Romans 8:36Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And not by this alone, but also by many different and varied crowns, he again adorned the athletes. Since it is impossible for them, as men, to undergo death many times, the Apostle proves that the rewards are not diminished in any way because of this. Although by nature it has been granted to man as his lot to die only once, God has granted us the possibility, if we wish, to undergo this daily by our will.

From this it is clear that we shall depart having as many crowns as the days we live here, or even more crowns. For in one day one can die once, twice, and many times. The one who is prepared for this always receives the perfect reward. The Prophet understood this when he said, “all the day long.” The Apostle cited his words for the greater encouragement of his hearers.

If those who lived in the Old Testament, whose reward for their labors was the earth and things destroyed together with the present life, so despised the present life, temptations, and afflictions, what excuse can we have? After heaven, the Kingdom on high, and ineffable blessings, we remain in sloth and do not reach even the measure attained by those of the Old Testament.

The Apostle, however, did not say this, but left it to the consciences of his hearers. He is content with one testimony and proves that their bodies are a sacrifice, and that they must not be afraid or troubled, because God Himself has so ordered it.

The Apostle also offers them another kind of exhortation. So that no one might say that he is merely philosophizing contrary to actual experience, he added, “We were counted as sheep for the slaughter.” By this he signifies that the apostles were exposed to death daily. Do you notice their courage and meekness? As sheep do not resist when they are slaughtered, so also we, says Paul.

Nor things to come, that is, neither present nor any future sufferings, nor height, nor depth, that is, neither glory nor dishonor, nor any other creature, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The Apostle speaks of the good angels only hypothetically (Gal 1:8), and because of his strong desire to show the highest degree of love for God, as Theophylact says.

This striving comes through appropriation of the saving justification accomplished by the Son and given through the Holy Spirit.

With the foremost and most chosen Christians in view, the Apostle says that Christians are already truly penetrated by such great love.

The examples of many Apostles who had already suffered for the faith of Christ were clear proof of this.

In the Apostle’s final words one hears his own powerful readiness for martyrdom. He calls all Christians not only to steadfastness and courage in sorrows, but also to martyrdom.

This martyrdom is unconquered by anything and victorious over all, even though Christians were led to Rome like sheep to the slaughter.

They were led to be torn apart by the mighty claws of enraged tigers and lions, deliberately released for this purpose into the vast arena of the Roman theater, the Colosseum, filled with bloodthirsty spectators.

“If those of the Old Testament,” says Saint John Chrysostom, “who had as the reward of their labors the earth and what passes away with the present life, so despised the present life, temptations, and misfortunes,

“what excuse shall we have, who have heaven, the Kingdom on high, and ineffable blessings as our reward, if we grow weak in spirit and do not attain the same measure that those of the Old Testament attained?”

“Therefore do not lose faith that, when we are subjected to blows, we overcome those who beat us; when we are driven out, we hold our persecutors in our power; and when we die, we strike the living.

“The Apostles not only conquered, but also made their victories objects of wonder.”

As the highest superiority of the life of grace, the Apostle points out that it is entirely founded on love and stands by love.

By love we were predestined to salvation, called, justified, and glorified. By the love of God, Jesus Christ suffered for us.

Now, sitting at the right hand of the Father, He mercifully intercedes for us. He will also judge all, and at last will grant the whole fullness of glory corresponding to His glorified human nature.

Is it not clear that we must have such love for God that nothing could overcome it?

For in God there is such an abyss of blessedness for us that no attachments, torments, or powers should stop us in our striving toward God.

This striving comes through appropriation of the saving justification accomplished by the Son and given through the Holy Spirit.

With the foremost and most chosen Christians in view, the Apostle says that Christians are already truly penetrated by such great love.

The examples of many Apostles who had already suffered for the faith of Christ were clear proof of this.

In the Apostle’s final words one hears his own powerful readiness for martyrdom. He calls all Christians not only to steadfastness and courage in sorrows, but also to martyrdom.

This martyrdom is unconquered by anything and victorious over all, even though Christians were led to Rome like sheep to the slaughter.

They were led to be torn apart by the mighty claws of enraged tigers and lions, deliberately released for this purpose into the vast arena of the Roman theater, the Colosseum, filled with bloodthirsty spectators.

“If those of the Old Testament,” says Saint John Chrysostom, “who had as the reward of their labors the earth and what passes away with the present life, so despised the present life, temptations, and misfortunes,

“what excuse shall we have, who have heaven, the Kingdom on high, and ineffable blessings as our reward, if we grow weak in spirit and do not attain the same measure that those of the Old Testament attained?”

“Therefore do not lose faith that, when we are subjected to blows, we overcome those who beat us; when we are driven out, we hold our persecutors in our power; and when we die, we strike the living.

“The Apostles not only conquered, but also made their victories objects of wonder.”

“We are put to death all the day long,” that is, every day or all day. They put us to death at every moment, without ceasing. One can die only once. Yet because the danger of death hung over their heads at every moment, and they were joyfully ready for death, they clearly offered to God in their hearts the sacrifice of death every moment. This was accepted as an actual sacrifice of death.

“Since, as men, they cannot endure countless deaths, he proves that the rewards will in no way be lessened because of this. Although by the natural lot a man can die only once, God has granted us the possibility, if we wish, to die daily by our will. From this it is clear that, when we depart from here, we shall have as many crowns as the days we have lived here, or even more. For in one day one can die once, twice, and many times. Whoever is ready for this always receives the perfect reward. The Prophet understood this when he said, ‘all the day long.’ The Apostle cited his words in order to rouse his hearers all the more. If those of the Old Testament, who had as the reward of their labors the earth and what passes away with the present life, despised the present life, temptations, and afflictions so greatly, what excuse shall we have? We have as our reward heaven, the Kingdom on high, and ineffable blessings. What excuse shall we have if we grow faint in spirit and do not reach even the measure attained by those of the Old Testament? Although the Apostle did not say this openly, being content with the testimony alone, he clearly gave it to the consciences of his hearers to understand,” says St. Chrysostom.

“We were counted as sheep for the slaughter.” Sheep for slaughter cannot defend themselves, and it does not occur to others to defend them. Everyone thinks that this is how it should be for them, and that in it lies great honor for them. Applying this to himself, the Apostle speaks as if saying, “We see and know this, and we glory in it. Not only do we not resist, but we ourselves willingly hand ourselves over to slaughter.”

“He proves that their bodies are a sacrifice, and that they are not afraid or troubled, because God Himself is their Rewarder. Do you see the courage and meekness? As sheep do not resist when they are slaughtered, so also we, says Paul. But since human reason, in its weakness, could fear the multitude of temptations even after so many examples, see how the Apostle again raises, exalts, and carries the hearer upward, saying...”