Bible Strands
Romans 8:17
And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul to the church in Rome, mid-argument on the Spirit's work in the believer (vv. 14–17). He moves from the Spirit's testimony of sonship (v. 16) to what that sonship entails.
The words — κληρονόμοι (klēronomoi, "heirs") appears twice in the clause: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, binding the two relationships in one word. The conditional εἰ (ei, "if") that opens the sentence makes the entire claim hinge on the suffering clause that follows.
The thread — The sonship-to-heirship link recurs in Galatians 4:7 and 3:29. Ephesians 3:6 extends it to Gentiles as "fellow heirs."
Why it lands — The verse makes heirship contingent on suffering with Christ; the "if indeed" is a condition, not a hedge. A reader who wants the glory without the suffering has not entered the logic of the sentence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Galatians 4:7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.
- Galatians 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
- Ephesians 3:6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.
- 1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.
- Revelation 21:7 The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.
- 1 Peter 1:4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,
- 2 Timothy 2:10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
- Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,
- John 17:24 Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
- Titus 3:7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.