Romans 8:32

“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?” (Romans 8:32 ESV). This verse comes from a section about God’s everlasting love, but the section begins with reference to “these things”, which points us back to the previous section which contains several popular verses; verses like: “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;” (Romans 8:26 NASB); “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NASB).

There are two more verses that complete the context for our verse and they are: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30 ESV). We now understand what “these things” are that God has done for us and if so then who can stand against us?

Paul then points out in our verse that God did not spare his own Son, but gave him as the perfect sacrifice as payment for our salvation. If God was willing to give his very best and most treasured gift for us, can we not expect that he would graciously give us all things that we would need in our walk with him?

One must not stop here, but look ahead and see why these things that he will graciously give are important. When any charge is brought against us it is God who will justify. Who can condemn us since Jesus died for us and is now seated at the right hand of God to intercede for us. Because of God’s protection through all kinds trials and tribulations there is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ.

Prayer

Father, when we take time and look at the verses around our selected verse we find they add great meaning and richness. How important context is to understand the meaning of “these things”. That context clarifies that these things relate to our salvation and our walk with the Lord and not the things we might want in the world. Father, we need to be careful not to let verses we are using get separated from their original context.