Romans 8 33

Romans 8:33 kjv

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

Romans 8:33 nkjv

Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

Romans 8:33 niv

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

Romans 8:33 esv

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

Romans 8:33 nlt

Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one ? for God himself has given us right standing with himself.

Romans 8 verses

Romans 8 33 Meaning

Romans 8:33 is a powerful rhetorical declaration that no entity can successfully accuse or condemn God's chosen people, because God Himself, the ultimate Judge, is the one who declares them righteous. It establishes the unassailable security of believers in their justified status before God. The verse triumphantly refutes any potential charge, by directly asserting the divine prerogative and act of justification, thereby silencing all adversaries, whether spiritual, human, or the Law itself.

Romans 8 33 Context

Romans chapter 8 stands as a magnificent peak in Paul's letter, building upon the doctrines of justification by faith (chapters 1-5) and sanctification (chapters 6-7). This chapter transitions from the struggle with indwelling sin (Rom 7) to the Spirit-empowered life of victory and assurance for believers. Key themes include the absence of condemnation for those in Christ, the indwelling Spirit guiding believers, our adoption as children of God, and our co-heirship with Christ through suffering and future glory. The closing section (Rom 8:31-39), where verse 33 is situated, acts as a triumphant and unwavering series of rhetorical questions, establishing the unbreakable security and ultimate victory of believers in God's love. Historically, Paul addresses both Jewish and Gentile Christians, reassuring them of their unified and secure standing before God, countering potential doubts about God's faithfulness or the accusations from the Law, human judgment, or even demonic forces.

Romans 8 33 Word analysis

• Who (τίς - tis): A singular interrogative pronoun, a rhetorical question implying "no one" or "absolutely nobody." This forcefully rejects the possibility of a legitimate accuser.

• shall lay anything to the charge (ἐγκαλέσει - enkalesei): This is a future active indicative of egkaleō, a legal term meaning "to call to account," "to bring a charge against," or "to accuse someone in court." It vividly evokes a courtroom setting where a prosecution is mounted.

• God's elect (ἐκλεκτῶν Θεοῦ - eklektōn Theou):

  • Eklektōn (genitive plural of eklektos): "chosen," "selected." It denotes those specifically chosen by God for salvation, not based on their merit but on His sovereign grace.
  • Theou (genitive singular of Theos): "God."
  • This phrase emphasizes a divine prerogative in selection, providing the basis for their unique standing and security. Their election guarantees their justification and ultimate glorification (Rom 8:29-30).

• It is God (Θεὸς - Theos): An emphatic, nominative form. The emphasis on God directly answers the rhetorical question, presenting Him as the supreme authority and ultimate agent in the justification process. It highlights that the accuser faces not just the accused, but the ultimate Judge.

• that justifieth (ὁ δικαιῶν - ho dikaiōn):

  • Ho (definite article): "The one who."
  • Dikaiōn (present active participle of dikaioō): "to declare righteous," "to justify," "to acquit." It is a legal term signifying a verdict of "not guilty" or "righteous" based on a proper legal standard.
  • This is not about making someone inherently righteous but about legally declaring them righteous in His sight through Christ. The present tense indicates an ongoing reality or a timeless truth of God's action.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?": This is a challenging question that immediately establishes a judicial scenario. It positions any potential accuser (Satan, the Law, conscience, other people) against the immensely privileged position of "God's elect." The force is not only that no one will, but that no one can successfully bring a charge.
  • "It is God that justifieth.": This declarative statement is the ultimate defense. By stating "It is God" who justifies, Paul establishes God as the supreme Judge and the highest authority in the cosmic court. Since He is the one who declares the elect righteous, any other accusation becomes null and void; it lacks jurisdiction or weight when God has already ruled. This highlights God's grace and sovereignty as the bedrock of salvation.

Romans 8 33 Bonus section

The forensic imagery in Romans 8:33 is crucial. Paul transports his readers into a cosmic courtroom, with God presiding as the Judge. The charges could be numerous, including personal failures, the demands of the Law, or the fiery darts of the Adversary. However, the crucial point is the identity of the defense counsel and the Judge. Not only is Christ Jesus our Advocate (1 Jn 2:1), but God the Father, the very One against whom we sinned, also becomes our Justifier. This demonstrates the completeness and supremacy of God's grace in salvation. The declaration "God justifies" means He pardons, accepts, and declares righteous, all without requiring human merit. This declaration removes all guilt, shame, and the fear of a final negative verdict.

Romans 8 33 Commentary

Romans 8:33 serves as a resounding declaration of the believer's absolute security and justified status before God. The passage functions as a triumphant counter-challenge, inviting any potential accuser to step forward only to be silenced by the ultimate authority of God Himself. Paul frames this truth within the context of a divine courtroom, where "God's elect" are on trial. The audacious question "Who shall lay anything to the charge?" acknowledges the reality of accusations—from the Devil (Rev 12:10), a condemning conscience, the Law, or even human adversaries. However, the emphatic response "It is God that justifieth" renders all such charges impotent. God, as the righteous Judge, has already rendered the verdict of "righteous" through faith in Christ. Therefore, if the highest court has declared a person innocent and just, no lesser authority, argument, or accusation can prevail. This provides profound comfort, assuring believers that their standing with God is irrevocably settled, sealed by divine decree and unshakeable grace. This assurance frees believers from the tyranny of guilt and fear of condemnation.