What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who against us?
本节注释
Romans 8:31 — "If God be for us, who can be against us?"
After eight chapters tracing the gospel from condemnation through justification, sanctification, sonship, and finally the unbroken chain of God's purpose ending in glory, the apostle pauses with a triumphant question. Verse 31 is the conclusion drawn from "these things" — the whole sweep of grace from chapter 3:21 onward — and it sets the tone for the closing flight of the chapter.
A Conclusion Drawn from "These Things"
The challenge is not abstract; it rests on every gospel truth Paul has just unfolded. James Boyd ties the question directly to its preceding context:
James BoydHe says, "What shall we then say to these things?" The things are the grace and mercy which he has been unfolding from chapter 3:21, up till the end of chapter 8:30; beginning with the free gift of righteousness, held out to all, until the justified are glorified; and in all God is seen to be for us. So the apostle asks, what is to be the reply of our hearts to this revelation of the grace of God... And five times he, as it were, blows the trumpet, and flings out the challenge; but there is no one to answer the boasting of the apostle, or contest the victory of God.
A Chain of Three Links: God — for — us
The shortness of the sentence hides its size. Mackintosh dwells on the weight of every word:
C. H. MackintoshHow much is wrapped up in these few words, "God for us!" They form one of those marvellous chains of three links so frequently found in scripture. We have "God" linked on to "us" by that precious little word "for." This secures everything, for time and eternity. There is not a single thing within the entire range of a creature's necessities that is not included in the brief but comprehensive sentence... If God be for us, then it follows, of necessity — blessed necessity — that neither our sins, nor our iniquities, nor our guilt, nor our ruined nature, nor Satan, nor the world, nor any other creature can possibly stand in the way of our present peace and our everlasting felicity and glory.
The Witness That God Is for Us — the Gift of His Son
Faith does not measure God's heart by present trials but by Calvary. Hamilton Smith puts the proof where Paul puts it — in the gift of the Son in the next verse:
Hamilton SmithThe conclusion is that "if God be for us who can be against us?" Unbelief may look at the trials, and sorrows, and difficulties of the way, and the question may arise in the soul, "Can God be for me after all?" Faith knows that the everlasting witness that God is for us is not found in the circumstances that we pass through, but in the gift of the Son. If God "spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all", He must indeed be "for us". If He has already given the greatest gift we need have no question as to the blessings He has given and purposed for us.
A Triumphant Challenge Against Every Foe
The verse is meant to be lived in the heat of opposition. F. A. Hughes makes the point sharply:
F. A. HughesI had in mind to draw attention to the activities of divine Persons in relation to the circumstances of the saints, with the desire that we might reach Paul's note of triumph... "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?", Rom. 8:31. I believe, dear brethren, we have no authority to look forward to better times in this world... but what we can put our foot down upon without the slightest trepidation is the blessed fact that God is for His people, and if God is for us, all the powers of evil in their activities are not going to succeed against the saints.
God Has Bound Us Up with His Son
The reason God is for us is that He has joined us to the One He delights in. J. T. Mawson draws the practical fruit:
J. T. MawsonIt is a great day in our spiritual history when we learn that God has bound us up with the interests and fortunes of His dear Son, and that He is not against us, but for us. If God were against us we could not but despair, but He is for us, and if God be for us, who can be against us? That is a great and triumphant challenge!... He is ours also, to stand between us and every foe, to answer every charge and to drive away all fear of the foe from our breast. Having given His Son for us, will He withhold any good?... The enemy may take a Christian's possession from him and even his life, if God permit it, but he cannot destroy his faith or separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
To Whom Does the Verse Apply?
Mackintosh notes carefully that the comfort of this verse is not for everyone indiscriminately:
C. H. Mackintosh...the sentence culled from Romans 8:31 evidently applies, primarily, to believers and only to such, as does the entire epistle and every one of the epistles.
Summary
- The conclusion. "These things" gathers up everything from Romans 3:21 to 8:30 — free righteousness through to the justified being glorified — so the verse is the soul's answer to the whole gospel.
- Three links. "God — for — us" is a three-word chain that secures everything for time and eternity, leaving no sin, foe, or circumstance able to block our peace and glory.
- Calvary's proof. The witness that God is for us is not our circumstances but the gift of His Son; having spared Him not, He will withhold no needed good.
- Triumph in opposition. Scripture gives no promise of better times in the world, but the believer can stand without trembling on the fact that the powers of evil cannot succeed against those God is for.
- For believers. The promise applies primarily and only to those who belong to Christ; the enemy may touch possessions or life, but cannot separate faith from the love of God in Christ Jesus.