Movatterモバイル変換

Romans 8:39
Nor 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.

Psalm 103:17
But the mercy of the LORDis from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me,saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

shall tribulation.

Romans 8:17
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer withhim, that we may be also glorified together.

Romans 5:3-5
And not onlyso, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; …

Matthew 5:10-12
Blessedare they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…

Shall trouble or distress
These terms refer to external pressures and internal anxieties that believers may face. Historically, early Christians experienced significant hardships, including societal rejection and personal struggles. The Greek words used here, "thlipsis" (trouble) and "stenochoria" (distress), suggest intense pressure and confinement, akin to being trapped. This reflects the trials faced by the apostles and early church, as seen in Acts and Paul's epistles.

or persecution
Persecution was a common experience for the early church, as believers were often targeted for their faith. This includes both physical harm and social ostracism. The New Testament records numerous instances of persecution, such as Stephen's martyrdom (Acts 7) and Paul's own sufferings (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). This phrase reassures believers that even such severe trials cannot sever them from Christ's love.

or famine
Famine represents extreme deprivation and need. In the ancient world, famines were not uncommon and could devastate communities. The mention of famine recalls the Old Testament narratives, such as Joseph's story in Genesis, where God provided for His people despite severe scarcity. This underscores God's provision and care, even in dire circumstances.

or nakedness
Nakedness symbolizes vulnerability and shame. In biblical times, clothing was a basic necessity, and lack of it indicated extreme poverty or humiliation. This term may also allude to the shame Christ bore on the cross, where He was stripped and exposed. Believers are reminded that their dignity and worth are secure in Christ, regardless of external conditions.

or danger
Danger encompasses various threats to life and safety. The early Christians often faced dangers from natural elements, travel, and hostile environments. Paul's own journeys, as recorded in Acts, were fraught with perils, yet he remained steadfast in his mission. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's protection and guidance through life's uncertainties.

or sword?
The sword represents the ultimate threat of death. In the Roman context, execution by the sword was a real possibility for those who defied imperial authority. This phrase highlights the reality of martyrdom faced by many early Christians. Yet, it also points to the victory over death achieved through Christ's resurrection, affirming that even death cannot separate believers from His love.

Paul opens with a sweeping challenge. No created being or circumstance can pry believers from Christ’s embrace (John 10:28-29). His love is covenantal and unbreakable, echoing the steadfast refrain ofPsalm 136, “His loving devotion endures forever.” Because Christ’s love is rooted in His finished work (Romans 8:32), it stands outside the reach of any earthly force.

Life’s crushing pressures—family crises, financial shocks, sudden illness—cannot dislodge us. Paul elsewhere testifies, “We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). The same God who delivered Israel from Egypt still proves His faithfulness in the tight spots of everyday discipleship.

When anxiety threatens to suffocate and options run out, Christ’s love remains. David cried from suffocating “distress” yet found refuge (Psalm 18:6).Hebrews 13:5 anchors us the same way: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” External circumstances may hem us in, but His presence enlarges our hearts within the confinement.

Hostility for the faith—mockery at school, loss of position, even imprisonment—was Paul’s daily reality (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Yet he insists persecution cannot sever us from Christ; instead it confirms our union with Him (Matthew 5:11-12;Acts 5:41). In suffering with Christ, believers experience His nearness more keenly.

Material lack, whether food insecurity or broader economic collapse, never signals divine abandonment. Elijah was fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:6), and Paul learned contentment in both hunger and fullness (Philippians 4:12-13). Christ’s love supplies strength even when cupboards are bare.

Exposure and vulnerability—literal or figurative—cannot shame us out of His care. Adam and Eve’s covering inGenesis 3:21 previews the full clothing of righteousness granted in Christ (Isaiah 61:10). Even when earthly shelter or dignity is stripped away, believers are “clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

Whether shipwrecks, storms, or societal upheaval, believers live under divine supervision (Acts 27:22-25).Psalm 91 describes the Lord as refuge amid “the peril of the day.” Dangers may surge, yet they cannot breach the perimeter of Christ’s love.

The ultimate threat—violence and death—still fails to separate. Jesus conquered death (2 Timothy 1:10); therefore, martyrdom ushers the believer not into separation but into closer fellowship: “to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).Revelation 2:10 affirms, “Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Romans 8:35 catalogs the fiercest foes a believer might face, only to declare them powerless against Christ’s unbreakable love. From everyday pressures to lethal persecution, nothing outside or inside creation can detach us from Him. His cross secured an eternal bond; His resurrection guarantees its permanence. Rest, therefore, not in changing circumstances but in the constant, conquering love of Christ.

Shall tribulation?--Comp.2Corinthians 6:4;2Corinthians 11:23. The Apostle is speaking from his own actual experience.

Parallel Commentaries ...