Romans 8:34, commentary and pictures

No one can bring a charge or condemnation against God's elect, for God justifies them and Christ answers every accusation with four linked facts, that He died, rose again, is at the right hand of God, and makes intercession for them. His death is an irrefutable argument against condemnation, meeting the claims of the broken law as a perfect offering that paid the debt no angel's life could pay, so that however aggravated the guilt, the repentant who lay hold of His righteousness by faith have blessed hope. He did not remain in the tomb but rose the third day and lives forevermore as an all-powerful Saviour who can save to the utmost, uniting Deity with humanity as merciful High Priest, Elder Brother, and divine Surety. Risen and enthroned, He lives now to intercede with unchanged love, presenting His blood, wounds, suffering and spotless righteousness as incense that purifies defiled human prayers and offerings, bearing each case by name on His breastplate and palms so gracious answers return and no committed case is lost. Therefore even when believers are overcome, unworthy, weak or sick, they are not cast off or left to walk alone, but through His sacrifice, resurrection and advocacy they come to the Father in His name with confidence, are freed from condemnation into peace and joy, and are made more than conquerors over every trial, separation and foe.

Wording and Context

The question who condemns is answered by four linked facts: Christ died, rose again, is at the right hand of God, and makes intercession, so no one can condemn those whom God justifies. His living presence at God's right hand means He intercedes for those who come to God through Him and is able to save them completely. His death, resurrection, and continuing intercession assure believers of God's support and help them stand firm even in discouraging surroundings and hardship. He presents their prayers before God and unites them to His divine-human nature, so no person or evil angel can condemn those who take refuge in Him, and His intercession and power to forgive give contrite people refuge from accusation and help in overcoming evil. They stand beside the Sin-bearer in the light from God's throne.

The verse belongs to the assurance that God is for believers and that since it is God who justifies no charge against them can stand. Having not spared His own Son but delivered Him up for them all, God with Him will freely give them all things, giving all heaven in that one gift. Nothing can separate them from the love of Christ — not tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword, death, life, angels, principalities, powers, things present or to come, height, depth, nor any other creature — and in all these things they are more than conquerors through Him who loved them, held secure in the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This grounds confidence to overcome through Christ's love and to stand firm in difficulty, trial, opposition, suffering, and discouraging circumstances. No one need be satisfied with a poor, weak, starved experience but can reach a high standard and have a deep, rich, abundant experience through persevering effort in cooperating with the divine, becoming a living channel of light filled with all the fullness of God, walking in humility and drawing with Christ in the salvation of souls. This word is what the Lord requires to be studied and learned by all who claim to follow Christ's example while indulging self-gratification, display, and expensive habits of living.

The same merciful Saviour who appointed the temporal cities of refuge has by shedding His own blood provided for transgressors of God's law a sure retreat from the second death, giving complete safety from condemnation. No power can take out of His hands the souls that go to Him for pardon, and those who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before them have strong consolation because there is now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. At the end of the 2300 days He sits with the Father on the throne pleading for the praying people who look to Him, so that light comes from the Father to the Son and from the Son to the praying company. Those who bow, pray, cherish the light and stay with the praying company receive it and rejoice with shining faces, while those who are careless, disinterested, resist or leave it receive nothing. In the time of trouble Satan will accuse God's people before God, pointing to sins they have committed and claiming they deserve exclusion from favor, but their cases have already been decided in the heavenly sanctuary, though he does not know this. The power at work in believers in the severe conflict acts like a refining fire that consumes the dross without consuming the person.

Death and Resurrection

The death spoken of is redemption at a price above all price, the atonement without which salvation would be impossible. It met the claims of the broken law as a perfect offering, paid the debt of sin that no angel's life could pay, and revealed matchless love to be held before sinners to keep them from turning from the love of God. Sin is not infinite, so however aggravated its character and however oppressive the guilt upon the awakened conscience, there is blessed hope for the repentant one that outweighs all discouragement and despair. The sacrifice secured the right to plead for humanity from the beginning to the end of time, so that forgiveness is freely offered to all and whoever accepts it may have peace with God and eternal life, the penitent by faith laying hold of His righteousness as the antidote set against a defective life.

He did not remain in Joseph's new tomb but rose again the third day and lives forevermore. Risen, He ascended on high into the Father's presence, where He lives to make intercession before the Father. He is not dead and locked in the tomb but a living Saviour today, all-powerful to save to the utmost all who believe on the Son of God and to give everlasting life through the meritorious blood of a crucified and risen Saviour.

In dying and rising human life was taken into union with His humanity and Deity combined, and those who take refuge in Him are united to His divine-human nature and stand beside the Sin-bearer in the light from God's throne. He is Elder Brother, Son of God and Son of man, uniting the divine nature whose law was transgressed with Adam's human nature, having left all His glory in heaven to appear on earth as a man and humble Himself as a man. He bore iniquity and scorn, cruelty and suffering and dreadful mental and bodily agony under the weight of the sins of the whole world, and died the cruelest death hung between heaven and earth as a guilty sinner. By His own experience He learned the temptations besetting man so He could help those who are tempted, was tempted as we are yet remained without sin, and sympathizes with the ignorant and those who have gone astray. As merciful and faithful High Priest and divine Surety He pledges believers to God through His own righteousness, having paid the price for their ransom and engaged to perfect His grace in every soul so that man may be complete in Him and He may present to the Father a church without spot or wrinkle.

It is Christ that died is an argument against condemnation that cannot be refuted and to which nothing can be added. To the repentant soul it is Yea and Amen, certain and sure. Christ uses His death to lead the penitent soul upward step by step and to give peace to the mind, while angels guard the penitent, believing soul so that evil angels cannot intrude.

Heavenly Intercession Work

Risen and enthroned, He lives now to intercede as Advocate, Mediator, great High Priest, Representative, Friend, and Intercessor of the church on earth in glorified humanity with unchanged love. His death and resurrection, His place at God's right hand, and His intercession give a mighty basis for faith and confidence to bring requests to the Father in His name. Assurance rests on this present work, not only on past evidence, for Jesus lives and is making intercession now. Those who seek refuge in Him may trust that God's wrath will not fall on them, and His enthronement was marked by the outpouring of the Spirit on the disciples who relied on Him in prayer.

He stands at the altar of incense presenting prayers, desires, confession, praise and thanksgiving, and pleads His blood shed from the foundation of the world, His suffering, crucifixion wounds, wounded hands and feet, merits and spotless righteousness as incense. That pleading purifies defiled human offerings into a wholly acceptable cloud around the mercy seat so that gracious answers return. He bears each case by name, carries the chosen on His breastplate as great High Priest, graven on His palms and bound to His heart of love. He pleads with power even for backsliders and sins against great light, especially for the lowly, oppressed and tried, asks that His church purchased by His blood be kept from falling under temptation, and has never lost a committed case.

He remains sympathetic and understands weakness, does not willingly afflict or grieve, draws the afflicted mind to Himself, and sympathizes with the ignorant, erring, tempted and suffering in a cursed world. He gave His life and blood to buy sinners because He values them highly, purchased believers with precious blood and will not leave those He bought to walk alone. He will not be indifferent when they can barely hold the promises and are too weak, sick or infirm to fight the battle of faith, but they can rest in Him alone as refuge and only hope of eternal life and press petitions to the throne of grace with a clear mind fixed on Him in pain, sickness, sleeplessness and gloom, rejoicing in His love. His presence and continuing sympathy give confidence to bring requests to the Father in His name, linked with the joy received through the Comforter.

He intercedes for those who come to God through Him and receive Him, for saints, helpless sinners who know they cannot save themselves, and even ministers of other churches, and is able to save them completely. Through His atonement He provides an infinite supply of moral power and employs it for those who come, receiving troubled, trembling petitioners with compassion so that divine grace enables even the weakest to overcome. His personal pleading waits for prayers, surrender, penitence and return to allegiance, but delay leaves one under the law's condemnation and lets the enemy triumph. His work still continues at the altar presenting the saints' prayers but will soon end when He places vials of wrath with angels to pour out until all opposed to God's government is consumed. His blood-presenting mediation is distinct from the Holy Spirit, who works hearts to draw out penitence, prayer and praise, and He claimed the Spirit's fullness to be poured out after the patriarchal age in answer to obedient prayer.

Assurance Against Condemnation

No charge and no condemnation can stand against God's elect, for it is the infinite God who justifies, and those who are in Christ, who take refuge in Him and belong to Him, are in complete safety. Christ died for them and in dying revealed a love great enough to die for man, rose again, is at God's right hand, and makes intercession for them. The same merciful Saviour who appointed the temporal cities of refuge has by shedding His own blood provided for transgressors of God's law a sure retreat from the second death, so that no power can take out of His hands the souls that go to Him for pardon. Those who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before them have strong consolation, because there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, their lives are one with Christ and Christ is one with God, their confessed sins are covered by God's promise when believed by humble and contrite faith, and God's wrath will not fall on them. The verse gives anchorage to weak, tempest-tossed souls, lifting them from self-centered disappointment over interrupted plans to the all-absorbing subject of the plan of salvation.

His death, resurrection, place at God's right hand, and intercession answer every accusation brought by Satan, by persons, or by evil angels against those who take refuge in Him. He presents their prayers and heart-longing desires for grace and heavenly endowment before God at the altar of incense, unites them to His divine-human nature, and stands beside the Sin-bearer in the light from God's throne, so no person or evil angel can condemn them. He is the Advocate of matchless love and spotless character through whom the rich promises of God are claimed, having given His life for the world so that everyone who believes will not perish but have eternal life. His intercession is to be pleaded as an argument the accuser cannot overcome, giving ground for dependence, trust, renewed consecration, and sanctifying of soul and body and spirit in His name and through His grace so that words and works are wrought in God and influence wins others to Him, and it prevails with God as the means by which infinite grace is given and stands against condemnation, so that those who exalt themselves and accuse others should instead humble themselves and confess their sins.

Even when believers are overcome by the enemy and by sin, they are not cast off, forsaken, or rejected by God. When Satan tempts the afflicted, infirm, weak, and sick to doubt the Father's love and to feel too unworthy to be acknowledged as God's children or too weak to fight the battle of faith and barely able to hold the promises, the answer is to look to Jesus. Christ gave His life and blood to buy sinners because He values them highly, purchased believers with His precious blood, rose again, and stands at God's right hand pleading for them, so no one can condemn them. He will not leave those He bought to walk alone and will not be indifferent to them, but brings comfort and peace, and because He lives believers also live, with Christ in them and they in Him, kept from falling as they receive Him and are obedient to His will.

The law condemns the sinner and drives him to Christ, and it is God who justifies and pardons the one who enters the door of refuge God opens, though Satan accuses and seeks to destroy. Jesus died for each person to make it possible to keep God's holy, immutable law, filling in with His perfection where they cannot supply it, and is now making atonement to make them one with the Father; He is not dead in Joseph's tomb but has risen from the dead and ascended up on high into the presence of the Father, where He lives to make intercession. By faith the penitent sinner lays hold of Christ's righteousness to be freed from every blemish, for Christ's death and intercession are set against the sinner's defective life as the antidote for sin. Accepting this wonderful salvation by earnest, living faith and perfect confidence gives eternal life in Christ, freedom from perishing as a guilty transgressor, and freedom from woe and condemnation into peace, comfort, hope, and fullness of joy, honoring God by believing His Word implicitly, trusting His love without suspicion, and rejoicing in a living Saviour.

Faith Prayer and Access

His death, resurrection, place at God's right hand, and intercession give a mighty ground of faith for bringing requests to the Father in His name with confidence after His ascension. He remains in sympathy with His followers and stands as their heavenly Representative, Advocate, and Friend at God's throne to support their appeals. The disciples relied on this in ten days of prayer and praise while waiting for the Spirit, and His enthronement was marked by the outpouring of the Spirit upon them, giving Pentecost joy through the Comforter. His presence and continuing sympathy give assurance as petitions are presented to the Father in His name.

Through Him the fallen case is not hopeless, for as Mediator and great High Priest He died and lives to plead the case of fallen people before God, so access to God is made possible despite sin. Clothed in human nature He acts as Advocate and link between God and humanity, bringing believers to God as His sons and daughters accepted in the Beloved. He presents His wounded hands, His sufferings and death upon the cross as perpetual efficacious propitiation, His own merits and ransom blood on their behalf, so the Father accepts His atonement, welcomes Christ's friends as His own, receives petitions with Christ's merits, and gives the riches of grace. His promise not to forsake His own gives confidence to pray in His name, and those who receive Him and call upon His name have their penitent prayers accepted, their sins blotted out, sins cleansed, and the holy oil bestowed. Believers can look to Him for help and trust that strength comes through Him, placing His merits like incense and drawing them close to God.

His sacrifice, resurrection, ascension, and intercession are central parts of the science of salvation to be learned and taught, and the living truth of justification by faith and imputed righteousness. They are to be accepted not as a lifeless dead idea but as the preaching of Jesus Christ, presented in the Spirit and with power so that life-giving power enters the ministry and missionaries give the trumpet no uncertain sound with heaven-sent awakening power. His humiliation, meekness, and lowly life of poverty make every son and daughter of Adam rich, and His work brings sinners to believe on Him whom the Father sent, revealing love, forgiveness, and grace. As divine Surety He has taken human life into union with His humanity and Deity combined, paid the price for ransom, pledged believers to God through His own righteousness, and engaged to perfect His grace in every soul so that man may be complete in Him and He may present a church without spot or wrinkle to the Father, calling believers to faith in God, putting away unbelief, consecration of soul body and spirit, and the highest standard of Christian character.

He is to be claimed by faith as Elder Brother who died, rose again, and is at the right hand of God making intercession for His people. He is to be looked upon by faith as the great antitype and spotless Lamb whose blood is applied to the believer's own heart, bringing life and hope without fear. Beholding Him brings the bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness into the heart with the knowledge of the glory of Jesus Christ and everlasting assurance to fear not, because His life secures the believer's life and He lives forevermore. His risen intercession is a promise that speaks better things for humanity than the blood of Abel, and every heart is to climb by faith to lay hold on that promise. His death is an atoning sacrifice offered in their behalf assured by God's covenant promise to all who come to God through Him, and His resurrection and advocacy give reason not to fear or lose heart when faith brings trials, for He understands weakness and will help, giving hope, strength, courage, and the promise of a place with Him on His throne to those who call on Him.

Comfort and Obedient Living

The verse shows a sympathizing Saviour who does not willingly afflict or grieve, but draws the afflicted mind to Himself and invites those suffering physically and spiritually to come to Him. Because Christ died, rose again, and lives forever at the right hand of God to make intercession, no one can condemn those who belong to Him, and this gives confidence in pain, sickness, sleeplessness and gloom to keep pressing petitions to the throne of grace with a clear mind fixed on Him. He is refuge and only hope of eternal life, who knows every need because He lived as a suffering, tempted man, who cares for each person and intercedes for the tried and tempted, so believers can trust Him and commit their lives to God rather than mourn as though they could save themselves. His continuing intercession brings comfort and hope and peace, and because He lives believers also live, with Christ in them and they in Him, giving reason to rejoice in His love and find inward sunshine and cheerful praise.

His death, resurrection, place at God's right hand, and intercession answer condemnation for those God justifies and assure God's support, grounding firm standing even amid discouraging surroundings, hardship, difficulty, trial, opposition and suffering that cannot separate from Christ's love. In the face of persecution for Christ, believers can endure and overcome through Christ's love rather than their own strength, because God is for them and no charge can defeat them. He died to make a way of escape and lives today to intercede so believers may be exalted to His own right hand, with provision made and help laid upon One who is mighty, so they need not be discouraged or faint-hearted when beset by temptations and the wily foe but should have hope in God. While traveling the narrow way they can through Him be more than a match for the powers of darkness, principalities and powers, and the opposition of foes, and can conquer, with security in peril though Satan resists.

Because He lives and bears each case by name before the Father, the religious life is to have peace, happiness and attractive joy instead of rigorous gloom and Pharisaism with no Saviour in it, cultivating joy that testifies to a risen, living Jesus. Faith looks to Him as Mediator at God's right hand beyond present burdens and cares, trusting what is now perplexing will be made plain and looking forward to the home He prepares, the reward of the overcomer, and the song of the redeemed. Fellowship with the living Christ draws the mind toward Him and inspires true worship and sanctification, and His love and continuing help give hope, strength and courage through trials with promise of a place with Him on His throne for those who call on Him. His resurrection and advocacy mean believers need not fear or lose heart when faith brings trials, for Christ understands weakness and will help by covenant promise all who come to God through Him, and they must not trifle with their souls and Saviour but carry out the teaching by practice, believing in Him for salvation and casting helpless souls upon Him for grace, righteousness, peace and love. Those walking in shadow must walk in harmony, put away complaint, live for immortality with hope-filled speech, not trifle but grow in grace through fellowship.

Those who fall on the Rock and are broken can be made new by Jesus and molded into vessels of honor, becoming disciples who copy His works, possess His love and a heart filled with gratitude, and devote entire life to Him in work, suffering and self-denial. His present work at the altar of incense presenting prayers and heart-longing desires for grace and heavenly endowment is to be pleaded as an argument the accuser cannot overcome, giving ground for dependence, trust and renewed consecration, leading those who plead it to sanctify soul and body and spirit in His name and through His grace so words and works are wrought in God and influence wins others to Him. As divine Surety He pledges believers to God through His own righteousness, having paid the ransom price and engaged to perfect grace in every soul so man may be complete in Him and He may present a church without spot or wrinkle, calling believers to have faith, put away unbelief, consecrate soul body and spirit, and reach the highest standard of character. Because He died and rose and intercedes so nothing can stand against those God is for, and neither tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword, death, life, angels, principalities, powers, things present or to come, height, depth, nor any other creature can separate from God's love in Christ, there is reason for courage, faithful work and patient trust. That same Jesus continues as Saviour with glorified humanity and no cessation of love, having loved the world with infinite love in giving His precious life as the Father's only begotten, and His loving, dying, risen, interceding life calls believers to cultivate that same love toward one another and be like Jesus, living not unto themselves but unto Him in humility, meekness, self-denial and self-surrender in harmony with sacred truth of heavenly origin.

Seeing by faith the Lamb slain pleading calls for solemn preparation without trifling talk, and for active earnest soul-winning as branches of the Vine setting forth the crucified, risen, interceding Christ. When God gave His only begotten Son He gave all heaven in that one gift and will with Him freely give all things, so no one need be satisfied with a poor, weak, starved experience but can reach a high standard and have a deep, rich, abundant experience through persevering cooperation with the divine, becoming a living channel of light filled with all fullness, walking in humility and drawing with Christ in saving souls. He leads all willing to be led upward step by step in the light of righteousness where the clear light of the Sun of Righteousness shines, and His intercessions prevail with power to take away sins and keep from falling those obedient to His will, to whom He gives power to become sons of God. After dying and rising He intercedes before the Father for His church, pleading the sacrifice of the cross so they may be kept from falling under temptation, teaching the true science of Christ within, presenting truth positively with love to save opposers and beat back darkness, bearing others' cases to Jesus as He bears ours, helping the tempted as He sympathizes, seeking other shepherds with prayer and interest, and proclaiming a salvation that converts daily, supplies every emergency, and fits for every trial.