15 The Spirit(A) you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;(B) rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.”(C) 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit(D) that we are God’s children.(E) 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs(F)—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings(G) in order that we may also share in his glory.(H)

Present Suffering and Future Glory

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.(I) 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God(J) to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it,(K) in hope 21 that[c] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay(L) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.(M)

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning(N) as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,(O) groan(P) inwardly as we wait eagerly(Q) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.(R) 24 For in this hope we were saved.(S) But hope that is seen is no hope at all.(T) Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.(U)

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit(V) himself intercedes for us(W) through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts(X) knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes(Y) for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good(Z) of those who love him, who[d] have been called(AA) according to his purpose.(AB) 29 For those God foreknew(AC) he also predestined(AD) to be conformed to the image of his Son,(AE) that he might be the firstborn(AF) among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined,(AG) he also called;(AH) those he called, he also justified;(AI) those he justified, he also glorified.(AJ)

More Than Conquerors

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things?(AK) If God is for us,(AL) who can be against us?(AM) 32 He who did not spare his own Son,(AN) but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge(AO) against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns?(AP) No one. Christ Jesus who died(AQ)—more than that, who was raised to life(AR)—is at the right hand of God(AS) and is also interceding for us.(AT) 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?(AU) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?(AV) 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[e](AW)

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors(AX) through him who loved us.(AY) 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[f] neither the present nor the future,(AZ) nor any powers,(BA) 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God(BB) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(BC)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:15 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture; also in verse 23.
  2. Romans 8:15 Aramaic for father
  3. Romans 8:21 Or subjected it in hope. 21 For
  4. Romans 8:28 Or that all things work together for good to those who love God, who; or that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who
  5. Romans 8:36 Psalm 44:22
  6. Romans 8:38 Or nor heavenly rulers

15 For you (A)have not received a spirit of slavery [a]leading to fear again, but you (B)have received [b]a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “(C)Abba! [c]Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself (D)testifies with our spirit that we are (E)children of God, 17 and if children, (F)heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, (G)if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (H)are not worthy to be compared with the (I)glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the (J)eagerly awaiting creation waits for (K)the revealing of the (L)sons and daughters of God. 20 For the creation (M)was subjected to (N)futility, not willingly, but (O)because of Him who subjected it, [d]in hope 21 that (P)the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation (Q)groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 (R)And not only that, but also we ourselves, having (S)the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves (T)groan within ourselves, (U)waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, (V)the redemption of our body. 24 For (W)in hope we have been saved, but (X)hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But (Y)if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Our Victory in Christ

26 Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for (Z)we do not know what to pray for as we should, but (AA)the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with [e]groanings too deep for words; 27 and (AB)He who searches the hearts knows what (AC)the mind of the Spirit is, because He (AD)intercedes for the [f]saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that [g]God [h]causes (AE)all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are (AF)called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He (AG)foreknew, He also (AH)predestined to become (AI)conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the (AJ)firstborn among many brothers and sisters; 30 and these whom He (AK)predestined, He also (AL)called; and these whom He called, He also (AM)justified; and these whom He justified, He also (AN)glorified.

31 (AO)What then shall we say to these things? (AP)If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who (AQ)did not spare His own Son, but (AR)delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring charges against (AS)God’s elect? (AT)God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who (AU)condemns? Christ Jesus is He who (AV)died, but rather, was [i](AW)raised, who is (AX)at the right hand of God, who also (AY)intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from (AZ)the love of [j]Christ? Will (BA)tribulation, or trouble, or (BB)persecution, or (BC)famine, or (BD)nakedness, or (BE)danger, or sword? 36 Just as it is written:

(BF)For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We were regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly (BG)conquer through (BH)Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither (BI)death, nor life, nor (BJ)angels, nor principalities, nor (BK)things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from (BL)the love of God that is (BM)in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:15 Lit for fear again
  2. Romans 8:15 Or the Spirit
  3. Romans 8:15 Gr translation of the Aramaic Abba provided by Paul
  4. Romans 8:20 Or in hope; because the creation
  5. Romans 8:26 Lit wordless groanings
  6. Romans 8:27 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  7. Romans 8:28 One early ms He; i.e., God
  8. Romans 8:28 Or in all things works together with those...for good
  9. Romans 8:34 One early ms raised from the dead
  10. Romans 8:35 Two early mss God

15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “[a]Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God. 17 And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory.(A)

18 For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us! 19 For [even the whole] creation [all nature] waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration and futility, not willingly [because of some intentional fault on its part], but by the will of Him who subjected it, in hope(B) 21 that the creation itself will also be freed from its bondage to decay [and gain entrance] into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been moaning together as in the pains of childbirth until now.(C) 23 And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit [a joyful indication of the blessings to come], even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for [the sign of] our adoption as sons—the redemption and transformation of our body [at the resurrection].(D) 24 For in this hope we were saved [by faith]. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait eagerly for it with patience and composure.

Our Victory in Christ

26 In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. 27 And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of [b]God’s people in accordance with God’s will.(E)

28 And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers. 30 And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified [declared free of the guilt of sin]; and those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity].

31 What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us?(F) 32 He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect (His chosen ones)? It is God who justifies us [declaring us blameless and putting us in a right relationship with Himself]. 34 Who is the one who condemns us? Christ Jesus is the One who died [to pay our penalty], and more than that, who was raised [from the dead], and who is at the right hand of God interceding [with the Father] for us. 35 Who shall ever separate us from the love of [c]Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 Just as it is written and forever remains written,

For Your sake we are put to death all day long;
We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.”(G)

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. 38 For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:15 An Aramaic word used by young children when addressing their fathers, but not used by Jews in prayer because it implies a sense of familiarity. Jesus’ use of the word emphasized his Father-Son relationship with God.
  2. Romans 8:27 Lit the saints.
  3. Romans 8:35 Two early mss read God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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15 (A)(B) God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father.[a] 16 God's Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. 17 His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.

A Wonderful Future for God's People

18 (C) I am sure what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us. 19 In fact, all creation is eagerly waiting for God to show who his children are. 20 (D) Meanwhile, creation is confused, but not because it wants to be confused. God made it this way in the hope 21 that creation would be set free from decay and would share in the glorious freedom of his children. 22 We know that all creation is still groaning and is in pain, like a woman about to give birth.

23 (E) The Spirit makes us sure about what we will be in the future. But now we groan silently, while we wait for God to show that we are his children.[b] This means that our bodies will also be set free. 24 And this hope is what saves us. But if we already have what we hope for, there is no need to keep on hoping. 25 However, we hope for something we have not yet seen, and we patiently wait for it.

26 In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words. 27 (F) All of our thoughts are known to God. He can understand what is in the mind of the Spirit, as the Spirit prays for God's people. 28 We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him.[c] They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose, 29 and he has always known who his chosen ones would be. He had decided to let them become like his own Son, so his Son would be the first of many children. 30 God then accepted the people he had already decided to choose, and he has shared his glory with them.

God's Love

31 What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won't he freely give us everything else? 33 If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? 34 Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God's right side,[d] speaking to him for us. 35 Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? 36 (G) It is exactly as the Scriptures say,

“For you we face death
    all day long.
We are like sheep
on their way
    to be butchered.”

37 In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!

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Footnotes

  1. 8.15 our Father: The Greek text uses the Aramaic word “Abba” (meaning “father”), which shows the close relation between the children and their father.
  2. 8.23 to show that we are his children: These words are not in some manuscripts. The translation of the remainder of the verse would then read, “while we wait for God to set our bodies free.”
  3. 8.28 God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him: Or “All things work for the good of everyone who loves God” or “God's Spirit always works for the good of everyone who loves God.”
  4. 8.34 right side: The place of power and honor.