Bible Strands
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Roman believers, drawing the practical conclusion from the chain of salvation in 8:29–30. He speaks in the first person plural ("us"), placing himself and the reader on the same side of the question.
The words — εἰ (ei), "if," is a rhetorical conditional: Paul does not ask whether God is for us but asserts the premise as settled fact and presses the consequence.
The thread — The pattern "God is on my side; what can man do to me?" runs through Psalms 118:6 and 56:11, and Jeremiah 1:19 ("I am with you to deliver you"). Paul widens the scope from "man" to any and all opposition: "who can be against us?"
Why it lands — It forces the reader to stop treating the premise as negotiable. The question is not whether God is for you but whether you will live as if he is.
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
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Cross-references
- Psalms 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
- Jeremiah 1:19 They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.
- Psalms 56:11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
- 1 John 4:4 You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
- Isaiah 54:17 No 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.
- Jeremiah 20:11 But 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.
- Psalms 56:4 In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
- Psalms 27:1 Of 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?
- Psalms 84:11 For 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.
- Numbers 14:9 Only 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!”