Why could Paul say 'If God be for us, who can be against us?'
Paul could say it because all three persons of the Trinity are constantly working on behalf of believers: the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, the Son advocates with the Father, and God hears each believer individually. Therefore no opposing power can ultimately prevail against those for whom God Himself is working.
Les explains this in connection with Romans 8, where the Holy Spirit is interceding on behalf of us, and all three persons of the Trinity are involved even in our prayer line. He notes that all three persons are working for us constantly. In I John 2:1, when any man sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous, who is there twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year. Les also illustrates that at any moment perhaps a million believers worldwide approach the throne room, yet God hears everyone as an individual, not as a mumble jumble of voices. Therefore we have assurance that He hears us and knows all about us. Romans 8:27 adds that He searches the hearts and knows the mind of the Spirit. Because of this constant divine work on our behalf, Paul can write, 'If God be for us, who can be against us?'
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
More Questions
If God is for us, who can be against us?
If it is true that we have been justified, glorified, and forgiven, then the conclusion is that if God is for us no one can be against us, and that is where God wants us to rest.
What does 'if God be for us, who can be against us' mean in Romans 8:31?
In Romans 8:31, 'God for us, who against us?' means that believers can rest assured that no matter what people or authorities do to their physical flesh, they can never touch the invisible, eternal part of them, because that part is in God's hands.