Devine Scripture

Romans 8:38

What does Romans 8:38 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 8:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 8:38 means

Paul is personally convinced that nothing in the vast range of existence can sever believers from God’s love. He names extremes—death and life, angelic and demonic powers, present and future realities—to cover every category that might alarm us. Even powerful spiritual beings and unfolding events are subordinate to God’s covenant love. The list is not exhaustive but representative, inviting readers to add their own fears and see them overruled by divine love. This conviction is not wishful thinking; it rests on the gospel truths already rehearsed: God justifies, Christ intercedes, the Spirit indwells. Therefore, no external force can undo what God’s love has secured.

Romans 8:38 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 · 2000

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For I am certain that not death, or life, or angels, or rulers, or things present, or things to come, or powers,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor messengers, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

Context

Following the triumph of verse 37, Paul begins his climactic assurance with a sweeping catalog of potential separators, denying their power to break God’s love-bond with his people. Verse 38 emphasizes temporal extremes and spiritual powers. Verse 39 will complete the list with spatial extremes and any other created thing, and then explicitly name the love’s locus: the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, concluding the chapter’s symphony of assurance.

v.37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

v.38This passage

v.39nor 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Philippians 1:20

    according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.

  • John 10:28

    and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:4

    For indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:14

    And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.

  • 2 Timothy 1:12

    For which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day.

  • Colossians 1:16

    for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him;

Sermon ideas from Romans 8:38

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Romans 8:38 teaches us about justification

  • What Romans 8:38 teaches us about indwelling spirit

  • What Romans 8:38 teaches us about adoption

  • What Romans 8:38 teaches us about final perseverance

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