Romans 8 stands tall among beloved chapters of the Bible like Hebrews 11 or Psalm 23 because it gives us hope, comfort, and encouragement. In Romans 8, Paul shares with us the grounds for his confidence in God.
Hope
Hope is a confident expectation that sustains us. Biblical hope is not an optimistic wish, but an inner confidence in God. God’s promises are certain (Hebrews 6:13-20).
Hope faces forward, eagerly looking to the future. Abraham relied on hope, believing that God would give make him the father of many nations (Romans 4:18-21). We hope for that which we cannot see, our eternal salvation (Romans 8:23-25).
Romans 8 Outline
8:1-11
Life in the Spirit
8:1-4
Freedom from condemnation
8:5-8
Spiritual vs. fleshly thinking
8:9-11
Indwelling Spirit gives life
8:12-17
We are children of God
8:12-13
Live according to the Spirit
8:14-17
Adopted heirs of God
8:18-30
Future glory eclipses present suffering
8:18-23
Creation subjected to futility. (Gen 3:17-19)
8:24-25
Hope sustains us
8:26-27
Holy Spirit intercedes for us
8:28-30
God’s purpose
8:31-39
God makes Christians victorious
8:31-33
God is on our side
8:34-36
Christ intercedes for us
8:37-39
We are more than conquerors
Glorification
Glorification is being fully renewed in the image of God.
We hope for eternal salvation, the redemption of our bodies with our adoption as God’s children (Romans 8:23). When we are glorified, we will be clothed in immortality, bearing the image of the man of heaven (1st Corinthians 15:49-57).
Confident Winners
God makes Christians victorious. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us in prayer. While he doesn’t remove life’s burdens, he helps us bear them (Romans 8:26-27). Christ is our advocate (1st John 2:1), interceding for us at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34). God is for us (Romans 8:31), making us more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).