In Romans 8:31 Paul declares boldly: ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ He is implying, of course, that nobody can be against us. Perhaps you are thinking: But many people are against me. The tax man is against me! My in-laws are against me! My boss is against me! My bank manager, terrorists, corrupt politicians, the list is endless. So, what is Paul getting at?
- First, we should remember that our real struggle is not against flesh and blood. Our greatest enemies are not the people I have just mentioned. There is a more serious battle going on in the life of a Christian.
- Secondly, Let’s read the verse in context. I’ll start at verse 28, which is a favourite for many of us.
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:28-32)
The “things” Paul refers to, when he asks, ‘what shall we say in response to these things’, are the amazing proofs of God’s unfailing love listed in the preceding verses. Verse 31 is a culmination of all these glorious promises. When we grasp the truth that God is for us, we have nothing to fear. God is ‘for us’ in the sense that He is on our side; He is working on our behalf and for our ultimate good. He has proved His love by adopting us (verse 15). He has given us His Spirit (verses 26–27), and He has determined to save us (verses 29–30).
The question, “who can be against us?” is rhetorical. It’s another way of saying, “There is no one who could possibly be more powerful than God”. The idea is not that we will never face opposition, it’s simply that our opposition is doomed to failure. They may be against us, but not successfully against us. We are on the winning team. Our enemies might even destroy our bodies, but they cannot destroy our souls. Even if we die, as Christians, we win! Since God is on our side, we have nothing to fear. That is why Jesus said: ‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell’ (Matthew 10:28).
Romans 8:31 is really an echo of many other passages, for example:
- Psalm 118:6 – The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
- 2 Kings 6:16 – ‘Don’t be afraid,’ Elisha answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them’.
- Psalm 56:9 – My enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.
- Hebrews 13:6 – So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’
- Psalm 27:1 – The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
Despite all these wonderful promises, and many more, we do still endure physical, mental, and emotional struggles, so much so that we may wonder if God really is for us. Paul, the man who wrote Romans, faced the same struggles we face, and more. He lists some of his sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:22-28. He did not write from inside a bubble. He faced continuous opposition and hardship, yet his relationship with the risen Christ was his all-consuming passion. He said he considered everything else “rubbish” compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7-9). He had learned the secret of contentment; whether he was well fed or hungry, whether he had plenty or was in need, he stated: “I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
So when Paul writes, “If God is for us, who can be against us,” he is not saying that no one will try to stand against us, he is comparing earthly opposition to the eternal power of Almighty God, and of course there is no comparison.
Let me conclude with a verse very similar to the one I shared from Matthew 10, but I think Luke captures it even better. Jesus said: “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him” (Luke 12:4-5). His point is the same as Paul’s: No matter what happens to us in this earthly life, we remain more than conquerors in Christ. There is a bigger war than the one we are facing, and God is the ultimate winner. If we are on His side, we will share in His victory. There is security in this knowledge. If God has called you, and forgiven you, and adopted you, and is sanctifying you, and has promised to glorify you, then who can stand against you. There is nothing that can get in the way of God’s ultimate plan for your life. Therefore, submit your life to God.