17 Things That Cannot Separate You from the Love of God

Thinking about Romans 8:35-39.

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Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE ARE ACCOUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 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 created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)

After reminding Christians how God has demonstrated His great care - and continues to demonstrate His care for them - Paul turns his attention to a list of external circumstances and things that cannot separate the Christian from God’s love.

If I’ve counted correctly, the Holy Spirit, through Paul, mentions 17 things that cannot separate them from God’s in Christ Jesus.

Tribulation.

This word is also translated as “trouble” (NET) and carries the idea “of ‘affliction…’ with an underlying sense of deep-seated anguish and suffering” (Renn’s Expository Dictionary).

Distress.

This word “occurs only in Paul (Romans 8:35; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 12:10),” and “literally means narrowness of place. The dominant idea is constraint. In Deuteronomy 23:53, 57, it describes the confinement of a siege” (Vincent’s Word Studies).

Persecution.

This word for persecution is specifically for religious reasons (Mounce). This means the especially brutal persecution coming from a Christian’s family, friends, and neighbors because of the person’s new faith in Christ.

Famine.

This word means a person is destitute (Strong’s) - they are so poor and in such great need that there isn’t even enough food to eat.

Nakedness.

This word does not refer to nakedness by choice. “It is used in Rom. 8:35; 2 Cor. 11:25 to refer to a state of exposure (i.e., being without clothes), among other trials and tribulations” (Renn’s Expository Dictionary).

Peril.

This word is also translated as being in “danger” (NET, ESV).

Sword.

Homer used this word for “sword” to refer to what was used “to slaughter animals for sacrifice” (Vincent’s Word Studies). Mounce said it can refer to the “sword of the executioner” (Acts 12:2; Hebrews 11:37).

Death.

This word can mean the natural (Mark 9:1) or violent (Matthew 10:21) end of life (Mounce).

Life.

This word can refer to life in many forms. Here, it’s seen as the opposite of death. Paul’s point is, “Whether you die or go on living, neither can separate you from God’s love in Christ Jesus.”

Angels.

The word “angel” literally means “a messenger” (Mounce). Perhaps in this context, it refers to the heavenly angels - perhaps it refers to the “messengers” of the principalities and powers.

Principalities.

This is an interesting word that can mean “an authority” (Mounce) or a “ruler” (ESV). But the word also means “a beginning” (Mounce). The NET Bible translates it as “heavenly rulers” - probably a reference to the forces of the evil one.

Powers.

This word means “strength” as well as “ability” (Mounce). If we combine angels, principalities, and powers, perhaps we get a meaning like “no combined power and might of the governing authorities (earthly governments or the powers of darkness) can separate you from God’s love in Christ Jesus.”

Things Present.

This is the idea of the things that are close by or the things that are at hand (Mounce).

Things to Come.

While this can include the idea of some level of expectation, it also includes that which may only be a slight possibility (Strong’s). Either way, it’s still in the future.

Height.

This word includes the idea of “elevation” (Renn’s Expository Dictionary). Vincent’s Word Studies connects this word to “high military works thrown up, or lofty natural fastnesses with their battlements of rock.”

Depth.

This word is connected to “deep water” in Luke 5:4 and “deep poverty” in 2 Corinthians 8:2. Combining height and depth together seems to indicate neither the highest points nor the lowest points of life can separate you from God’s love in Christ Jesus.”

Any Other Created Thing.

This phrase covers anything else among the creation that hasn’t already been mentioned.

None of These Things Can Separate the Christian from God’s Love.

Paul quotes from Psalm 44 to remind the suffering Christian that God is always present amidst the suffering.

The context of Psalm 44 is that while God had helped Israel in ancient times, as had been recounted from generation to generation, the people no longer saw God involved in their day. It seemed He had forgotten them, leaving them to be ravaged by their enemies, although they had remained faithful to Him. At the end, the psalmist asked that God arise from His sleep and help them in their misery and oppression. - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 306

Psalm 44 reminds God’s suffering people that He is faithful to His promises and has not abandoned them.

Not only had God not abandoned His people in their suffering - but in Him, the one who loved us, we are “more than conquerors.” The NASB translates this as “we overwhelmingly conquer.” It’s not that we are just barely given victory through Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57), but that the victory we receive is overwhelming through Him.

None of these things can separate a Christian from the “love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Certainly, God loves all people (John 3:16), but this is a special love for His children - those in Christ Jesus.

The idea is that nothing is powerful enough to forcefully remove the Christian from God’s love - or from Him being able to work all things together for your good (Romans 8:28).