Romans 8:14-19
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.(A) 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba,[a] Father!”(B) 16 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,(C) 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.(D)
Destiny of Glory.[b] 18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.(E) 19 For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God;
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 8:15 Abba: see note on Mk 14:36.
- 8:18–27 The glory that believers are destined to share with Christ far exceeds the sufferings of the present life. Paul considers the destiny of the created world to be linked with the future that belongs to the believers. As it shares in the penalty of corruption brought about by sin, so also will it share in the benefits of redemption and future glory that comprise the ultimate liberation of God’s people (Rom 8:19–22). After patient endurance in steadfast expectation, the full harvest of the Spirit’s presence will be realized. On earth believers enjoy the firstfruits, i.e., the Spirit, as a guarantee of the total liberation of their bodies from the influence of the rebellious old self (Rom 8:23).
Romans 8:34-35
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
34 Who will condemn? It is Christ [Jesus] who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.(A) 35 What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?
Read full chapter
Romans 8:37-39
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
37 No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.(A) 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things,[a] nor future things, nor powers,(B) 39 nor height, nor depth,[b] nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 8:38 Present things and future things may refer to astrological data. Paul appears to be saying that the gospel liberates believers from dependence on astrologers.
- 8:39 Height, depth may refer to positions in the zodiac, positions of heavenly bodies relative to the horizon. In astrological documents the term for “height” means “exaltation” or the position of greatest influence exerted by a planet. Since hostile spirits were associated with the planets and stars, Paul includes powers (Rom 8:38) in his list of malevolent forces.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.