Romans 8:31 assures Christians that since God is for them, no one can effectively be against them.
This verse is a powerful promise of assurance. Because God has called, justified, and glorified believers, they can rest in the fact that no opposition can ultimately prevail against them. Les Feldick emphasizes that this confidence rests on God's work, not on human effort or circumstances.
Romans 8:31 — This verse directly asks and answers the question, stating that if God is for us, no one can be against us.
Romans 8:31 (KJV) states: "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" This verse follows a series of assurances in Romans 8, including that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (verse 1) and that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (verse 28). The context shows that God has predestined, called, justified, and glorified believers (verses 29-30), making it a logical conclusion that no one can oppose God's purposes for His people.
Les Feldick teaches that Romans 8:31 is a tremendous verse that many readers skim over without realizing its impact. He explains that Paul is referring to everything he has written before, especially in Romans 8, which begins with the assurance of no condemnation and builds to this climax. Les emphasizes that the promise that God is for us means that regardless of what others or the powers that be may do to the flesh, they cannot touch the invisible eternal part of us that is in God's hands. He also connects this promise to the next verse, Romans 8:32, which gives the reason: God did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us. This demonstrates that God is for us because He has already acted at the greatest cost. Les also uses this verse to encourage believers who feel outnumbered or fearful, reminding them of the promises of God's Word.
Les Feldick explains that this means believers can rest assured that regardless of what someone or the powers that be may do to the flesh, they can never touch that invisible eternal part of us that is in God's hands. He emphasizes that nothing can be against us because God is for us, and this promise is based on God's sovereign work.
Les teaches that the reason for this assurance is given in Romans 8:32, where it says God did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up. God allowed His Son to be crucified and did nothing to stop it, demonstrating His commitment to believers. This shows that God is for us because He has already given the greatest gift.
Les shares that believers sometimes feel outnumbered and fearful, but they can take comfort in the promises of God's Word. Just as Paul said in Romans 8:31, we can say, 'If God be for us, who can be against us?' This reinforces that we are in a minority but God is on our side.
Introduction to Romans 8
Les introduces the study of Romans 8, emphasizing the importance of teaching what the Bible says rather than what we think it says.
The Impact of Romans 8:31
Les highlights that Romans 8:31 is a tremendous verse often skimmed over, but it carries a great impact because it sums up all of Paul's previous teaching.
The Assurance of God's Promise
Les explains that this verse gives believers rest assured that no one can touch the eternal part of us because God is for us.
Encouragement in Fearful Times
Les uses this verse to encourage believers who feel outnumbered and fearful, reminding them of the promises of God's Word.
The Reason for Assurance
Les explains that God did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up, showing His commitment to believers and giving the reason for the promise.
Noah’s Ark & Your Salvation: A Deep Bible Study on Eternal Security
Is the blood of Christ sufficient to take us through those times of testing and in the final judgment and so forth? So let's go to Romans first. But in the back of your mind, always remember what we're trying to get out of this is that God shut the door. And it was the pitch, the atonement, as it were, that sealed out those waters of judgment for Noah.
Can Anything Separate You from God's Love? Romans 8:33-39
It is God who justifies, not our neighbor, not our boss, not our husband, not our wife. We don't have to give an account to any of them. It's God, the triune God, the creator God, the sustaining God. He's the one who determines who we are and what we are in the realm of the Spirit. And then verse 34, "...
Why Jesus Forbade Mary to Touch Him: The High Priest & His Blood
Because they have not trusted what God has done. See, and that's the only thing that you and I as believers can claim. It isn't what I do that's going to get me to heaven. Nothing can be done to get us into heaven. We have to rest on the fact that we're sinners. We've fallen short. We're sons of Adam. And so this is the first step of faith, to believe what God says about who? Me.
Romans 8:31: What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
This is the key verse that directly addresses the question, providing assurance of God's support.
Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
This sets the foundation for the assurance that believers are not condemned, leading to the confidence in verse 31.
Romans 8:32: 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?
This verse gives the reason for God's faithfulness, showing that He has already given the greatest gift.
This verse means that because God is on the side of believers, no one can ultimately prevail against them. Les Feldick explains that even if people or powers oppose them, they cannot touch the eternal part of a believer that is in God's hands.
No, it does not guarantee the absence of opposition, but it assures that opposition cannot ultimately overcome God's purposes for believers. Les teaches that regardless of what happens to the flesh, the spiritual part is secure in God's hands.
Watch the Teaching: Romans 8:31-39 Explained — Why Nothing Can Separate You From God