"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
— Romans 8:31 (NIV)
Romans 8:31 is the "if God is for us, who can be against us?" verse, near the end of Paul's longest chapter on life in the Spirit. This page gives the verse, where it sits in Romans 8, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about assurance, Bible verses about God's love, and Bible verses about rejection.
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The verse
The King James reads: "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"
"For us" is huper (G5228), on behalf of or on the side of. "Against us" is kata (G2596), down upon or opposed to. In Greek the "if" here does not express doubt. Paul has just shown that God is for us, and he draws the conclusion.
Where it sits in Romans 8
"These things" are what Paul has just written. Verse 28 says, "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). Verses 29 and 30 trace it from beginning to end: those God foreknew he predestined, called, justified, and glorified.
Verse 31 opens a run of questions. Verse 32 asks, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Verses 33 and 34 ask who will bring any charge or condemn. Verse 35 asks, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" The answer comes in Romans 8:38-39: nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
What the verse is saying
Paul is not saying no one will oppose believers. In verse 36 he quotes Psalm 44: "For your sake we face death all day long." He is saying that no opposition can win, because God is on their side.
The proof is in the next verse. God already gave his own Son for us. A God who has given that much will not hold back the rest. For the love behind that gift, see Romans 5:8 and John 3:16.
Questions people ask
What does Romans 8:31 say?
In the NIV it says, "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" The KJV says, "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"
What does "if God is for us, who can be against us" mean?
It means that because God is on the side of his people, no enemy or accuser can finally defeat them. Paul bases it on what God has already done: he gave his own Son for us (Romans 8:32).
What are "these things" in Romans 8:31?
The things Paul has just described in Romans 8:28-30: God works all things for the good of those who love him, and those he called he also justified and glorified.
Does Romans 8:31 mean Christians will not face opposition?
No. A few verses later Paul lists trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, and sword (Romans 8:35) and quotes Psalm 44:22. The promise is that none of it can separate us from God's love.
What verse comes after Romans 8:31?
Romans 8:32: "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
