Bible Commentaries

The opening sentences of this chapter show a remarkable contrast with the previous chapter. From the fearful sense of condemnation we pass into the consciousness of no condemnation.

Having shown the negative value of the spiritual life as mastery over sin, the apostle now indicated briefly the positive value under the figure of sonship. Children are heirs of the Father's wealth and the Father's home. The apostle kept plainly in view the ground of our claim. "We are joint-heirs with Christ."

The final fact in God's salvation of man is glorification. The apostle first suggested and declined a comparison between the sufferings and the glory. So stupendous and overwhelming is the radiant vision of the ultimate issue of the work of grace, that, set in the light of it, the sufferings of the present time are incomparable. The contemplation of the glory issued in a great certainty. "We know," wrote the apostle. "What is the certainty?" Note its present tense. "All things work." Everything is contributing to the consummation. "Things work together." The "good" toward which "all things work together" is that the sons are to be conformed to the image of His Son.

The magnificent consummation consists of three questions, Who are the foes? Who are the accusers? Who are the separators? In answer to the first, the apostle declared, "God is for us." In answer to the second, he declared that God justifies us. In answer to the third, he declared that none of the terrible things which may form part of the process through which we pass to glory can separate us.