Romans 8:39 Study Bible: nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

◄ Romans 8:39 ►

neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Study Bible

nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord
nor height, nor depth
The terms "height" and "depth" in this context can be understood as metaphors for any extreme or dimension in the universe. The Greek words used here, "hypsōma" (height) and "bathos" (depth), suggest the vastness of creation and the immeasurable distances that exist within it. Historically, these terms could also refer to astrological or cosmic powers believed to influence human fate. Paul is emphasizing that no cosmic force or spatial dimension can sever the bond between believers and God's love. This reflects the omnipresence and omnipotence of God, who transcends all physical and spiritual realms.

nor anything else in all creation
This phrase serves as a comprehensive inclusion of all possible entities or forces that might be imagined. The Greek word "ktisis" (creation) encompasses everything that has been made, indicating that no created thing, whether seen or unseen, has the power to disrupt the relationship between God and His people. This assurance is rooted in the understanding of God as the Creator, who holds authority over all creation. Historically, this would have been a powerful statement against any pagan beliefs in multiple gods or spiritual forces that could interfere with divine love.

will be able to separate us
The Greek verb "dynamai" (to be able) underscores the absolute inability of any force to achieve separation. The use of this verb in the future tense indicates a perpetual promise, assuring believers of their eternal security in God's love. The concept of separation here is not merely physical but also spiritual and relational. This assurance would have been particularly comforting to early Christians facing persecution, reminding them that no external circumstance could sever their connection to God.

from the love of God
The "love of God" is the central theme of this passage, highlighting the divine, unconditional, and sacrificial nature of God's love for humanity. The Greek word "agape" is used here, which denotes a selfless, unwavering love that seeks the best for others. This love is not based on human merit but is a reflection of God's character and His covenantal faithfulness. In the broader scriptural context, God's love is demonstrated supremely through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

that is in Christ Jesus our Lord
The phrase "in Christ Jesus our Lord" signifies the means by which believers experience God's love. The preposition "in" (Greek "en") indicates a profound union and identification with Christ. This union is the basis for the believer's security and assurance, as it is through Christ's redemptive work that God's love is fully realized and accessible. The title "our Lord" affirms the authority and lordship of Jesus, emphasizing His role as the mediator of God's love. Historically, this declaration would have been a bold affirmation of faith in the face of Roman imperial claims of lordship, asserting that true allegiance belongs to Christ alone.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the Book of Romans, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.

2. The Roman Church
The recipients of the letter, the early Christian community in Rome, which was diverse and included both Jewish and Gentile believers.

3. Christ Jesus
Central to the message of Romans, Jesus is the embodiment of God's love and the means through which believers are united with God.

4. Creation
Refers to everything that exists, emphasizing the vastness of God's creation and the assurance that nothing within it can separate believers from God's love.

5. God's Love
A central theme in this passage, highlighting the unbreakable bond between God and believers through Jesus Christ.

Teaching Points

The Assurance of God's Love
Believers can rest in the certainty that God's love is unwavering and eternal.

The Power of Christ's Sacrifice
Jesus' role as Lord and Savior is central to our unbreakable connection with God.

The Immutability of God's Promise
God's promises are steadfast, and His love is not subject to change or external forces.

Living in Confidence
Understanding this truth empowers believers to live boldly, knowing they are secure in God's love.

Overcoming Fear and Doubt
Recognizing that nothing can separate us from God's love helps to dispel fear and doubt in our spiritual journey.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does understanding the inseparability of God's love impact your daily life and decisions?

2. In what ways can you remind yourself of God's unchanging love during times of trial or doubt?

3. How does the assurance of God's love in Romans 8:39 compare to other biblical assurances of God's presence and protection?

4. What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Christ, knowing that His love is constant?

5. How can you share the message of God's inseparable love with others in your community or church?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Ephesians 3:18-19
This passage speaks of the vastness of Christ's love, paralleling the assurance in Romans 8:39 that nothing can separate us from God's love.

John 10:28-29
Jesus speaks of the security of believers in His hand, reinforcing the idea of inseparability from God's love.

Psalm 139:7-10
The psalmist reflects on God's omnipresence, which complements the assurance that nothing in creation can separate us from His love.

Sermons

Faith Rising into Assurance	R.M. Edgar	Romans 8:31-39
The Uncertainties and Certainties of a New Year: a New Year's Sermon	C.H. Irwin	Romans 8:31-39
Christian Heroes		Romans 8:35-39
Christ's Love to Us		Romans 8:35-39
Conquerors Through Christ	M. Valentine, D.D.	Romans 8:35-39
Dangers Which Cannot Separate the Believer Front the Love of God	Thomas Horton, D.D.	Romans 8:35-39
Killing the Saints	Thomas Horton, D.D.	Romans 8:35-39
More than a Conqueror	D. Thomas, D.D.	Romans 8:35-39
More than Conqueror		Romans 8:35-39
More than Conquerors	O. Winslow, D.D.	Romans 8:35-39
More than Conquerors	C. H. Spurgeon.	Romans 8:35-39
More than Conquerors	T. G. Horton.	Romans 8:35-39
More than Conquerors	A. Maclaren, D.D.	Romans 8:35-39
Separated from Christ	J. Parker, D.D.	Romans 8:35-39
Suffering in God's Cause	Thomas Horton, D.D.	Romans 8:35-39
The Christian Conqueror	B. Beddome, M.A.	Romans 8:35-39
The Christian Conquest	Thomas Horton, D.D.	Romans 8:35-39
The Christian More than Conqueror Through Christ	J. Hamilton, D.D.	Romans 8:35-39
The Christian Rejoicing in Christ's Unchangeable Love	C. Bradley, M.A.	Romans 8:35-39
The Christian's Security		Romans 8:35-39
The Gain of the Christian Conqueror	E. L. Hull, B.A.	Romans 8:35-39
The Great Persuasion	T.F. Lockyer	Romans 8:35-39
The Indissoluble Bond	D. Thomas, D.D.	Romans 8:35-39
The Two States	Abp. Leighton.	Romans 8:35-39
The World Seeking to Destroy the Good	Thomas Horton, D.D.	Romans 8:35-39
Assurance, not Presumption	J. Hamilton, D.D.	Romans 8:38-39
Christian Confidence		Romans 8:38-39
Faith's Final Paean	T. G. Horton.	Romans 8:38-39
Love's Triumph	A. Maclaren, D.D.	Romans 8:38-39
Persuaded of the Constancy of the Divine Love	Thomas Horton, D. D.	Romans 8:38-39
Security		Romans 8:38-39
The Best Persuasion		Romans 8:38-39
The Triumphant Hope of the Christian	R. S. Storrs, D.D.	Romans 8:38-39
Things that Cannot Separate from the Love of God	Thomas Horton, D.D.	Romans 8:38-39

People

Paul, Romans

Places

Rome

Topics

Able, Anything, Christ, Created, Creation, Creature, Depth, Height, Hight, Love, Rests, Separate

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Romans 8:39

8296 love, nature of

Romans 8:28-39

5805 comfort
6708 predestination

Romans 8:29-39

6639 election, to salvation

Romans 8:31-39

     5292   defence, divine
     6126   condemnation, human
     6704   peace, divine NT

Romans 8:33-39

6511 salvation
7125 elect, the

Romans 8:35-39

     4019   life, believers' experience
     5295   destruction
     5762   attitudes, God to people
     5942   security
     8203   character
     8713   discouragement
     8797   persecution, attitudes

Romans 8:37-39

2048 Christ, love of
6249 temptation, universal

Romans 8:38-39

1085 God, love of
4185 sorcery and magic

Library

December 18:
December 18th. The misgiving which will creep sometimes over the brightest faith has already received its expression and its rebuke: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Shall these "changes in the physical state of the environment" which threaten death to the natural man, destroy the spiritual? Shall death, or life, or angels, or principalities, or powers, arrest or tamper with his eternal correspondences? …
Henry Drummond—Beautiful Thoughts

October 10. "If Ye, through the Spirit, do Mortify the Deeds of the Body, Ye Shall Live" (Rom. viii. 13).
"If ye, through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Rom. viii. 13). The Holy Spirit is the only one who can kill us and keep us dead. Many Christians try to do this disagreeable work themselves, and they are going through a continual crucifixion, but they can never accomplish the work permanently. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, and when you really yield yourself to the death, it is delightful to find how sweetly He can slay you. By the touch of the electric spark they …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

August 6. "As Many as are Led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God" (Rom. viii. 14).
"As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God" (Rom. viii. 14). The blessed Holy Spirit is our Guide, our Leader, and our Resting-place. There are times when He presses us forward into prayer, into service, into suffering, into new experiences, new duties, new claims of faith, and hope, and love, but there are times when He arrests us in our activity, and rests us under His overshadowing wing, and quiets us in the secret place of the Most High, teaching us some new lessons, breathing …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 12. "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me Free" (Rom. viii. 2).
"The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free" (Rom. viii. 2). The life of Jesus Christ brought into our heart by the Holy Spirit, operates there as a new law of divine strength and vitality, and counteracts, overcomes and lifts us above the old law of sin and death. Let us illustrate these two laws by a simple comparison. Look at my hand. By the law of gravitation it naturally falls upon the desk and lies there, attracted downward by that natural law which makes heavy bodies fall …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

November 8. "For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me Free" (Rom. viii. 2).
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free" (Rom. viii. 2). There is a natural law of sin and sickness, and if we just let ourselves go and sink into the trend of circumstances we shall go down and sink under the power of the tempter. But there is another law of spiritual life and of physical life in Christ Jesus to which we can rise and through which we can counterpoise and overcome the other law that bears us down. But to do this requires real spiritual energy and fixed …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

September 27. "The Glorious Liberty of the Children of God" (Rom. viii. 21).
"The glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom. viii. 21). Are you above self and self-pleasing in every way? Have you got above circumstances so that you are not influenced by them? Are you above sickness and the evil forces around that would drag down your physical life into the quicksands? These forces are all around, and if yielded to would quickly swamp us. God does not destroy sickness, or its power to hurt, but He lifts us above it. Are you above your feelings, moods, emotions and states? …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 11. "And He that Searcheth the Hearts Knoweth what is the Mind of the Spirit, Because He Maketh Intercession for the Saints According to the Will of God" (Rom. viii. 27).
"And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Rom. viii. 27). The Holy Spirit becomes to the consecrated heart the Spirit of intercession. We have two Advocates. We have an Advocate with the Father, who prays for us at God's right hand; but the Holy Spirit is the Advocate within, who prays in us, inspiring our petitions and presenting them, through Christ, to God. We need this Advocate. We know …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 21. "Who Shall Separate us from the Love of Christ?" (Rom. viii. 35).
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Rom. viii. 35). And then comes the triumphant answer, after all the possible obstacles and enemies have been mentioned one by one, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him that loved us." Our trials will be turned to helps; our enemies will be taken prisoners and made to fight our battles. Like the weights on yonder clock, which keep it going, our very difficulties will prove incentives to faith and prayer, and occasions …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

June 1. "That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us" (Rom. viii. 4).
"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us" (Rom. viii. 4). Beloved friends, do you know the mistake some of you are making? Some of you say: "It is not possible for me to be good; no man ever was perfect, and it is no use for me to try." That is the mistake many of you are making. I agree with the first sentence, "No man ever was perfect"; but I don't agree with the second, "There is no use trying." There is a divine righteousness that we may have. I don't mean merely that which …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 13. "The Carnal Mind is Enmity against God" (Rom. viii. 7).
"The carnal mind is enmity against God" (Rom. viii. 7). The flesh is incurably bad. "It is not subject to the law of God, neither, indeed, can be." It never can be any better. It is no use trying to improve the flesh. You may educate it all you please. You may train it by the most approved methods, you may set before it the brightest examples, you may pipe to it or mourn to it, treat it with encouragement or severity; its nature will always be incorrigibly the same. Like the wild hawk which the little …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

August 4. "Ye are not in the Flesh but in the Spirit if So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ He is None of His" (Rom. viii. 9).
"Ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His" (Rom. viii. 9). A spiritual man is not so much a man possessing a strong spiritual character as a man filled with the Holy Spirit. So the apostle said: "Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you." The glory of the new creation, then, is not only that it recreates the human spirit, but that it fits …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Consolation in Suffering, and Patience.
Text: Romans 8, 18-22. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to vanity not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Redemption of the Creatures.
Second Sermon. Text: Romans 8, 18-22. REDEMPTION OF THE CREATURES. 1. We have heard how Paul comforts the Christians in their sufferings, pointing them to the future inconceivable and eternal glory to be revealed in us in the world to come; and how he has, for our greater consolation, reminded us that the whole creation as one being suffers in company with the Christian Church. We have noted how he sees, with the clear, keen eye of an apostle, the holy cross in every creature. He brings out this …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Eighth Sunday after Trinity Living in the Spirit as God's Children.
Text: Romans 8, 12-17. 12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: 13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Accusers Challenged
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God who justifies. T hough the collating of manuscripts and various readings has undoubtedly been of use in rectifying some mistakes which, through the inadvertency of transcribers, had crept into different copies of the New Testament, yet such supposed corrections of the text ought to be admitted with caution, and not unless supported by strong reasons and authorities. The whole Scripture is given by inspiration of God: and they who thankfully …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

August the Twenty-Fifth Impotent Enemies
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" --ROMANS viii. 31-39. Who can get between the love of Christ and me? What sharp dividing minister can cleave the two in twain, and leave me like a dismembered and dying branch? Terrible experiences cannot do it. "Tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword!" All these may come about my house, but they cannot reach the inner sanctuary where my Lord and I are closeted in loving communion and peace. They may bruise my skin, …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

May the Twenty-Eighth the Sons of God
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God." --ROMANS viii. 9-17. And how unspeakably wealthy are the implications of the great word! If a son, then what holy freedom is mine! Mine is not "the spirit of bondage." The son has "the run of the house." That is the great contrast between lodgings and home. And I am to be at home with the Lord. And if a son, then heir! "All things are yours." Samuel Rutherford used to counsel his friends to "take a turn" round their estate. …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Sons and Heirs
'If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.'--ROMANS viii. 17. God Himself is His greatest gift. The loftiest blessing which we can receive is that we should be heirs, possessors of God. There is a sublime and wonderful mutual possession of which Scripture speaks much wherein the Lord is the inheritance of Israel, and Israel is the inheritance of the Lord. 'The Lord hath taken you to be to Him a people of inheritance,' says Moses; 'Ye are a people for a possession,' says …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Suffering with Christ, a Condition of Glory with Christ
'...Joint heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.'--ROMANS viii. 17. In the former part of this verse the Apostle tells us that in order to be heirs of God, we must become sons through and joint-heirs with Christ. He seems at first sight to add in these words of our text another condition to those already specified, namely, that of suffering with Christ. Now, of course, whatever may be the operation of suffering in fitting for the possession of …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Witness of the Spirit
'The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.'--ROMANS viii. 18. The sin of the world is a false confidence, a careless, complacent taking for granted that a man is a Christian when he is not. The fault, and sorrow, and weakness of the Church is a false diffidence, an anxious fear whether a man be a Christian when he is. There are none so far away from false confidence as those who tremble lest they be cherishing it. There are none so inextricably caught in …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Revelation of Sons
'For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.'--ROMANS viii. 19. The Apostle has been describing believers as 'sons' and 'heirs.' He drops from these transcendent heights to contrast their present apparent condition with their true character and their future glory. The sad realities of suffering darken his lofty hopes, even although these sad realities are to his faith tokens of joint-heirship with Jesus, and pledges that if our inheritance is here …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Links

Romans 8:39 NIV
Romans 8:39 NLT
Romans 8:39 ESV
Romans 8:39 NASB
Romans 8:39 KJV

Romans 8:39 Commentaries

Bible Hub