Romans 8 Study Guide … · Canyon Bible Church of Verde Valley | Romans 8 Study Guide [7] Week 2: Romans 8:5-8 (1) Look back on your notes for verses 1-4.Also look ahead to verses

Romans 8 Study Guide

Copyright © 2001, Thomas C. Pinckney. This data file is the sole

property of Thomas C. Pinckney. Please feel free to copy it, but for

circulation freely without charge.

Revised by Mark Stafford for Canyon Bible Church of Verde Valley in

July, 2015

Visit http://www.expository.org/romans8.htm to see the original study

guide;

This data file in its original or modified form may not be copied for

resale or incorporated in any commercial publications, or other products

offered for sale, without the written permission of Thomas C. Pinckney,

c/o Desiring God Community Church, Box 620099, Charlotte NC 28262.

http://expository.org/romans8.htm

http://www.desiringgodchurch.org/

Canyon Bible Church of Verde Valley | Romans 8 Study Guide

[2]

Week 1: Romans 7:24-8:4 Read 6:15 to 8:11 several times before answering these questions. Look

at the translation notes below.

1) Why is Paul wretched in 7:24?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What is he referring to when he says “this death”?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

2) Why does Paul thank God in 7:25?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

3) See the translation notes on 7:25. How is this verse related to the

theme of slavery found in 6:14-7:6?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

4) Paul has not used the word “condemnation” since 5:18. Why does he

bring it up in 8:1?


[3]

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What is the link between this statement and the verses at the end of

chapter 7?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

5) What does being “in Christ Jesus” have to do with our not being

condemned? See 3:24, 6:11, 6:23.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Note: Verse 3 again begins with “For.” So we should expect a logical ground for verse 2. Note that verses 3 and 4 are one sentence in Greek, so the two verses together provide the ground. Here is a literal but awkward translation of verse 3:

“For the impossibility of the law in that it was weakened by the flesh, God condemned sin in the flesh, sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin”

Clearly, all English translations must add words – Paul evidently leaves some words out because he thinks it’s so clear to the readers what those words should be!


[4]

6) What is it that the Law could not do?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What does God sending his Son in the “likeness of sinful flesh” and “for

sin” have to do with this powerlessness of the Law?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

7) Challenge Question: In what sense did God “condemn sin in the

flesh”?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Doesn’t chapter 7 teach that sin is alive and well, even in believers? Can

you explain how God condemns sin in the flesh and how sin is still

present in believers?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

8) Verse 4 begins “in order that.” Thus, verse 4 provides the purpose for

some statement in verse 3. Which statement does it refer to: God

sending His Son, or God condemning sin (or both)?


[5]

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

9) What “righteous requirement” of the Law is fulfilled in us?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How is it fulfilled?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Does the verse mean, “By walking according to the Spirit we fulfill the

righteous requirement of the Law”? Why, or why not?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

10) Now, once again consider: Why does Paul break out in praise to God

in 7:25?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[6]

Why is this important for you and me, both as we live the Christian life

and stand alongside of others?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

This week’s translation notes: 7:24 Whether the word "this" modifies "body" or "death" is ambiguous in Greek; compare the NAS to the ESV and NIV.

7:25 NAS has “serving the law of God”; NIV’s rendering “am a slave to the law of God” is helpful, bringing out an important connotation of the Greek word. But note the NIV’s use of “sinful nature” for “flesh.”

8:1 The Greek emphasizes the word “no.”

8:2 (a) NAS “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” is much more literal than the NIV rendering.

(b) NIV has “set me free”, NAS “set you free.” This is a textual problem in the Greek manuscripts – some manuscripts have ‘me’, some ‘you’. Do note, however, that there is no impersonal ‘you’ in Greek; when Paul uses “you,” he is referring to the readers of his letter.

ESV: 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set me free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.


[7]

Week 2: Romans 8:5-8 (1) Look back on your notes for verses 1-4. Also look ahead to

verses 9 to 11. What purpose do verses 5-8 serve in the flow of Paul’s

argument?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

(2) Note: This section abounds in the word “for”. See the translation

notes. Recall that “for” introduces a ground, or reason why the

preceding proposition is true.

Specifically, what thought from the previous 4 verses is Paul grounding

in verse 5?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

(3) What groups of people is Paul talking about in verse 5?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How do they relate to groups of people discussed in verse 4?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[8]

Which of these is the same as the group of people discussed in verse 1?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Do you think Paul is talking about two distinct groups of people, or could

the same person switch back and forth between being “according to the

flesh” and “according to the Spirit”?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What in this passage leads you to that answer?

___________________________________________________________________________________

(4) Again, “for” introduces verse 6. What thought in verse 5 is grounded

here?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

EXPLORE THE TEXT: Look back over 6:14 to 8:5. Pick out the verses

that refer to death. Use these verses to help explain what Paul

means by “the mind set on the flesh is death.”


[9]

(8) APPLICATION: Think hard about these four verses, 8:5-8. From

your own life or the lives of people you know, reflect on the hostility

toward God of the mind set on the flesh. What examples can you think

of?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Does this help you to understand verse 8? What hope is there for those

with minds set on the flesh?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Think again about question 1 and modify your answer if necessary.

Translation notes: The NIV is very loose on verses 5-8; it provides a plausible interpretation of the text, but it really is an interpretation here, not a translation. I strongly recommend for these verses that you work from the NAS or ESV (or King James, for that matter).

Verses 5 to 7: Note the connecting words: “for” (gar in Greek) and “because” (dioti in Greek). These are key to understanding the passage, yet are awkward to translate into English because there are so many of them! The NAS is most faithful to the original here, putting “for” at the beginning of verses 5 and 6, “because” at the beginning of verse 7, and “for” two more times in verse 7.

Verse 7: The beginning of the verse reads, literally, “Because the mind of the flesh is hostility unto God;” or “Because the fleshly thought is hostility unto God.”


[10]

ESV, Romans 8:5-8: 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.


[11]

Week 3: Romans 8:9-11 Look back on your notes for verses 1-8. Also look ahead to verses

12 to 17. Remind yourself of the purpose served by verses 5-8 in

the flow of Paul’s argument.

(1) What statement did Paul make in verse 4?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

_How do verses 5-8 support that statement?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Given those answers, what purpose do verses 9-11 serve in the flow of

Paul’s argument?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Note: There are four conditional statements in verses 9 to 11; indeed, the three

verses consist of nothing other than conditional statements. We usually

think of conditional statements as “if . . . then” statements: that is, the

word “if” followed by a condition; then the word “then,” followed by a

consequence of the condition. Paul doesn’t follow that word order here,


[12]

and is not consistent in the word order he uses. To make the statements

clearer, write out these four conditions and their consequences.

(2) In verse 9, why does Paul call the Spirit the “Spirit of God” one time

and the “Spirit of Christ” another?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What does this imply about Jesus?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

(3) In verse 10, in what sense is the body dead?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What does this verse say about sin in the life of believers?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[13]

(4) Read verse 10. Whose spirit is alive because of righteousness?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Where in this passage have we encountered the concept of

righteousness before? (hint: see the translation notes for verses 1-4).

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________I

n what sense is the spirit alive because of righteousness?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

(5) In verse 11, who is said to have raised Jesus from the dead?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

_Who will give life to your mortal bodies?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[14]

What is the role of the Spirit?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Look at Romans 6:1-13, and see the translation notes below for additional

insights.

(6) APPLICATION: A friend comes to you and says: “I accepted Christ as

my Savior 10 years ago, but I have been caught up in this terrible sin. Am

I really saved?” After your study of these verses, and in light of Romans 6

and 7, what do you say to your friend?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Translation notes: The NIV continues its loose, interpretive translation through the first sentence of verse 9, but in the rest of this section it is fine.

Verse 9: Greek has different ways to state a conditional statement. The following paraphrase helps to communicate the sense of the condition here: “Doesn’t the Spirit of God dwell in you? Then you are not in the flesh (and thus unable to please God), but in the Spirit!”

The last phrase in the verse reads literally, “this one is not his.”

Verse 11: NAS begins this verse with “but”, NIV with “and,” ESV with no conjunction at all. All three are possible translations for this Greek conjunction. Think about which translation makes the most sense, given the thoughts before and after.

ESV, Romans 8:9-11 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of


[15]

Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.


[16]

Week 4: Romans 8:12-13 1) Read over 7:24 to 8:17 several times. Remind yourself of our

earlier discussions. Summarize in one or two sentences the point Paul

makes in 12-17?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What title would you put on this section? (Note: just because a title is

found in your Bible does not make it descriptive or accurate – the titles

are not inspired!)

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

2) Verse 12 begins with “So then.” That is, this verse is an implication of

what comes before. How do verses 9 to 11 provide support for the

statement in verse 12?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What kind of obligation is Paul talking about?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[17]

3) Verse 13 begins with “for,” so it provides a logical ground for something

in the previous verse. What thought in verse 12 is grounded in verse 13?

(Or, to put it another way, what question based on verse 12 is being

answered in verse 13?)

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

4) When Paul uses the word “you” he is speaking of someone reading the

letter (there is no “impersonal you” in Greek.) What does “living according

to the flesh” correspond to in earlier verses?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

See in particular verse 4, and remember that “walk” is frequently used for

“live” in the Hebrew language (see, for example, Psalm 1:1).

5) The words translated “you must die” in the NAS can also be translated

“you will die” (NIV, ESV), “you are going to die,” or “you are about to

die.” On the other hand, there is no ambiguity concerning the translation

of the last words in the verse, “you will live.” Taking into account verses 4-

6, what is Paul saying in the first part of verse 13?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[18]

What type of death is he talking about?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

6) Paul contrasts “living according to the flesh” with “by the Spirit putting

to death the misdeeds of the body.” What did he contrast with “walking

according to the flesh” in verse 4?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Does Paul here say that the opposite of “living according to the flesh” is

living a perfect life? Explain.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

8) APPLICATION: How do we go about putting to death the deeds of the

body by the Spirit?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[19]

Who puts to death the deeds of the body?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What instrument does this person use?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What is he putting to death?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Reflect on this in your own life and in the life of others.

Translation notes: The words “flesh,” “body,” “death,” and “dead” appear 19 times in 7:24-8:13 (15 verses); they only appear 3 times in 8:14-39 (26 verses: see 23, 36, and 38), and even those three times are in much different contexts. Paul is moving away now from the question that he has focused on, the relation between sinning and being saved. So try to sum up what he teaches by supposing two friends named Guilt-ridden and Not-worry come to you. Guilt-ridden asks, “I committed this terrible sin yesterday! I don’t know if I’m saved!” Not-worry says, “Oh, don’t worry about that! Sin doesn’t matter! There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! Never worry about sin!”

End

ESV: 12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are


[20]

led by the Spirit of God are sons2 of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

http://shop.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/GoodNews.storefront/3aae4ef70a90e831271aac141001067b/Product/View/#footnotetext


[21]

Week 5: Romans 8:14-17a 1) Read 8:1-17 several times; look over the earlier preparation

guides, particularly the one for 8:12-13. Recall our discussion of

verses 12 and 13. What is the purpose of verses 12 to 17 in Paul’s

argument?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What topics does Paul draw to a close in verse 13?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What title did you give to this section last week? Do you still want to use

the same title?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

2) Verse 14 begins with our favorite word, “For”, implying that this verse

provides a logical ground for something that precedes it. The statement

in verse 14 grounds what idea from verses 12 and 13?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[22]

Note: To interpret verse 14 properly, you need to understand the difference

between an action by an agent and an action by an instrument. Think of

the difference between saying, “The schoolchildren were led by their

teacher into the cafeteria,” and saying, “The schoolchildren were led by

hand into the cafeteria.”

In the first sentence, the teacher is the agent, the one leading; in the

second, the agent is not stated; the “hand” is the instrument by which the

children are led. Verse 14 includes this phrase: “all who are led by the

Spirit of God”. The English phrase is ambiguous; the Spirit could be the

one doing the leading (the agent), or the Spirit could be the instrument

by which we are led. But the Greek grammar strongly suggests that the

Spirit is the instrument by which we are led, not the agent leading us.

(3) If the note above is the case, who is the agent? Who leads us?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How then is the Spirit used as a means of leading us?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[23]

4) Verse 15 begins with another “For”. How does this verse ground the

preceding one?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What is the “spirit of fear” Paul talks about?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Fear of what?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

And what type of slavery does this fear lead to?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Consider Hebrews 2:14-15. Is the author of Hebrews talking about the

same type of fear and slavery?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[24]

5) What words are used in verses 15 to 17 to describe our relationship

to God?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How do these words differ from “a spirit of fear leading to slavery”?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

APPLICATION:

If you the Spirit of God dwells in you, then all these words apply to

you! Write this out in first person, including what the words imply: “I am

a . . .”

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Remember that “Abba” means “Daddy.” Consider these other references

as you write

(there are many, but this is really rich imagery!):

Adoption: Romans 8:23, 9:4, Gal 4:5, Eph 1:5.


[25]

Children: John. 1:12, 11:52, Acts 17:29, Rom.8:21, 9:8, Phil. 2:15, 1 John.

3:1-2, 3:10, 5:2.

Heirs or inheritance: Mat 5:5, Mat 19:29, 25:34, Mark 10:17, Acts 20:32,

26:18, Rom. 4:13-14, 1 Cor 6:9-11, 15:50-53, Gal 3:18, 3:29, 5:19-23, Eph

1:11-18, 3:6, 5:5, Col 1:12, 3:18, Tit. 3:7, Heb 1:14, 6:11-17, 9:15, 11:8-9, Jas.

2:5, I Peter 1:3,4, Rev 21:6-8.

6) Reflect on the first part of verse 17 (we’ll look at the second half next

week with verses 18ff). Who is a joint heir with Christ?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What will Christ inherit?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Why is this important?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[26]

7) APPLICATION: Now reflect on verses 12-17 as a whole. What role

should the ideas in this passage play in the life of believers?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How can you use these truths in your life?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How can you use them to help fellow believers?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Translation Notes ESV. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.


[27]

Week 6: Romans 8:17b-22 1) Read Romans 8:1-30 several times. Recall our discussion of the

earlier sections. Now focus on verses 18 to 22. What is the purpose of

this section in Paul’s argument?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What title would you give to these 5 verses?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

2) Look for the terms “glory” and “glorified” in verses 17 to 30. How

often do they appear?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

These words are common in the New Testament, appearing in more than

200 verses. Here are the verses within Romans, outside of chapter 8:

Romans 1:21, 1:23, 2:7, 2:10, 3:7, 3:23, 4:20, 5:2, 6:4, 9:4, 9:23, 11:13,

11:36, 15:6, 15:7, 15:9, 16:27.


[28]

Given the way the words are used, how would you define these two

words?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

3) Why does Paul link suffering with glory in verses 17 and 18?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________I

ndeed, verse 17 says, “we suffer in order that we may also be glorified.”

Consider Luke 24:26, Hebrews 2:9-10, 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, and 1 Peter

4:12-5:11.

4) Verses 18 to 22 once again present us with a series of statements

beginning with our favorite word, “for:” Verse 18, 19, 20-21, and 22. (The

NIV, unfortunately, leaves out three of these; look at the ESV translation

below.) Recall our discussion of verses 1-8. For each “for,” try to think of a

question that is answered by the statement after the “for.”

What is the main idea that Paul is supporting with these five verses?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[29]

What is the gist of Paul’s argument?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

5) In verse 19, what does the phrase “the revealing of the sons of God”

mean?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Has this already occurred?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How do you know?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Who is waiting for this revealing to happen?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[30]

In what sense can we say that creation “waits eagerly”?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

6) In verses 20 and 21, in what sense is creation subject to futility or

frustration?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How does verse 21 (“bondage to decay” or “slavery to corruption”) help

you understand this?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Who subjected the creation to this futility? Why? (Hint: Paul doesn’t tell

us in this verse. See Genesis 3, particularly verse 17).

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[31]

What is the hope of creation?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

7) The NIV’s translation of the end of verse 21, “glorious freedom of the

children of God,” probably communicates the sense of the Greek text better

than the ESV and NAS translations. In what sense are the children of God

free?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

As you consider this question, look back over 7:24 to 8:17 and identify

the images of slavery, bondage, and freedom. Why is this freedom

glorious?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Make sure your answer to this question is consistent with your answer to

question 2.

8) Verse 22 asserts that we know something; what do we know?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[32]

Do you know this?

___________________________________________________________________________________

What does Paul mean by saying that the creation suffers pains?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What is the creation about to give birth to?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

9) Now reflect on verses 18-22 as a whole. Look again at your answer to

question 4, and modify it if necessary. What role should the ideas in this

passage play in the life of believers?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

_How can you use these truths in your life?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[33]

How can you use them to help fellow believers?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Notes: ESV. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.


[34]

Week 7: Romans 8:23-25 1) Read Romans 8:1-30 several times. Recall our discussion of the

earlier sections. Now focus on verses 23 to 25. What is the purpose of

this section in Paul’s argument?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What title would you give to these 3 verses?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How do these verses relate to verses 17 and 18?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

2) In verse 23, there is a strong emphasis in the original language on “we

ourselves.” The verb “wait eagerly” is repeated from verse 19; the verb

“groan” is repeated (after losing a prefix meaning “together”) from verse

22.

What was “groaning” and “waiting eagerly” in the earlier verses?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[35]

How is our groaning and waiting similar?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How is it different?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

3) In verses 9 and 11 Paul has made very clear that unless we have the

Spirit we are not in Christ. Why then in verse 23 does Paul use the clause

“who have the first fruits of the Spirit”?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

In what sense do we have only the first fruits?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Why is that sense important in this verse?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[36]

4) What does Paul mean by the redemption (or liberation) of our bodies?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What have we learned about our bodies earlier in this chapter?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What is in store for us? See 1 John 3:1,2.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

5) Verse 24 begins, “For in this hope we were saved.” What hope, or

expectation, is Paul talking about?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What does it mean to be saved “in hope”?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[37]

6) In what sense do we not hope for what we see?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Can you think of something that you have seen that you hope for?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How is Paul using the words “see” and “hope” in these verse?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Notes: Verse 25 includes another “if – then” conditional statement. As we have

discussed earlier, we can translate this, “Don’t we hope for what you do

not see? (Implied, ‘Yes!’) Then we wait for it with endurance!” Explain

how the “then-statement” follows from the “if-statement.” The final word

can be translated “endurance” or “patience.”


[38]

7) APPLICATION: Look again at your answer to question 1 and revise it.

How can you use these 3 verses to help brothers and sisters who are

going through suffering?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Notes: ESV 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.


[39]

Week 8: Romans 8:26-27 1) Read Romans 8:1-30 several times, then focus in on 18-27. Recall

our discussions of 18-25; you may want to look over the questions we’ve

addressed on those verses.

Now focus on the transition from verse 25 to 26. Verse 26 begins with a

word that means “likewise” or “similarly” or “in the same manner.”

How is the Spirit helping us in our weakness similar to an idea found in

the earlier verses?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

2) Given the second half of verse 26, what does the phrase “our

weakness” refer to?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

3) Our favorite word “for” appears in the middle of verse 26 (if you’re

using the NIV, write in “For” immediately prior to “we do not know”).

How does the second half of the verse support the idea in the first half?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

4) What is it that we do not know? (The phrase can be translated literally

either as “how to pray as is right” or “what to pray for as is right.”)


[40]

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Given the context of verses 18 to 28, what does Paul mean by this

phrase?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

ILLUSTRATION: Think of examples from your own life.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

5) How does the Spirit interceding for us with inexpressible groans help

us?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[41]

6) In verse 27, who searches our hearts (the Greek text only tells us that

he is masculine)? Consider Luke 16:15, Acts 1:24, Rev 2:23, Jeremiah

17:10, Psalm 139:23, 1 Chronicles 28:9. Why does Paul include this

phrase, “who searches our hearts”?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Why is it important to his argument?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

7) Note: The next phrase is literally “knows what the mindset of the

spirit is”. The word “spirit” could be lower case or upper case (every

English translation I looked at uses upper case). The phrase “mindset of

the spirit” is identical in Greek to a phrase that we examined in 8:6,

where it was translated “the mind controlled by the Spirit” or “the mind

set on the Spirit”.

Why is it important that “he who searches our hearts knows what the

mindset of the spirit is”?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[42]

8) In the last phrase, who are the saints? Look at Romans 1:7, where Paul

addresses his letter.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

9) We’ve looked at a lot of trees; now try to picture the forest.

Paraphrase these verses, in your own words writing out what they

mean. Keep in mind our discussion of the earlier verses.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

10) APPLICATION: These two verses are part of a longer section on

suffering. How are these verses helpful to those who are suffering?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[43]

How can they help you when ministering to suffering people?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Notes ESV 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know

what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with

groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what

is the mind of the Spirit, because3 the Spirit intercedes for the saints

according to the will of God.



[44]

Week 9: Romans 8:28

Notes: First, some notes on translation: Because of a couple of strange rules in

Greek, grammatically it is impossible to tell in 8:28 whether “all things”

is the subject or the object of “works together.” So we can translate the

main clause as, “And we know that He works all things together for

good” (with the clear implication that “He” is God) or “And we knew that

all things work together for good.” Both translations clearly state that

God is sovereign, so I don’t think the choice makes much difference.

1) With that in view, read Romans 8:17-39 several times. Recall our

discussions of 18-27; you may want to look over those preparation

guides. What purpose does 8:28 serve in the longer passage?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

2) How many things work together for good? Is there anything that

happens that does not work for the good of the people of God?

3) Recall that the chapter begins with Paul saying there is no

condemnation for a group of people. And then he defines the group of

people in two ways: those who are “in Christ Jesus” and those who “walk

not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Paul does something

similar here: he defines the group for whom all things work together for

good in two ways.


[45]

What are the two ways?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What attitude does this group have towards God?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What has God done for them? How can both be true? (You might find

Deuteronomy 30:6 helpful. In that verse, what is the equivalent of the call?

What leads to the people loving God?)

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

4) What does Paul mean by “called according to His purpose”?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[46]

The Bible sometimes uses the word “called” to mean the general gospel

invitation given to all (Matthew 22:14, Proverbs 9:1-5), and sometimes to

mean only those who are effectually called, those who become God’s

people (Romans 1:6-7, 1 Corinthians 1:23-24). Which meaning is used

here?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Think more about this: What is the difference between a “call” I give to

my cat: “Here, Kitty-kitty! Madison, come inside!” and the call Jesus gave

to Lazarus: “Lazarus, come forth!” Which type of call is in view in this

verse?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

5) Why does Paul add the words “according to His purpose”?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How do these words help us to answer question 6?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[47]

6) What does Paul mean by “good”?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________I

n what sense are all things working together for good for the called?

Does it mean that we will not have sufferings, trials, or pain? Does it

mean we won’t die in tragic accidents, or as a result of war? Look back at

verses 18 to 27 and ahead to verses 29 and 39 in answering this. Notice

that verse 29 begins with “For,” so verses 29-30 provide a logical ground

for verse 28. What insight does this ground give us into the meaning of

“good”? See also Rom 5:3-5, Gen 50:20 (reflect on the story of Joseph and

his brothers), Deut 8:3, 2 Cor 4:7-17, Phil 1:20-21, 2 Thess 1:4-5, 2 Tim 3:6-

12, 4:6-8, James 1:2-4, 1 Pet 1:6-10, 5:8-10.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[48]

7) APPLICATION: Paraphrase this verse in a way that brings out the

important points.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What are the implications of this verse for how we live?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Consider: doing things that make others think well of us; trying to put

others down; storing up assets so we will have security. How can we

effectively use this verse – and, indeed, the entire passage – with those

who are suffering, without belittling the depth of their pain?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

ESV: 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,4 for those who are called according to his purpose.



[49]

Week 10: Romans 8:29-30 1) Read Romans 8:17 to 39 several times. Remind yourself of our

earlier discussions: What is the major question addressed in 8:17-30?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What are the three answers Paul has already given to this question (in

verses 18-22, 23-25, 26-27)?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How has he begun to give a fourth answer in 8:28?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

2) In verses 29 and 30 Paul makes five statements with God as the

subject and His people as the object. List these five statements.

1.

2.

3.


[50]

4.

5.

Are the five statements sequential in time?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

3) Verse 29 begins once again with our favorite word, “For”. So these

two verses are a logical ground for verse 28, explaining why that verse is

true. You might suppose someone, hearing verse 28, asks, “How do we

know that all things work together for good for those who are called by

God?” How do verses 29 and 30 answer that question?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What is the big picture here? What type of good does Paul focus on?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[51]

How is that helpful to people caught in the midst of present suffering? It

might be helpful to look ahead to verse 32 as you write your answer.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

4) Verse 29 says God’s people are predestined to what?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What does this phrase mean?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How does this relate to our present suffering? Look back at verse 17, as

well as 2 Corinthians 3:18 and 4:17 (indeed, the entire passage in 2

Corinthians is helpful).

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[52]

5) What is God’s purpose in conforming us to Christ’s image?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How does this relate to the theme of the passage (look back at verses 16

and 17)?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

6) The Greek of verse 30 emphasizes that exactly the same ones whom God

predestines to be conformed to the image of Christ are also called, justified,

and glorified; not one is lost along the way. Why is this a comfort to those

who experience suffering?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

7) We looked at calling last week (see the preparation guide). Why does

Paul put calling after being predestined to conformity to the likeness of

Christ?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[53]

Why does he put it before being justified?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

8) What is justification? See Romans 4:6-7, 5:9, 5:19, and 2 Corinthians

5:21.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Why does Paul put justification between calling and being glorified?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

9) What is glorification? See Philippians 3:20-21 and 1 Corinthians

15:42-43.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Why is it last?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[54]

10) Someone might read 8:30 and say: “I need not obey God; if I’m saved,

my glorification is already assured!” Why is that an incorrect inference?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Look back at Romans 8:1-13, and recall our discussions. Look also at

Hebrews 5:9 and 12:14 as well as 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Galatians

5:21. Given these verses, how can Paul be so sure that the justified will

be glorified?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Mightn’t a Christian who has received Christ rebel, live a life of sin – and

thus not inherit the kingdom of God? How does Ezekiel 36:27 help you to

answer this question?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[55]

11) APPLICATION: Pretend that a Christian friend of yours is suffering

from both bereavement and illness, and has written you a letter showing

that he/she is quite depressed. Using the truths that we have seen in

Romans 8:18-30, reply to your friend’s letter.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Notes: ESV 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Oh, friends, marvel, marvel, marvel at these verses!


[56]

Week 11: Romans 8:31-34

1) Read all of Romans 8, and recall the structure of the first 30 verses.

What was Paul’s major theme in verses 1 to 13?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What was his major theme in verses 17 to 30?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What is Paul doing in verses 31 to 39?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What relationship do these verses have to the rest of the chapter?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

2) In verse 31, what are “these things”?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[57]

3) In verse 31, is the answer to the second question “no one”? Remember,

if you say “no one” the answer must hold for Paul, as well as all those

through the years who have suffered and died for their faith.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Name those people and powers who opposed Paul.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Name those who oppose you.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Name those who don’t know you personally but oppose the gospel

today.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Are these opponents insignificant?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[58]

Given these thoughts, fashion a response to verse 31 by one of Paul’s

readers who is suffering persecution.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

4) What is the logic of verse 32? That is, what does the first half of the

verse (God not sparing Jesus but delivering Him over to death for us)

have to do with the second half of the verse (God freely giving us all

things with Jesus)?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[59]

5) How then does verse 32 answer the question you fashioned in your

answer to (3) above? John Piper calls this the most precious verse in the

most precious chapter in the Bible. Why is it so precious?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

6) What does Paul mean by “all things” in verse 32? See verses 28 to 30.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

7) In verse 33, is the answer to the question “no one”? Who might accuse

you of sinning?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

So what comfort is in this verse?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[60]

8) What is the relationship between verses 33-34 and verses 1-13?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Recall our discussion of justification when looking at verses 29 and

30. Note that the first phrase of verse 4 can be translated, “in order that

the just requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us.”

9) What four statements about Jesus does Paul make in verse 34?

1.

2.

3.

4.

What is the relationship between these four statements and the question

that begins the verse?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[61]

10) APPLICATION: Try to paraphrase these verses in a few sentences.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Why are these verses a comfort to those with whom Paul has been

interacting in the earlier sections of the chapter?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Why are they a comfort to you today?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What promises can you hold on to from these verses?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[62]

Why are these important?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

11) Reflect on this entire chapter. What has this study taught you

about sin?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

_About suffering?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

About your relationship to God?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How do these changes in your understanding affect your emotions?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Respond to this chapter in your own personal way. You might want to sing

a song, or write a poem, or draw a picture, or write a letter to a friend.


[63]

Notes ESV 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.


[64]

Week 12: Romans 8:35-39 1) Once again, read all of Romans 8, and remind yourself of the

structure of the chapter. What was Paul’s major theme in verses 1 to

13?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What was his major theme in verses 17 to 30?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What relationship do 31 to 39 have to the rest of the chapter?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What topics has Paul dealt with in verses 31 to 34?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[65]

2) Verse 35 begins by asking “Who” – but then Paul lists not people but

types of difficulties. Why does he begin with “Who”?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

When does Paul finish answering this question?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

3) Here is an expansion of Paul’s list of difficulties, which brings out the

connotations of the Greek words: “outside pressures, difficulties (tight

places) we have to pass through, our being pursued by others trying to

harm us, the lack of food or sustenance, the lack of protection from the

elements, risky situations in which something terrible might happen,

being killed.” Think about these, and how they apply to you and people

you know.

Why might people facing such difficulties think they are separated from

God’s love?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[66]

4) What purpose does verse 36 serve in Paul’s argument?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Why does Paul talk about being sheep set aside for slaughter?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Isn’t this a strange way to bring comfort to those who are suffering?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

5) The quotation in verse 36 is from Psalm 44:22. Read the entire

Psalm. Summarize each of these sections of the Psalm in a sentence:

verses 1-8

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

verses 9-16

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[67]

verses 17-22

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

verses 23-26.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Now think again about your answer to the previous question: Why does

Paul quote this Psalm at the end of Romans 8?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

6) In verse 37, what is Paul referring to by the phrase “in all these

things”?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[68]

7) In 37, Paul is still answering the question, “Who will separate us from

the love of God?”

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What role does God’s love for us play in verse 37?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

8) Why does Paul say that we overwhelmingly conquer (NAS) or that we

are more than conquerors? Why can’t he just say that we conquer?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

In what sense is our victory over “these things” an overwhelming one?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Where have we seen something similar earlier in the chapter?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[69]

9) APPLICATION: Think about the list Paul gives us in verses 38 and

39. List those things that cause you to become fearful.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Are they included in Paul’s list?

___________________________________________________________________________________

A few notes: the word translated “demons” (NIV) or “principalities” (NAS)

is literally “rulers”, but as it is paired with “angels”, the translators are

probably correct that Paul is thinking of evil spirits of some type. “Things

to come” may well include the final judgment. “Height nor depth” may

refer to the taking of horoscopes, and thus include fate, or impersonal

forces.

10) Look back at verse 1. What parallel exists between the first and last

verses of this chapter?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

11) APPLICATION: List the questions Paul asks in 31 to 39, and write

succinct answers to each.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[70]

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What is the bottom line of this chapter?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Why is that important in your own life?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What warning does this chapter include?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

How can you use these truths in shining the light of the gospel on the

lives of others?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________


[71]

Notes ESV 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

"For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."b

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.


Documents

Romans 8 Study Guide … · Canyon Bible Church of Verde Valley | Romans 8 Study Guide [7] Week 2: Romans 8:5-8 (1) Look back on your notes for verses 1-4.Also look ahead to verses