Romans 8 17

Romans 8:17 kjv

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.

Romans 8:17 nkjv

and if children, then heirs?heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Romans 8:17 niv

Now if we are children, then we are heirs?heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Romans 8:17 esv

and if children, then heirs ? heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:17 nlt

And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Romans 8 verses

Romans 8 17 Meaning

Romans 8:17 builds on the truth of believers' adoption as children of God, revealing the profound implications for their destiny: they are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. This dual inheritance, however, is presented in an immediate tension: shared suffering with Christ is a prerequisite and pathway to being glorified with Him. It connects their current reality of earthly struggle and their future certainty of divine glory, all rooted in their intimate union with Jesus.

Romans 8 17 Context

Romans 8 is often called the "Magna Carta of the Christian Faith" and is the apex of Paul's theological argument in Romans concerning salvation. Having established justification by faith in earlier chapters, Paul now explains the practical implications and experience of this new life in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The chapter moves from the declaration of "no condemnation" (v.1) to the certainty of future glory. Verses 14-16 establish the believers' adoption as "children of God" through the Holy Spirit, prompting them to cry "Abba, Father." Verse 17 directly flows from this familial relationship, showing that as children, they are inherently heirs. The historical context reflects a Roman world where adoption was a serious legal process, granting full rights and inheritance to the adopted child. This gives significant weight to Paul's declaration of divine adoption. The tension between present suffering and future glory was also very real for the early church, facing persecution and societal marginalization.

Romans 8 17 Word analysis

• And if children: The Greek εἰ δὲ τέκνα (ei de tekna). "Children" (τέκνα, tekna) emphasizes an inherent, natural relationship. It reiterates the adoption declared in verses 14-16, reinforcing the profound, intimate family bond with God. This status is not earned but gifted.
• then heirs: The Greek καὶ κληρονόμοι (kai klēronomoi). An heir (κληρονόμος, klēronomos) in ancient law had full legal right to an inheritance. As children of God, believers possess the title deeds to all that belongs to God. This signifies absolute privilege and ultimate destiny.
• heirs of God: This is the primary declaration. It's not just "heirs" generally, but specifically "of God." This points to a boundless, divine inheritance—everything that God possesses is promised to His children. This encompasses not only material blessings but spiritual and eternal realities, including participation in His very glory and nature.
• and joint heirs with Christ: The Greek συγκληρονόμοι Χριστοῦ (synklēronomoi Christou). The prefix συν (syn) means "with" or "together." This intensifies the idea of inheritance, stating that believers share the exact same inheritance as Christ. Since Christ is the Son and Heir of all things (Heb 1:2), believers, by being "with Christ," share in His cosmic inheritance. This speaks to their co-sovereignty, co-dominion, and co-glory.
• provided we suffer with him: The Greek εἴπερ συμπάσχομεν (eiper sympatheōmen). The word συμπάσχομεν (sympaschomen) combines συν (syn, "with") and πάσχω (paschō, "to suffer"). This is a crucial condition and connection. It’s not suffering instead of Him, nor necessarily suffering for Him (though that may occur), but suffering in union with Him and identifying with His redemptive journey, His rejection, and His cross-bearing path. This speaks to the experience of a fallen world, but viewed through the lens of Christ's example and destiny. It’s an unavoidable aspect of the Christian life in a world hostile to God.
• in order that we may also be glorified with him: The Greek ἵνα καὶ συνδοξασθῶμεν (hina kai syndoxasthōmen). συνδοξασθῶμεν (syndoxasthōmen) also has the συν (syn) prefix, meaning "together with glory." The suffering is not pointless but has a definitive telos (purpose): joint glorification. This refers to the future transformation, participation in Christ's resurrected body, and sharing in His ultimate honor and majesty. It's the ultimate consummation of the "joint heir" status, emphasizing that Christ's glory is the believers' glory.

Romans 8 17 Bonus section

The legal backdrop of inheritance in the Roman world gives extra weight to "heir" and "joint heir." A son, once adopted, had full legal rights and expectations. He was treated exactly as a natural-born son. Moreover, he not only inherited from the adopting father but could also, through a will, be made a "joint heir" with existing natural children. This made his share legally defined and guaranteed. Paul utilizes this strong legal imagery to convey the unshakeable reality of the believer's inheritance. It also underscores the solidarity aspect, as the inheritance is tied directly to Christ's own position as the firstborn Son. Thus, believers receive not a lesser portion, but a share of the divine patrimony commensurate with Christ's own. The suffering and glory are intimately tied together, much like in an athletic contest, where strenuous training and pain precede the glory of victory, or in a soldier's experience, where hardship precedes honor. This eschatological dimension reassures believers that their temporary trials are not final but prelude to their ultimate exaltation.

Romans 8 17 Commentary

Romans 8:17 is a profound declaration of the Christian's identity, inheritance, and destiny, all inextricably linked to Christ. As adopted children of God (v.15-16), believers become ultimate heirs of the Creator of the universe. The unparalleled truth is their status as "joint heirs with Christ," meaning they share in the full inheritance of the Son, which includes divine sonship, eternal life, and reign over creation. This status, however, comes with a present condition: suffering with Him. This isn't suffering for the sake of suffering, but a necessary participation in Christ's path of rejection and affliction in a world at odds with God. Such suffering is not an arbitrary test, but a refining process and a deep identification with the Crucified Lord, which ultimately paves the way for a glorious outcome. The ultimate purpose of this shared suffering is guaranteed "glorification with Him"—a transformation and participation in His very glory and reign. It’s a promise of ultimate victory, where current pains are outweighed by the certainty of future, immeasurable glory, experienced in and through Christ. The verse encapsulates the paradox and triumph of the Christian life: present affliction as the very avenue to eternal honor.

Practical Examples:

• Enduring slander for professing faith.
• Facing opposition for living out biblical values in a secular workplace.
• Persevering through physical illness or financial hardship with faith in God's promises, rather than succumbing to despair or denying Christ.
• Choosing sacrificial service despite personal cost, in imitation of Christ.