Bible Strands
Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses believers in Rome, positioned between his statement on Christ’s present intercession in Romans 8:34 and his quotation about daily facing death in Romans 8:36. He poses a rhetorical question to determine what external force could possibly break their connection to Christ.
The words — The Greek verb χωρίσει (chōrisei) literally means “will separate” or “cut off,” joined with ἀπὸ (apo) “from” and ἀγάπης (agapēs) “love.” The interrogative τίς (tis) “who” frames the inquiry as unanswerable, emphasizing that no person or power can accomplish this division.
The thread — The text lists trouble, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, and sword as potential separators, directly engaging the suffering described in Romans 8:36. This corresponds to John 10:28, which states no one can snatch believers from Christ’s hand, and aligns with the enduring divine love noted in Psalms 103:17 and the assurance of peace amid tribulation in John 16:33.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to acknowledge that listed hardships cannot sever their union with Christ, grounded in his active intercession. It demands a sober acceptance that suffering remains part of the believer’s reality while affirming that such conditions possess no power to break divine love.
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
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Cross-references
- John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.
- Psalms 103:17 But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children—
- John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
- Romans 5:3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
- 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.
- 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
- Romans 8:39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 2 Timothy 4:16 At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them.
- Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- 2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.