; υπερπλεοναζω hupeṙpleonazō 1 Timothy 1:14) and occurs only here in N.T. and rare elsewhere (Galen, Dio Cass.). Figure of the tree of faith growing above (υπερ huper) measure. Cf. parable of Jesus about faith-like a grain of mustard seed (Matthew 13:31.). Aboundeth Same verb in 1 Thessalonians 3:12, here a fulfilment of the prayer made there. Milligan finds diffusive growth of love in this word because of “each one” Frame finds in this fulfilment of the prayer of 1 Thessalonians 3:12 one proof that II Thessalonians is later than I Thessalonians. [source]
The present kingdom. Trench is wrong in saying that “while the tribulation is present the kingdom is only in hope.” On the contrary, it is the assurance of being now within the kingdom of Christ - under Christ's sovereignty, fighting the good fight under His leadership - which gives hope and courage and patience. The kingdom of God is a present energy, and it is a peculiality of John to treat the eternal life as already present. See John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:47, John 6:54; 1 John 5:11. “In all these things we are abundantly the conquerors (Romans 8:37sqq.). This may go to explain the peculiar order of the three words; tribulation and kingdom, two apparently antithetic ideas, being joined, with a true insight into their relation, and patience being added as the element through which the tribulation is translated into sovereignty. The reference to the future glorious consummation of the kingdom need not be rejected. It is rather involved in the present kingdom. Patience, which links the life of tribulation with the sovereignty of Christ here upon earth, likewise links it with the consummation of Christ's kingdom in heaven. Through faith and patience the subjects of that kingdom inherit the promises. “Rightly he says first 'in the tribulation' and adds afterwards 'in the kingdom,' because, if we suffer together we shall also reign together” (Richard of St. Victor, cited by Trench). Compare Acts 14:22. [source]