Romans 8:38
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Romans 8:38 in other translations
| BSB | For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, |
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| WEB | For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, |
| ASV | For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, |
| YLT | for I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor messengers, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, |
| DARBY | For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, |
| BBE | For I am certain that not death, or life, or angels, or rulers, or things present, or things to come, or powers, |
| Webster | For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, |
What does Romans 8:38 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 8:38-39
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Neither death. Neither the fear of death, nor all the pains and tortures of the dying scene, even in the most painful trials of persecution; death in no form.
Nor life. Nor the hope of life; the love of life; the offer of life made to us by our persecutors, on condition of abjuring our Christian faith. The words evidently refer to times of persecution; and it was not uncommon for persecutors to offer life to Christians, on condition of their renouncing attachment to the Saviour, and offering sacrifice to idols. All that was demanded in the times of persecution under the Roman emperors was, that they should throw a few grams of incense on the altar of a heathen god, as expressive of homage to the idol. But even this they would not do. The hope of life on so very easy terms would not, could not, alienate them from the love of Christ.
Nor angels. It seems to be apparent that good angels cannot be intended here. The apostle was saying that nothing would separate Christians from the love of Christ. Of course, it would be implied that the things which he specifies might be supposed to have some power or tendency to do it. But it is not conceivable that good angels, who are "sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," (Heb 1:14) should seek to alienate the minds of Christians from the Saviour, or that their influence should have any such tendency. It seems to be clear, therefore, that he refers to the designs and temptations of evil spirits. The word angels is applied to evil spirits in Mt 25:41, 1Cor 6:3.
Nor principalities, (αρχαι). This word usually refers to magistrates and civil rulers. But it is also applied to evil angels, as having dominion over men. Eph 6:12, "For we wrestle against--principalities." Col 2:15, "And having spoiled principalities." 1Cor 15:24, "When he shall have put down rule," Greek, (αρχην). Some have supposed that it refers here to magistrates, and those in authority, who persecuted Christians; but the connexion of the word with angels seems to require us to understand it of evil spirits.
Nor powers. This word (δυναμεις) is often applied to magistrates; but it is also applied to evil spirits that have dominion over men, 1Cor 15:24. The ancient rabbins also give the name powers to evil angels. (Schleusner.) There can be no doubt that the Jews were accustomed to divide the angels of heaven into various ranks and orders, traces of which custom we find often in the Scriptures. And there is also reason to suppose that they made such a division with reference to evil angels, regarding Satan as their leader, and other evil spirits, divided into various ranks, as subordinate to him. See Mt 25:41, Eph 6:12 Col 2:15. To such a division there is probably reference here; and the meaning is, that no order of evil angels, however powerful, artful, or numerous, would be able to alienate the hearts of Christians from their Redeemer.
Nor things present. Calamities and persecutions to which we are now subject.
Nor things to come. Trials to which we may be yet exposed. It evinced strong confidence to say that no possible trials should be sufficient to destroy their love for Christ.
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 8:32-39
All things whatever, in heaven and earth, are not so great a display of God's free love, as the gift of his coequal Son to be the atonement on the cross for the sin of man; and all the rest follows upon union with him, and interest in him. All things, all which can be the causes or means of any real good to the faithful Christian. He that has prepared a crown and a kingdom for us, will give us what we need in the…
Romans 8:38 in the original Greek
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Cross references for Romans 8:38
- John 10:28
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
- Romans 14:8
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
- 2 Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
- 1 Peter 5:8-10
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
- 1 Peter 3:22
Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
- Colossians 1:16
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
- 1 Corinthians 3:22-23
Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
- Colossians 2:15
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
- Ephesians 6:11-12
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
- Romans 4:21
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
- Ephesians 1:21
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
- 1 Corinthians 15:54-58
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. …
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Romans 8:37
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
- Romans 8:38
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
- Romans 8:39
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Por lo cual estoy cierto que ni la muerte, ni la vida, ni ángeles, ni principados, ni potestades, ni lo presente, ni lo por venir, |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Car je suis assuré que ni mort, ni vie, ni anges, ni principautés, ni choses présentes, ni choses à venir, ni puissances, |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Denn ich bin überzeugt, daß weder Tod noch Leben, weder Engel noch Fürstentümer, weder Gegenwärtiges noch Zukünftiges, noch Gewalten, |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Certus sum enim quia neque mors, neque vita, neque angeli, neque principatus, neque virtutes, neque instantia, neque futura, neque fortitudo, |