Romans 8:17
What does Romans 8:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 8:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 8:17 means
If we are children, we are heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. This inheritance is God himself and all the blessings promised in union with Christ. Yet the path to glory mirrors Christ’s own: suffering now, glory later. Sharing in Christ’s sufferings does not negate sonship; it confirms our union with him. The verse reshapes expectations: belonging to God does not exempt us from hardship, but it guarantees a glorious destiny beyond it. Our present trials are not payment for inheritance; Christ has secured it. Rather, they are the family likeness in a world hostile to God. The certainty of being glorified with Christ sustains endurance and joy.
Romans 8:17 in context
Romans 8 — No Condemnation, No Separation
The high-water mark of Paul's letters. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. The Spirit of life sets us free from the law of sin and death; the same Spirit cries 'Abba, Father' in our hearts and assures us we are children and heirs. Suffering is real, but the glory ahead is incomparably greater. All things work together for good to those who love God. And nothing — neither death nor life nor angels nor things present nor things to come — shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Justification
- Indwelling Spirit
- Adoption
- Final perseverance
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And if we are children, we have a right to a part in the heritage; a part in the things of God, together with Christ; so that if we have a part in his pain, we will in the same way have a part in his glory.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if children, also heirs, heirs, indeed, of God, and heirs together of Christ--if, indeed, we suffer together, that we may also be glorified together.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God and joint heirs with Christ: yet so, if we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And if children, heirs also: heirs ofGod, and Christ's joint heirs; if indeed we suffer with [him], that we may also be glorified with [him].
Context
Having established adoption and assurance (vv. 15–16), Paul draws out the inheritance logic in verse 17. He introduces the crucial link between suffering and glory, preparing for verse 18’s comparison of present sufferings and future glory. This introduces a broader horizon that encompasses not only believers but all creation (vv. 19–22), and then returns to the believer’s groaning and hope (vv. 23–25). The movement widens the lens from personal sonship to cosmic redemption.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?
- Luke 22:29
and I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed unto me,
- 1 Peter 1:4
unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
- Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
- Galatians 4:7
So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
- Revelation 3:21
He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.
Sermon ideas from Romans 8:17
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Romans 8:17 teaches us about justification
What Romans 8:17 teaches us about indwelling spirit
What Romans 8:17 teaches us about adoption
What Romans 8:17 teaches us about final perseverance
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