Romans 8:37Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Everywhere we raise monuments of victory over our enemies, not only when we actually suffer, but even when we merely prepare the soul for this. And this is most just, because God fights with us. Therefore believe that when we are beaten, we overcome those who inflict the blows. When we are driven out, we conquer the persecutors. When we die, we strike down the living.

When you take into account God’s power and love, you will see that there is no obstacle to such wondrous and extraordinary deeds taking place, nor to the extraordinary shining forth of victory. The apostles did not simply conquer, but did so with many wonders. Thus one could understand that their battle against those who plotted was not against men, but against that unconquerable power.

See how the Jews, having surrounded them, are perplexed and say, “What shall we do with these men?” (Acts 4:16). What is wondrous is that those who detained them and demanded an account, binding them and subjecting them to beating, were perplexed and in difficulty. They were conquered by those whom they hoped to conquer. Neither tormentor, nor executioners, nor hosts of demons, nor the devil himself could conquer them. On the contrary, all of them were utterly conquered, and they saw that everything they had plotted against them turned to the apostles’ benefit. Therefore Paul said, “We more than conquer.” This was a new way of victory: to overcome through the opposite, never to be overcome, and to go out to contests as though having the outcome of the battle in one’s own will.

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 our appropriation of the saving justification accomplished by the Son and given through the Holy Spirit. Having in mind the foremost and most chosen Christians, the Apostle says that Christians are already truly filled with 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 mighty readiness for martyrdom.

He calls all Christians not only to steadfastness and courage in afflictions, but also to martyrdom, unconquerable by anything and victorious over all. This remained so even though Christians were led to Rome like sheep to the slaughter.

They were led to be torn apart by the powerful claws of enraged tigers and lions. These beasts were 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 St. John Chrysostom, "whose reward for their labors was the earth and what passes away with this present life, so despised the present life, trials, and calamities, what excuse shall we have?"

"We have heaven as our reward, the kingdom on high, and ineffable good things. What excuse shall we have if we grow faint in spirit and do not attain the same measure reached by those of the Old Testament?"

"Therefore do not lose faith that, when we are beaten, we overcome those who beat us. When we are driven out, we hold our persecutors in our power. When we die, we strike the living... The Apostles not only conquered, but made their victories a wonder..."

As the highest excellence of the life of grace, the Apostle points out that it is wholly 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, seated at the right hand of the Father, He mercifully intercedes for us. He will later judge all, and at last will bestow 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? In God there is for us such an abyss of blessedness that no attachments, no torments, and no powers should halt our striving toward God.

This striving comes through our appropriation of the saving justification accomplished by the Son and given through the Holy Spirit. Having in mind the foremost and most chosen Christians, the Apostle says that Christians are already truly filled with 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 mighty readiness for martyrdom.

He calls all Christians not only to steadfastness and courage in afflictions, but also to martyrdom, unconquerable by anything and victorious over all. This remained so even though Christians were led to Rome like sheep to the slaughter.

They were led to be torn apart by the powerful claws of enraged tigers and lions. These beasts were 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 St. John Chrysostom, "whose reward for their labors was the earth and what passes away with this present life, so despised the present life, trials, and calamities, what excuse shall we have?"

"We have heaven as our reward, the kingdom on high, and ineffable good things. What excuse shall we have if we grow faint in spirit and do not attain the same measure reached by those of the Old Testament?"

"Therefore do not lose faith that, when we are beaten, we overcome those who beat us. When we are driven out, we hold our persecutors in our power. When we die, we strike the living... The Apostles not only conquered, but made their victories a wonder..."

We have given ourselves over to death for Him, “for we judge that nothing is more unfitting than for the Master Christ to accept death for sinners, and for us not to endure slaughter for Him with all joy,” says blessed Theodoret. From this we also draw strength to more than conquer every temptation.

“What is wondrous is that we not only conquer, but conquer by the very means through which they plot against us. And we do not simply conquer, but more than conquer, that is, with complete ease, without labor and sweat. Everywhere we raise monuments of victory over our enemies, not only when we actually suffer, but even when we possess only the ready disposition. This is most just, because God fights with us. Therefore do not lose faith that, when we are beaten, we overcome those who beat us. When we are driven out, we hold our persecutors in our power. When we die, we strike down the living. If you take into account God’s power and love, you will see that there is no obstacle to these wondrous and extraordinary deeds taking place, and to the greatest victory shining forth. The apostles not only conquered, but astonished by their victories. Everyone could see that their battle was not with crafty men alone, but rather with that unconquerable power. See how the Jews, having surrounded them, are perplexed and say, ‘What shall we do with these men?’ (Acts 4:16). What is wondrous is that those who had them in their power, who demanded an account from them, and who had the right to bind and kill them with the sword, were in difficulty. They feared being conquered by those whom they hoped to conquer. Neither tormentor, nor executioner, nor hosts of demons, nor the devil himself could conquer them. On the contrary, all were themselves utterly conquered, and saw their plots turn to the apostles’ benefit. Therefore Paul said, ‘We more than conquer.’ This was a new manner of victory: to overcome by the very things by which enemies thought to overcome, and never to be overcome. It was to go out to battle as though already holding the triumph of victory in one’s own will,” says St. Chrysostom.

Would it not be better to understand the Apostle’s discourse from the words, “Who shall separate us from the love of God?” to the end as speaking specifically of the apostles? Earlier, when setting forth the foundations of hope, he had in mind both the apostles and all believers. But now, when it was necessary to speak of the condition of the immutability of the promises on the believers’ side, namely their faithfulness and love toward God, he offers the example of the apostles instead of exhortation. He paints their firmness in an ecstatic discourse: “Who shall separate us?” The testimony of the psalm also applies more to them, as does this phrase, “we more than conquer.”