Faith in Romans, Chapter 8, Part 3: The Sovereignty of God; While Believers suffer The Holy Spirit Intercedes & All Things Work Together for Good to Them:

Part 1 in our study of Chapter 8 (Vol 5, No 19) recapped the good news that there is no judgement against believers in Christ Jesus who formerly were sinners condemned to death, Romans 8:1 - 111 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

. Part 2 (Vol 5, No 19) examined the believer’s personal relationship as children of God who call Him “Abba Father,” notwithstanding the suffering endured in these bodies of flesh while looking forward to the Glory that will follow, Romans 8:12 - 2312 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 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.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

. Reviewing verses 22 & 23: “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now,” Romans 8:2222 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

. Everything God created, i.e., the universe and all within, groaneth and travaileth in pain. The Greek words translated “groaneth” and “travaileth” are found only here in the New Testament (NT). The lexicon defines the Greek word translated “groaneth” (G4959) as a verb “to grown together;” while the phrase “travaileth in pain together” is from the Greek (G4944) meaning “to feel the pains of travail with, be in travail together; metaphorically to undergo agony (like a woman in childbirth) along with.”

“And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Romans 8:2323 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

. Believers groan in pain along with the rest of God’s creation while in these bodies of sin awaiting the redemption or their bodies. The Greek word translated redemption (G629) means “a releasing effected by payment of ransom, redemption, deliverance, liberation procured by the payment of a ransom,” see 1 Thessalonians 4:14 - 1814 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

; 1 Corinthians 15:50 - 5450 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

. And while believers await this change, they are blessed with the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit, which is described in Ephesians as being sealed by Him: “In whom (Christ) ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest (down payment) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, (purchased by Christ’s finished work) unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13 - 1413 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

. Thus, a person receives the firstfruits (down payment) of the Holy Spirit Who seals them as they await redemption at the time they truly believe the Gospel of salvation that Christ died for their sins and was raised from the dead, 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 41 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

.

The hope of the believer to put off their body of sin and to be clothed with a body like the Lord Jesus Christ’s is explained further: “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle (the believer’s body) were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.” 2 Corinthians 5:1 - 41 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

.

“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” Romans 8:2424 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

. The Greek word translated “hope” (G1680), found 4 times in this verse means “joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.” This hope is appropriated by faith because faith is the substance (substructure or foundation) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

. “But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience (G5281) wait for it.” Romans 8:2525 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

. We learned earlier in Romans how the believer obtains patience: “…, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (G5281) And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:3 - 53 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

. And while believers remain in weak bodies of flesh, they have no reason to worry: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26 - 2726 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

.

The Greek word usually translated predestinated (G4209) is found only 6 times in the NT; first in an event recounted in Acts 4:18 - 2818 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

where it provides the key to its meaning in that it is translated “determined before.” There, Peter and John told a gathering of Jews who believed Jesus was their Messiah: “For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou (God) hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.” Acts 4:27 - 2827 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

. This clearly states that although Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles (Romans in this case) and Jews (Israel) were guilty of crucifying Jesus Christ; God had predestinated (determined before) it would happen.

The Greek word translated “predestined” occurs next in our text: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate (determined before) to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate (determined before), them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Romans 8:28 - 3028 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

. The Greek word translated “called” (G2822) means “invited, selected or appointed,” so believers are divinely invited according to God’s purpose, as was Lydia: “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” Acts 16:1414 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

. Lydia “worshiped God” but did not attend to the things spoken by Paul because she was unaware of the Gospel preached by Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 4, until he told her and then she believed (attended unto) that Gospel.

“For whom he (God) did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:2929 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

. The Greek word translated “foreknow” (G4167) means “to have knowledge beforehand,” so those who God knew beforehand, them he predestinated (determined beforehand) to be confirmed to the image (having the same form) of His Son (Jesus Christ) that He (Jesus Christ) might be the firstborn among many brethren (those who believe in Him). “Moreover whom he did predestinate (determined before), them he also called (invited, selected or appointed): and whom he called, them he also justified (made righteous); and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Romans 8:3030 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

. We ask, what is it for believers to be glorified? Since Romans 8:29 teaches that believers are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, we must look to how Jesus Christ was “glorified.” That happened when He died for our sins and rose again for our justification: “And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.” John 12:2323 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

. (It was then that He also defeated Satan, John 12:3131 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

.) Therefore, believers are glorified because they are “in Christ” and can say with the Apostle Paul: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:2020 I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

.

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:1818 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

. Believers are encouraged to grow in faith, hope, understanding, wisdom and knowledge as Paul prays: “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,” Ephesians 1:15 - 2015 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

.

“For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:20 - 2120 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

. In reality, the believer’s citizenship is in heaven right now even while they groan in pain along with the rest of God’s creation in these bodies of sin but look forward to having a glorious body, that is just like the Lord Jesus Christ’s, for all eternity. And nothing can take this away: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38 - 3938 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

.