Romans 8:31 (DRB)

Passage

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who is against us?

Nearby Context

Romans 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestinated to be made conformable to the image of his Son: that he might be the Firstborn amongst many brethren.

Romans 8:30 And whom he predestinated, them he also called. And whom he called, them he also justified. And whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who is against us?

Romans 8:32 He that spared not even his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how hath he not also, with him, given us all things?

Romans 8:33 Who shall accuse against the elect of God? God is he that justifieth:

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "shall", "things", and "against". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "shall" and "things", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 30's "And whom he predestinated them he also..." into verse 32's "He that spared not even his own...", so "shall" and "things" belong inside that flow. In Romans context, the local focus is righteousness by faith, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and God's covenant faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "shall" and "things" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.