(V. 32.) God has declared in his Word that he will show mercy, that he will redeem and glorify a people and that heaven will be populated with a holy people like his beloved Son (Exod. 33:18, 19; John 6:37-39; Rom. 8:29, 30). Here is the greatest evidence that his promise will be fullfilled. "He spared not his own Son." He did not withhold Christ from all that he must be, endure, suffer and accomplish in order to take up our hopeless case and redeem us (Isa. 53:1-6). He gave Christ to be our Surety, Representative, Sacrifice and Sin-offering (John 3:16; Gal. 5:4, 5). If God so loved that he gave Christ, and Christ so loved that he came into this world and bore all our sin and shame, shall the Father not give us freely all that Christ purchased for us? Did Christ come in vain? Did he suffer thus in vain? No! Perish the thought! (John 10:27-30).
(V. 33.) God's elect are the people spoken of in verses 28-30.
1. Are these people not chargeable? Yes, they are! They are charged with Adam's transgressions, with their own sins and lack of righteousness, with a multitude of sins before and after conversion.
2. Does anyone charge them? Yes! They charge and condemn themselves (Ps. 51:3, 4). Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10). But these charges avail nothing! They are all answered in Christ. In him our sins are pardoned, we have a perfect righteousness and justice is totally satisfied (Rom. 5:1; 8:1; Jude 24). He has justified us by death and decree!
(VV.33, 34.) Paul states and argues on two foundations the full redemption and security of every believer.
1. It is God who announced and accomplished it. "It is God that justifieth."
2. It is Christ that fulfilled every requirement and purchased our redemption by his death. "It is Christ that died" (1 Peter 1:18-20). The death he died was the death of the cross. The persons for whom he died were God's elect.
"Yea rather, he is risen again." His resurrection is rather as great a security from condemnation as his death. His resurrection testifies of the accomplishments of his death and his acceptance. Had he not risen, we would still be in our sins (1 Cor. 15:17-22).
"Who is even at the right hand of God." He entered into heaven to prepare it for us and to take possession of it in our name. He sat down, having finished the work he came to do! (Heb. 10:11-13.) We are seated with him in the heavenlies.
"Who also maketh intercession for us." By the appearance of his person, by the presentation of his sacrifice, by offering up the prayers and praise of his people, by applying to us the benefits of his death (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 10:19-22).
(V.35.) Paul continues this series of questions. "What shall we say to these things? Who can lay anything to our charge? Who is he that condemneth?" Now he asks who can take us out of the hand of God or separate us from his love. No one! Not tribulation (trials, afflictions and burdens), not distress (of body or soul), not persecution (from the world or false brethren), not famine (want of food and drink), not nakedness, peril or sword (which has not been the lot of many believers). Christ's love for us is eternal, infinite and unchangeable. Nothing that this world affords can change that love (Rom. 11:29; Mal. 3:6).
(V. 36.) This quotation is from Psalm 44:22, and the meaning is that for the sake of God, true worship and the gospel of redemption, the people of God have been persecuted, despised and put to death, reckoned by the world as nothing but sheep to be slaughtered (John 16:1,2).
(V. 37.) In all these trials and difficulties we are not overcome nor defeated, but actually made better by them (James 1:2-4).
(VV.38, 39.) Paul says that he is fully persuaded that nothing in the whole universe (no matter what, good or bad), which is or shall be, can separate us from God's love which is in Christ Jesus. Notwithstanding indwelling sin, the various afflictions, weaknesses, trials or enemies within and without, we have reason to rejoice and look upon ourselves as eternally secure in the Redeemer's love.