Who Shall Separate Us

Romans 8:31-35 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

‘What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? … how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? … Who is he that condemns? … Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?’ We must conclude from these doctrines that God is for us and will freely give us all things; that God alone is our judge; that Christ and the Holy Spirit are our helpers; that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ; and that we are more than conquerors over all enemies through Jesus Christ our Lord. Please note that sin will remove us from His grace and one cannot sin and claim these Scriptures for oneself (Isa. 59:1-2; Heb. 10:26-31).

‘Lay … to the charge of’ [Greek: engkaleo] call to judicial account (Acts 19:38). God justifies the elect.

‘Elect’ [Greek: eklektos] anyone chosen of God at any time, Jew or Gentile, is the elect of God (9:11; 11:5, 7, 28; 1Thess. 1:4; 1Pet. 5:13; 2Pet. 1:10). All men are called to become God’s elect or chosen ones and can be if they will choose God (Matt. 11:28-30; 20:16; John 1:12; 3:16-20; 6:37; Eph. 1:4; 2Thess. 2:13; Jas. 2:5; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; Rev. 17:14; 22:17).

‘It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us’ four redemptive acts of Christ: His death and resurrection, His ascension (Eph. 1:20) and intercession (8:27).

‘Who also makes intercession for us’ because He is an everlasting priest, and has made the only true atonement for sin, He is able to save from all sin to the uttermost, in all places, at all times, and under all circumstances. The condition of salvation is coming to God by Him.

‘Intercession’ [Greek: entungchano] to light upon; fall in with; meet with; intercede with and for (8:27, 34; 11:2; Heb. 7:25) and “deal with” (Acts 25:24).

Seven purposes of intercession: To come to or meet a person for any cause whatever (8:27, 34; Heb. 7:25); to plead the cause of others as in a civil court (Isa. 59:9-18; 1Tim. 2:1); to pray for others (8:26-27, 34; Isa. 53:12; Luke 22:44; Heb. 7:25); to defend or vindicate a person or thing (Jer. 7:16; 27:18; 36:25); to commend others to a person (8:26-27); to furnish any kind of assistance or help (8:26-27); to accuse or act against a person in a judicial way (11:2; Acts 25:24).

‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ’ not who shall keep Christ from loving us, but who or what shall keep us from loving Him? This is the true idea, for the things listed here might affect people, but not Christ. If we will not permit them to affect our love for Christ, then we are safe from all danger of backsliding.