What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Parallel translations
- WEB What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
- KJV What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
- NKJV What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
- NASB What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
- NLT What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
If God himself is for us, no opponent can ultimately prevail against us. This rhetorical question turns the preceding promises into bold assurance.
Overview
Paul begins his triumphant conclusion to chapter 8 by drawing out the implications of God's saving work. Since the sovereign God has set his purpose to save and glorify his people, no enemy can succeed against them. This is not a claim that believers face no opposition, but that no opposition can separate them from God or thwart his purpose, a confidence grounded entirely in what God has done in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 21
- Ps 118:6The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
- Jer 1:19They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.
- Ps 56:11in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
- 1 Jn 4:4You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
- Isa 54:17No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.
- Jer 20:11But the LORD is with me like a fearsome warrior. Therefore, my persecutors will stumble and will not prevail. Since they have not succeeded, they will be utterly put to shame, with an everlasting disgrace that will never be forgotten.
- Ps 56:4In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
- Ps 27:1–3Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?
- Ps 84:11–12For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.
- Num 14:9Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be like bread for us. Their protection has been removed, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!”
- John 10:28–30I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.
- Isa 50:7–9Because the Lord GOD helps Me, I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame.
- Gen 15:1After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
- Deut 33:29Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is the shield that protects you, the sword in which you boast. Your enemies will cower before you, and you shall trample their high places.”
- Ps 46:7The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
- 1 Sam 17:45–47But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
- Josh 10:42And because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel, Joshua captured all these kings and their land in one campaign.
- Ps 46:1–3For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
- Ps 46:11The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
- 1 Sam 14:6Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
- Rom 4:1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, has discovered?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 8:31 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.