who is he that condemns? [It is] Christ who has died, but rather has been [also] raised up; who is also at the right hand of God; who also intercedes for us.
The verse before said that God justifies, so Paul now asks who is left to condemn. His answer is four facts about one Person: His death, His resurrection, His place at God's right hand, and His work there now.
The Question Already Answered
The question is a challenge, not a doubt. One writer shows how the verse answers it:
Secondly, "Who is he that condemns?" If God justifies, who can condemn? To answer this question the Apostle brings together in one verse, the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. The letter has already shown that God justifies the believer through the death of Christ. It also shows how perfect this justification is in the resurrection of Christ. Now in the glory He intercedes on behalf of those whom He has justified. If there is an active enemy ever ready to accuse the saints, there is a living Person who intercedes on their behalf.
Four Steps, Each One Stronger
The small linking words matter. In the older translation these writers quote, they read "rather," "even," "also" — each a step beyond the last:
Notice how the words build: "rather," then "even," then "also." The apostle boldly challenges the right of any to condemn... Christ has died for him and borne the condemnation of sin in his place. How then can that condemnation fall on the believer? But more; He has risen again out of it, above it, and above the place it brought Him into. So where is the accusation of sin now, or the condemnation?... He goes on: "who is even at the right hand of God." There He must be out of reach of every accusation. On top of that He "makes intercession" about the sin whose judgment He bore, and out of which He has risen... The One who took that sin on Himself and became answerable for it is now not only risen, but at the right hand of God. His place there, and His title to be there — which God Himself has owned — would have to be overthrown before anything could be charged to the believer now.
Resurrection and Glory as Proof
Christ's death paid for our offences. But how do we know God accepted it?
The answer is "It is Christ that died." By His death He made full expiation for all our offences. But how do we know that? "Yea, rather, that is risen again." His resurrection is God's seal upon the value of His death; the proof that the price paid in it was enough... "Who is even at the right hand of God." His exaltation is the declaration of God's entire satisfaction and delight in His work which He accomplished for us. The believer's Substitute and Representative is at the right hand of God. Could He have been there if one sin had remained on Him? Impossible!
What Interceding Means
The verse ends by saying Christ "is interceding for us." What does that mean?
Some say this means He appears for us on the question of sin. It is nothing of the kind. Intercession means going to someone, on behalf of another, to get what you want for that one. It is the same word in Romans 8:26 and 34; the Spirit works in our hearts, but He does not appear anywhere for us. But Christ is standing in the presence of God, and He is the One actively engaged in obtaining for us all that we need. It is not that we go to Him, but that He goes to God for us. He is our righteousness there, He has made propitiation, and therefore He can use the grace that is in God... He ever lives to carry on this constant service on our behalf.
The Shield Against the Accuser's Thrust
But what about sins committed after conversion? The enemy uses them to attack:
Now the enemy who deceived Eve would step in here and say: All that is true if you never sin after your conversion. But if a Christian does sin, surely that sin will separate him from the love of Christ. Dear young believer, make sure your shield is not down when the devil gives you this thrust. Precious answer: "Who also makes intercession for us."... From how many sins does that intercession preserve us!
Christ in Heaven, Occupied With Us
Romans mostly presents Christ dead and risen. This verse is the one place it lifts our eyes to where He now is:
There is however one mention of Christ in heaven... How wonderful to think of this. Men rejected Him. Now, in His place at God's right hand, He is occupied with intercession for those who have trusted Him. On the cross He interceded for sinners; on the throne He intercedes for those who have believed on Him.
Summary
- Died — Christ bore the condemnation our sins deserved, so it cannot fall on us again.
- Raised — His resurrection is God's seal on the value of that death. The price He paid was enough.
- Seated — no accusation can reach God's right hand, and our Representative is the One seated there.
- Interceding — from there He does not argue the sin question again. He gets for us the grace we need.
- Unanswerable — God justifies and Christ intercedes. The accuser has no charge left to bring.