In this passage, Paul gives his audience reasons to be assured that people who trust in the gospel will make it to heaven. Paul begins by explaining how God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. The first way is by, in eternity past, foreknowing His children. This means that He sets His love upon them in eternity past. Secondly, God predestined them, in eternity past, to be in the process of being conformed to the image of His Son. When Paul calls God’s Son the firstborn, he means the first in rank of His brethren. Thirdly, God called His children, or made them trust in the gospel in time and space. Fourthly, He declared them to be righteous, or justified them. Finally, He glorified them in His plan, in eternity past.

Based upon the facts that Paul has just asserted, he presents two questions, the second of which demands an answer of “no one”: “if God is for us, who is against us?” Therefore, no one can prevent a believer from being glorified. Then, Paul argues that, if God did not spare His Son, then He will certainly give those for whom He gave His Son all things. Next, Paul basically asks if there is anyone who will bring an accurate charge against God’s elect. The assumed answer is that there is no one. The reason for this is that God is the one who justifies the elect. Therefore, there is no one who can justly condemn them. The reason that they cannot be condemned is because Christ was condemned in their place through His death. In addition, He intercedes for the elect.

Finally, Paul proves that nothing, and no one, can separate believers from God’s love. He implies that neither tribulation, nor distress, nor persecution, nor famine, nor nakedness, nor peril, nor sword will be able to separate believers from Christ’s love for them. In fact, in them, he says, believers win, or conquer. The reason why this is true is that nothing can separate believers from God’s love.