Romans 8:34

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 8:34 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Romans 8:34 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
34who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Who is he that condemneth, etc..] That is, the elect of God: all mankind are deserving of condemnation, and are under the sentence of it, as in Adam; some are foreordained to condemnation; all in final impenitence and unbelief, are condemned already; and the whole world of the ungodly will be condemned at the last day; but none of God's elect are, or shall be condemned: for they are loved with an everlasting love; they are chosen unto salvation; they are in Christ, where there is no condemnation; they are brought to believe in him, and by him are justified from all sin, and so are secure from condemnation. They are indeed deserving of it as others, considered in themselves; and are under the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“yea rather, that is risen again--to make good the purposes of His death. Here, as in some other cases, the apostle delightfully corrects himself (see Gal 4:9; and see on Rom 1:12); not meaning that the resurrection of Christ was of more saving value than His death, but that having "put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself"--which though precious to us was to Him of unmingled bitterness--it was incomparably more delightful to think that He was again alive, and living to see to the efficacy of His death in our behalf. who is even--"also" at the right hand of God--The right hand of the king was anciently the seat of honor (compare Sa1 20:25; Kg1 2:19; Psa 45:9), and denoted participation in the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Who is he that condemneth? - Who shall pass sentence of condemnation, and consign to perdition? The function of passing sentence of condemnation on people shall pertain to Christ, the judge of quick and dead, and the apostle proceeds to say that it was certain that he would not condemn the elect of God. They were therefore secure. It is Christ that died - Or as it may be rendered, “Shall Christ who has died, condemn them?” The argument here is, that as Christ died to save them, and not to destroy them, he will not condemn them. His death for them is a security that he will not condemn them. As he died to save them, and as they have actually embraced his salvation, there is the highest…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Yea rather, that is risen - Our faith should not stop at his death, but be exercised farther on his resurrection, kingdom, second coming. Who maketh intercession for us - Presenting there his obedience, his sufferings, his prayers, and our prayers sanctified through him. Romans 8:35”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Who: Rom 8:1, Rom 14:13; Job 34:29; Psa 37:33, Psa 109:31; Jer 50:20 It is Christ: Rom 4:25, Rom 5:6-10, Rom 14:9; Job 33:24; Mat 20:28; Joh 14:19; Gal 3:13, Gal 3:14; Heb 1:3, Heb 9:10-14, Heb 10:10-14, Heb 10:19-22, Heb 12:2; Pe1 3:18; Rev 1:18 who is even: Mar 16:19; Act 7:56-60; Col 3:1; Heb 8:1, Heb 8:2, Heb 12:1; Pe1 3:22 who also: Rom 8:27; Isa 53:12; Joh 16:23, Joh 16:26, Joh 16:27, Joh 17:20-24; Heb 4:14, Heb 4:15, Heb 7:25, Heb 9:24; Jo1 2:1, Jo1 2:2 Romans 8:35”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification