1
Οὐδὲν ἄρα νῦν κατάκριμα τοῖς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ·
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
The triumphant verdict that crowns chapters 5–7: for those united to Christ, the sentence of condemnation is abolished — now, already.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
ΟὐδὲνnoNominativeattributive adjective (emphatic, fronted)οὐδείς: 'no, none'; the emphatic fronting — 'nothing of condemnation whatever.'
ἄραthereforeinferential particleἄρα: 'therefore, consequently'; drawing the grand conclusion from the argument so far (esp. 7:25; 5:1).
νῦνnowadverb (time)νῦν: 'now'; the present, realized 'no condemnation' — already in force, not merely future.
κατάκριμαcondemnationNominativesubject (verbless clause)κατάκριμα: 'condemnation, the penal sentence' (cf. 5:16, 18); the doom now lifted from those in Christ.
τοῖςfor thoseDativesubstantival article (dat. of advantage)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)ἐν Χριστῷ: the sphere of union with Christ — the ground of the acquittal.
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (union)
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition
2
ὁ γὰρ νόμος τοῦ πνεύματος τῆς ζωῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ἠλευθέρωσέν σε ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου τῆς ἁμαρτίας καὶ τοῦ θανάτου.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.
The reason there is no condemnation: a new governing power — the Spirit's life-giving 'law' in Christ — has liberated from the old regime of sin and death (cf. 7:23).
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ὁtheNominativearticle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
νόμοςlaw/principleNominativesubjectνόμος: here 'law, governing principle, regime'; the Spirit's operative rule, answering 'the law of sin' (7:23, 25).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitivegenitive of source (the Spirit's law)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit, the chapter's dominant theme (mentioned ~19 times).
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ζωῆςlifeGenitiveattributive genitive (the Spirit who gives life)ζωή: 'life'; the Spirit characterized by and giving life.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/union)
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition
ἠλευθέρωσένhas set freeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐλευθερόωmain verb→ constative aoristἐλευθερόω: 'set free, liberate' (cf. 6:18, 22); the decisive emancipation from the old order.
σεyouAccusativedirect objectSome MSS read 'me'; the singular 'you' addresses the believer directly.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
νόμουlawGenitiveobject of ἀπό (separation)νόμος: 'law'; the rival regime — 'the law of sin and death' (cf. 7:23–25).
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ἁμαρτίαςsinGenitivegenitive of source/qualityἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the power whose law held captive.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θανάτουdeathGenitivegenitive of source/qualityθάνατος: 'death'; sin's ally and outcome, from which the Spirit frees.
3
τὸ γὰρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου, ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διὰ τῆς σαρκός, ὁ θεὸς τὸν ἑαυτοῦ υἱὸν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκὸς ἁμαρτίας καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί,
For what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do, God did: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as a sin offering, he condemned sin in the flesh,
How that liberation was won: where the law was powerless through the flesh, God sent his own Son and, in his flesh, passed sentence on sin itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adj.)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἀδύνατονimpossible thingAccusativeaccusative (absolute/object, substantival adj.)ἀδύνατος: 'unable, impossible' (ἀ- + δύναμις); 'the inability of the law' — what it had no power to do.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
νόμουlawGenitivegenitive (subjective: the law's inability)νόμος: 'law'; good but impotent to justify or sanctify (cf. 7:12; 8:3).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (respect)
ᾧwhichDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν)
ἠσθένειit was weakImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀσθενέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ imperfect (ongoing weakness)ἀσθενέω: 'be weak, powerless' (cf. 4:19); the law's impotence — not its fault but the flesh's.
διὰbecause of/throughpreposition + genitive (cause/means)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
σαρκόςfleshGenitiveobject of διά (cause)σάρξ: 'flesh'; fallen human nature, which made the law unable to deliver.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; the actor who accomplished what the law could not.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἑαυτοῦhis ownGenitivereflexive (possessive, emphatic)ἑαυτοῦ: 'his own'; stressing the costliness — God's own Son (cf. v.32).
υἱὸνSonAccusativedirect object of πέμψαςυἱός: 'Son'; the eternal Son sent into the world.
πέμψαςhaving sentAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πέμπωadverbial participle (means)→ constative aoristπέμπω: 'send'; the sending of the Son — the means of condemning sin.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner)
ὁμοιώματιlikenessDativedat. of mannerὁμοίωμα: 'likeness, form' (cf. 1:23; 5:14); careful wording — truly human flesh, yet 'likeness of sinful flesh,' not sinful himself.
σαρκὸςfleshGenitiveattributive genitiveσάρξ: 'flesh'; the Son took real flesh, in the realm where sin reigned.
ἁμαρτίαςof sin/sinfulGenitiveattributive genitiveἁμαρτία: 'sin'; 'sinful flesh' — flesh as conditioned by sin, which the Son shared in form without sinning.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
περὶconcerning/forpreposition + genitive (reference)περὶ ἁμαρτίας: in the LXX a fixed phrase for 'sin offering' (cf. Lev); likely 'as a sin offering' here.
ἁμαρτίαςsinGenitiveobject of περίἁμαρτία: 'sin'; 'for/concerning sin' — the sacrificial nuance.
κατέκρινενhe condemnedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατακρίνωmain verb→ constative aoristκατακρίνω: 'condemn, pass sentence against' (cf. 2:1); God executed judgment on sin itself — in the Son's flesh, the very place sin operated.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἁμαρτίανsinAccusativedirect objectἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the condemned party — not the sinner but sin, in the flesh of Christ.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῇtheDativearticle
σαρκίfleshDativedat. of locationσάρξ: 'flesh'; Christ's flesh, where sin was judged and broken.
4
ἵνα τὸ δικαίωμα τοῦ νόμου πληρωθῇ ἐν ἡμῖν τοῖς μὴ κατὰ σάρκα περιπατοῦσιν ἀλλὰ κατὰ πνεῦμα·
in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
God's purpose in condemning sin: that the law's just requirement be met in us — those whose lives now follow the Spirit, not the flesh.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ἵναin order thatconjunction (purpose)
τὸtheNominativearticle
δικαίωμαrighteous requirementNominativesubjectδικαίωμα: 'righteous requirement, just decree' (cf. 1:32; 5:16, 18); the law's rightful demand, now met in believers.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
νόμουlawGenitivepossessive genitiveνόμος: 'law'; its just claim fulfilled — not by us but in us, through Christ and the Spirit.
πληρωθῇmight be fulfilledAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · πληρόωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ constative aoristπληρόω: 'fulfill, fill up, complete' (cf. 13:8); the passive — the requirement is met in us, God the agent.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
ἡμῖνusDativeobject of ἐν
τοῖςwhoDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
σάρκαfleshAccusativeobject of κατά (standard)σάρξ: 'flesh'; the norm believers no longer follow.
περιπατοῦσινwho walkPres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · περιπατέωsubstantival participle (apposition to ἡμῖν)→ customary (characteristic)περιπατέω: 'walk, conduct oneself' (cf. 6:4); the whole pattern of life.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
πνεῦμαSpiritAccusativeobject of κατά (standard)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the new norm — the Spirit-governed life.
5
οἱ γὰρ κατὰ σάρκα ὄντες τὰ τῆς σαρκὸς φρονοῦσιν, οἱ δὲ κατὰ πνεῦμα τὰ τοῦ πνεύματος.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, on the things of the Spirit.
The fundamental divide: existence determines orientation — the flesh-people fix their minds on flesh-things, the Spirit-people on Spirit-things.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
σάρκαfleshAccusativeobject of κατάσάρξ: 'flesh'; the realm/norm defining the unregenerate.
ὄντεςwho are/livePres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · εἰμίsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (ongoing)εἰμί: 'be'; those whose very existence is 'according to the flesh.'
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantival)
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
σαρκὸςfleshGenitivegenitive (the flesh's things)σάρξ: 'flesh'; the concerns and interests of fallen nature.
φρονοῦσινset their minds onPres Act Indic 3 Pl · φρονέωmain verb→ customary presentφρονέω: 'think, set the mind on, be intent on' (cf. 12:3, 16); the whole bent of mind and will — disposition, not mere thought.
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantival)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
πνεῦμαSpiritAccusativeobject of κατάπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the realm/norm defining believers.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantival; verb φρονοῦσιν implied)
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitivegenitive (the Spirit's things)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the concerns of the Spirit-led life.
6
τὸ γὰρ φρόνημα τῆς σαρκὸς θάνατος, τὸ δὲ φρόνημα τοῦ πνεύματος ζωὴ καὶ εἰρήνη·
For the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.
The two mindsets carry two destinies: the flesh-mind issues in death, the Spirit-mind in life and peace.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
τὸtheNominativearticle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
φρόνημαmindset/way of thinkingNominativesubjectφρόνημα: 'mindset, way of thinking, disposition' (the -μα result of φρονέω); the settled outlook of the flesh.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
σαρκὸςfleshGenitivegenitive of source/qualityσάρξ: 'flesh'; the source of the death-bound mindset.
θάνατοςdeathNominativepredicate nominativeθάνατος: 'death'; the outcome of the flesh-mind (cf. 6:23; 7:5).
τὸtheNominativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunction
φρόνημαmindsetNominativesubjectφρόνημα: 'mindset'; the Spirit's disposition.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitivegenitive of source/qualityπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the source of the life-and-peace mindset.
ζωὴlifeNominativepredicate nominativeζωή: 'life'; the outcome of the Spirit-mind.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativepredicate nominativeεἰρήνη: 'peace' (cf. 5:1); reconciled well-being with God, the Spirit-mind's fruit.
7
διότι τὸ φρόνημα τῆς σαρκὸς ἔχθρα εἰς θεόν, τῷ γὰρ νόμῳ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐχ ὑποτάσσεται, οὐδὲ γὰρ δύναται·
because the mindset of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
Why the flesh-mind ends in death: it is enmity toward God — it neither submits to his law nor even has the capacity to.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
διότιbecausecausal conjunctionδιότι: 'because'; grounding the verdict 'death' of v.6.
τὸtheNominativearticle
φρόνημαmindsetNominativesubjectφρόνημα: 'mindset'; the flesh's disposition, now diagnosed.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
σαρκὸςfleshGenitivegenitive of source/quality
ἔχθραenmity/hostilityNominativepredicate nominativeἔχθρα: 'hostility, enmity' (cf. ἐχθρός, 5:10); the flesh-mind is actively at war with God.
εἰςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction)
θεόνGodAccusativeobject of εἰς
τῷto theDativearticle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
νόμῳlawDativedat. (object of ὑποτάσσεται)νόμος: 'law'; God's law, to which the flesh will not bow.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive
οὐχnotnegative particle
ὑποτάσσεταιit submitsPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ὑποτάσσωmain verb→ gnomic presentὑποτάσσω (mid./pass.): 'submit, be subject' (ὑπό + τάσσω, 'arrange under'); a military term — the flesh refuses to fall under God's command.
οὐδὲindeed not/nor evennegative conjunction (intensive)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
δύναταιit is ablePres Mid Indic 3 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb→ gnomic presentδύναμαι: 'be able, have power'; not merely unwilling but unable — the flesh's radical incapacity for God.
8
οἱ δὲ ἐν σαρκὶ ὄντες θεῷ ἀρέσαι οὐ δύνανται.
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
The blunt conclusion: those whose existence is in the flesh are simply unable to please God.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δὲand/butconnective conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
σαρκὶfleshDativedat. of sphereσάρξ: 'flesh'; the realm of unregenerate existence.
ὄντεςwho arePres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · εἰμίsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (ongoing)εἰμί: 'be'; those whose being is 'in the flesh.'
θεῷGodDativedat. of the one pleased
ἀρέσαιto pleaseAor Act Inf · ἀρέσκωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristἀρέσκω: 'please, be acceptable to'; what the flesh cannot do for God.
οὐnotnegative particle
δύνανταιthey are ablePres Mid Indic 3 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb→ gnomic presentδύναμαι: 'be able'; the verdict of incapacity restated of persons.
9
ὑμεῖς δὲ οὐκ ἐστὲ ἐν σαρκὶ ἀλλὰ ἐν πνεύματι, εἴπερ πνεῦμα θεοῦ οἰκεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν. εἰ δέ τις πνεῦμα Χριστοῦ οὐκ ἔχει, οὗτος οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῦ.
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
The decisive turn to the readers: you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit — provided the Spirit indwells you, for the Spirit is the mark of belonging to Christ.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ὑμεῖς: 'you' — emphatic contrast with 'those in the flesh.'
δὲhoweveradversative conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐστὲyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ stative present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
σαρκὶfleshDativedat. of sphereσάρξ: 'flesh'; the realm believers have left.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
πνεύματιSpiritDativedat. of sphereπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the new realm of the believer's existence.
εἴπερif indeedconjunction (causal/conditional)εἴπερ: 'if indeed, since' (cf. 8:17); assuming the condition true — 'seeing that.'
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubjectπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the indwelling Spirit, the test and guarantee.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source
οἰκεῖdwellsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · οἰκέωmain verb→ gnomic presentοἰκέω: 'dwell, reside' (cf. 7:17–20); the Spirit indwells, displacing indwelling sin.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)
δέbutadversative conjunction
τιςanyoneNominativeindefinite pronoun (subject)
πνεῦμαSpiritAccusativedirect objectπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; 'the Spirit of Christ' = the same Spirit of God, christologically named.
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive of source/relation
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔχειhasPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ gnomic presentἔχω: 'have'; possessing the Spirit is the mark of belonging.
οὗτοςthis oneNominativedemonstrative (subject)
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινis/belongsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ gnomic presentεἰμί + gen.: 'belong to'; without the Spirit, one is not Christ's.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
10
εἰ δὲ Χριστὸς ἐν ὑμῖν, τὸ μὲν σῶμα νεκρὸν διὰ ἁμαρτίαν, τὸ δὲ πνεῦμα ζωὴ διὰ δικαιοσύνην.
But if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
The consequence of Christ's indwelling: though the body remains under death's sentence because of sin, the spirit is life because of the righteousness given.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)
δὲbutconnective conjunction
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubjectΧριστός: 'Christ'; his indwelling (by the Spirit, v.9) — the assumed reality.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
τὸtheNominativearticle
μὲνon the one handparticle (μέν … δέ)μέν … δέ: balancing body and spirit, death and life.
σῶμαbodyNominativesubjectσῶμα: 'body'; still mortal, awaiting redemption (v.23).
νεκρὸνdeadNominativepredicate adjectiveνεκρός: 'dead'; the body under death's sentence — mortal because of sin.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
ἁμαρτίανsinAccusativeobject of διά (cause)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the reason the body remains mortal.
τὸtheNominativearticle
δὲbut on the otherparticle (δέ answering μέν)
πνεῦμαspiritNominativesubjectπνεῦμα: here likely the human spirit (or the indwelling Spirit as life-source); alive in contrast to the dying body.
ζωὴlifeNominativepredicate nominativeζωή: 'life'; the spirit is life itself — vivified.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
δικαιοσύνηνrighteousnessAccusativeobject of διά (cause)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; the imputed/imparted righteousness that is the ground of life.
11
εἰ δὲ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ ἐγείραντος τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐκ νεκρῶν οἰκεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν, ὁ ἐγείρας ἐκ νεκρῶν Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ζῳοποιήσει καὶ τὰ θνητὰ σώματα ὑμῶν διὰ τοῦ ἐνοικοῦντος αὐτοῦ πνεύματος ἐν ὑμῖν.
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
The mortal body's hope: the same Spirit who raised Jesus, indwelling believers, guarantees that God will also vivify their mortal bodies.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)
δὲandconnective conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubjectπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; identified by the resurrection of Jesus — the life-giving Spirit.
τοῦof the (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐγείραντοςwho raisedAor Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · ἐγείρωsubstantival participle (genitive)→ constative aoristἐγείρω: 'raise'; God the Father, defined by raising Jesus (cf. 4:24).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativedirect object
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνthe deadGenitiveobject of ἐκνεκρός: 'dead'; 'from among the dead.'
οἰκεῖdwellsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · οἰκέωmain verb (protasis)→ gnomic presentοἰκέω: 'dwell' (cf. v.9); the indwelling Spirit.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐγείραςwho raisedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐγείρωsubstantival participle (subject)→ constative aoristἐγείρω: 'raise'; God, the resurrection-worker — guarantor of ours.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνthe deadGenitiveobject of ἐκ
ΧριστὸνChristAccusativedirect object
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativeapposition
ζῳοποιήσειwill give life toFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ζῳοποιέωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureζῳοποιέω: 'make alive, give life' (cf. 4:17); the future bodily resurrection of believers.
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
θνητὰmortalAccusativeattributive adjectiveθνητός: 'mortal' (cf. 6:12); the perishable bodies to be vivified.
σώματαbodiesAccusativedirect objectσῶμα: 'body'; the mortal body, destined for resurrection life.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (agency/means)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἐνοικοῦντοςwho dwells inPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Neut · ἐνοικέωattributive participle→ present (ongoing)ἐνοικέω: 'dwell in, inhabit' (ἐν + οἰκέω); the indwelling Spirit as the means of bodily life.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitiveobject of διά (means)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the agent of resurrection life in the believer.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
12
Ἄρα οὖν, ἀδελφοί, ὀφειλέται ἐσμέν, οὐ τῇ σαρκὶ τοῦ κατὰ σάρκα ζῆν,
So then, brothers, we are debtors — not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
The ethical consequence drawn: we owe the flesh nothing; it has no claim on us to live by its dictates.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
Ἄραsoinferential particleἄρα οὖν: 'so then' (cf. 7:3, 25); drawing the obligation from vv.1–11.
οὖνtheninferential conjunction
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of direct addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; affectionate address.
ὀφειλέταιdebtorsNominativepredicate nominativeὀφειλέτης: 'debtor, one obligated' (cf. 1:14); we are under obligation — but not to the flesh.
ἐσμένwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ stative present
οὐnotnegative particle
τῇto theDativearticle
σαρκὶfleshDativedat. of the one owedσάρξ: 'flesh'; the creditor we do not owe — the sentence breaks off, leaving the positive 'but to the Spirit' implied.
τοῦto/so asGenitivearticle (substantizes inf.)
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
σάρκαfleshAccusativeobject of κατάσάρξ: 'flesh'; the norm we are not obligated to follow.
ζῆνto livePres Act Inf · ζάωarticular inf. of purpose/reference→ present (ongoing)ζάω: 'live'; τοῦ … ζῆν = 'so as to live' — the manner of life the flesh has no right to demand.
13
εἰ γὰρ κατὰ σάρκα ζῆτε μέλλετε ἀποθνῄσκειν, εἰ δὲ πνεύματι τὰς πράξεις τοῦ σώματος θανατοῦτε ζήσεσθε.
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
The two ways and their ends: living by the flesh ends in death; but Spirit-empowered mortifying of the body's deeds leads to life.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
σάρκαfleshAccusativeobject of κατάσάρξ: 'flesh'; the deadly norm.
ζῆτεyou livePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ζάωmain verb (protasis)→ customary presentζάω: 'live'; the ongoing pattern.
μέλλετεyou are about/going toPres Act Indic 2 Pl · μέλλωmain verb (apodosis, w/ inf.)→ present (impending)μέλλω: 'be about to, be destined to'; the certain outcome.
ἀποθνῄσκεινdiePres Act Inf · ἀποθνῄσκωcomplementary infinitive→ present (ongoing)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; eschatological death — the wage of the flesh (cf. 6:23).
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
πνεύματιby the SpiritDativedat. of meansπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Spirit as the power for mortification — not self-effort alone.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
πράξειςdeeds/practicesAccusativedirect objectπρᾶξις: 'deed, practice, action' (cf. πράσσω); the body's sinful activities.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
σώματοςbodyGenitivegenitive of sourceσῶμα: 'body'; the body as the instrument of sinful deeds (cf. 6:6).
θανατοῦτεyou put to deathPres Act Indic 2 Pl · θανατόωmain verb (protasis)→ customary presentθανατόω: 'put to death, kill' (cf. 7:4); ongoing mortification of sinful deeds.
ζήσεσθεyou will liveFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ζάωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureζάω: 'live'; the promised life — true, eternal life.
14
ὅσοι γὰρ πνεύματι θεοῦ ἄγονται, οὗτοι υἱοὶ θεοῦ εἰσιν.
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
The identity behind that life: being led by God's Spirit is the very mark of sonship.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
ὅσοιall who/as many asNominativerelative pronoun (correlative)ὅσος: 'as many as'; 'all who' — the inclusive subject.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
πνεύματιby the SpiritDativedat. of agency/meansπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the agent of the leading.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source
ἄγονταιare ledPres Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἄγωmain verb→ customary presentἄγω: 'lead, guide, bring'; the Spirit's ongoing leading — a present, continual reality.
οὗτοιtheseNominativedemonstrative (subject)
υἱοὶsonsNominativepredicate nominativeυἱός: 'son'; full-status sons — heirs (cf. v.17; Gal 4).
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of relationship
εἰσινthey arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ stative present
15
οὐ γὰρ ἐλάβετε πνεῦμα δουλείας πάλιν εἰς φόβον, ἀλλὰ ἐλάβετε πνεῦμα υἱοθεσίας, ἐν ᾧ κράζομεν· Αββα ὁ πατήρ.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'
The character of that Spirit: not a slavish spirit of fear but the Spirit of adoption, by whom believers address God with a child's intimate cry.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
οὐnotnegative particle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐλάβετεyou receivedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'receive'; the Spirit received at conversion.
πνεῦμαspiritAccusativedirect objectπνεῦμα: 'spirit'; here 'a spirit of slavery' — the disposition the Spirit is not.
δουλείαςof slaveryGenitiveattributive genitiveδουλεία: 'slavery, bondage' (cf. δοῦλος); the old servile condition under fear.
πάλινagainadverb (repetition)πάλιν: 'again'; not a relapse into bondage.
εἰςto/resulting inpreposition + accusative (result)
φόβονfearAccusativeobject of εἰς (result)φόβος: 'fear, dread'; the slave's terror — opposite of a child's confidence.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ἐλάβετεyou receivedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aorist
πνεῦμαSpiritAccusativedirect objectπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; 'the Spirit of adoption' — effecting sonship.
υἱοθεσίαςof adoptionGenitiveattributive genitiveυἱοθεσία: 'adoption as sons' (υἱός + θέσις, 'placing as a son'); a Greco-Roman legal term — the full legal status of an heir conferred.
ἐνby/inpreposition + dative (means/sphere)
ᾧwhomDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν)
κράζομενwe cryPres Act Indic 1 Pl · κράζωmain verb→ customary presentκράζω: 'cry out, call aloud'; the heartfelt, urgent cry of the child to the Father.
ΑββαAbbavocative (transliterated Aramaic)Αββα: Aramaic 'father' — Jesus' own intimate address to God (Mark 14:36), now the believer's.
ὁtheNominativearticle (w/ vocative force)
πατήρFatherNominativenominative for vocative (apposition, Greek gloss of Abba)πατήρ: 'Father'; the Greek rendering of Abba — Aramaic and Greek together expressing the church's shared cry.
16
αὐτὸ τὸ πνεῦμα συμμαρτυρεῖ τῷ πνεύματι ἡμῶν ὅτι ἐσμὲν τέκνα θεοῦ.
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
The inner confirmation: God's own Spirit testifies together with our spirit to our status as God's children.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
αὐτὸhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (w/ τὸ πνεῦμα)αὐτός: 'self'; 'the Spirit himself' — emphatic, the divine witness in person.
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubjectπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit, co-witness to sonship.
συμμαρτυρεῖbears witness withPres Act Indic 3 Sg · συμμαρτυρέωmain verb→ customary presentσυμμαρτυρέω: 'testify together with, confirm' (σύν + μαρτυρέω); the Spirit's testimony joined to ours (or 'to our spirit').
τῷwith theDativearticle
πνεύματιspiritDativedat. of association (or indirect obj.)πνεῦμα: here the human spirit — the believer's own inner consciousness, to/with which the Spirit testifies.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
ἐσμὲνwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ stative present
τέκναchildrenNominativepredicate nominativeτέκνον: 'child' (cf. τίκτω, 'give birth'); 'children' — stressing birth/kinship (vs. the legal υἱός).
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of relationship
17
εἰ δὲ τέκνα, καὶ κληρονόμοι· κληρονόμοι μὲν θεοῦ, συγκληρονόμοι δὲ Χριστοῦ, εἴπερ συμπάσχομεν ἵνα καὶ συνδοξασθῶμεν.
And if children, then heirs — heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
The inheritance that sonship entails: children are heirs — heirs of God, co-heirs with Christ — sharing his suffering now, his glory then.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)
δὲandconnective conjunction
τέκναchildrenNominativepredicate nominative (verb implied)τέκνον: 'child'; the status just established.
καὶalso/thenadverbial
κληρονόμοιheirsNominativepredicate nominativeκληρονόμος: 'heir' (cf. 4:13–14); children inherit — the logic of sonship.
κληρονόμοιheirsNominativepredicate nominative
μὲνon the one handparticle (μέν … δέ)
θεοῦof GodGenitiveobjective genitive (heirs of God's inheritance)θεός: God; the inheritance is God himself and his glory.
συγκληρονόμοιfellow heirsNominativepredicate nominativeσυγκληρονόμος: 'co-heir, joint heir' (σύν + κληρονόμος); sharing Christ's own inheritance.
δὲand on the otherparticle (δέ answering μέν)
Χριστοῦwith ChristGenitivegenitive of associationΧριστός: 'Christ'; co-heirs with him — his inheritance shared.
εἴπερprovided/if indeedconjunction (conditional)εἴπερ: 'if indeed, provided that' (cf. v.9); the condition of shared suffering.
συμπάσχομενwe suffer withPres Act Indic 1 Pl · συμπάσχωmain verb→ customary presentσυμπάσχω: 'suffer together with' (σύν + πάσχω); sharing Christ's sufferings now (cf. v.18).
ἵναin order thatconjunction (purpose)
καὶalsoadverbial
συνδοξασθῶμενwe may be glorified withAor Pass Subj 1 Pl · συνδοξάζωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ constative aoristσυνδοξάζω: 'glorify together with' (σύν + δοξάζω); the goal — shared glory with Christ (the σύν-compounds bind believer to Christ; cf. ch. 6).
18
Λογίζομαι γὰρ ὅτι οὐκ ἄξια τὰ παθήματα τοῦ νῦν καιροῦ πρὸς τὴν μέλλουσαν δόξαν ἀποκαλυφθῆναι εἰς ἡμᾶς.
For I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
The reckoning that frames the section: present sufferings are featherweight against the coming glory soon to be unveiled in us.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ΛογίζομαιI consider/reckonPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · λογίζομαιmain verb→ customary presentλογίζομαι: 'reckon, consider, calculate' (cf. ch. 4); weighing the two in the balance.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἄξιαworthy/comparableNominativepredicate adjectiveἄξιος: 'worthy, of equal weight' (originally 'weighing as much'); the sufferings do not 'balance the scale' against the glory.
τὰtheNominativearticle
παθήματαsufferingsNominativesubjectπάθημα: 'suffering' (cf. πάσχω; 7:5); the afflictions of the present age.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
νῦνpresentadverb (attributive, 'present')νῦν: 'now'; ὁ νῦν καιρός = 'the present time' (cf. 3:26).
καιροῦtimeGenitivegenitive (of the sufferings' era)καιρός: 'time, season'; the present age of suffering, before glory.
πρὸςin comparison withpreposition + accusative (comparison)πρός + acc. of comparison: 'compared with, in proportion to.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
μέλλουσανabout to/comingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · μέλλωattributive participle→ present (impending)μέλλω: 'be about to, be destined'; the glory soon and certainly to come.
δόξανgloryAccusativeobject of πρόςδόξα: 'glory'; the coming splendor — far outweighing all suffering.
ἀποκαλυφθῆναιto be revealedAor Pass Inf · ἀποκαλύπτωepexegetical infinitive (of δόξαν)→ constative aoristἀποκαλύπτω: 'reveal, unveil' (cf. 1:17–18); the glory presently hidden, to be disclosed.
εἰςto/inpreposition + accusative (direction/reference)
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeobject of εἰς'unto us' — the glory revealed in and toward believers.
19
ἡ γὰρ ἀποκαραδοκία τῆς κτίσεως τὴν ἀποκάλυψιν τῶν υἱῶν τοῦ θεοῦ ἀπεκδέχεται.
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
Even the created order is caught up in the hope: it stretches forward in eager expectation for the day God's children are revealed in glory.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἡtheNominativearticle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἀποκαραδοκίαeager longingNominativesubjectἀποκαραδοκία: 'eager expectation, anxious watching' (lit. 'craning the head forward to watch'); a vivid picture of straining anticipation.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
κτίσεωςcreationGenitivesubjective genitiveκτίσις: 'creation, created order' (cf. 1:20, 25); the non-human world personified as longing.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀποκάλυψινrevealingAccusativedirect objectἀποκάλυψις: 'revelation, unveiling' (cf. v.18); the disclosure of the children in glory.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
υἱῶνsonsGenitiveobjective genitiveυἱός: 'son'; the glorified children of God, whose unveiling creation awaits.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἀπεκδέχεταιwaits eagerly forPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀπεκδέχομαιmain verb→ customary presentἀπεκδέχομαι: 'await eagerly, expect patiently' (ἀπό + ἐκ + δέχομαι); intense, sustained awaiting (a keyword: vv.19, 23, 25).
20
τῇ γὰρ ματαιότητι ἡ κτίσις ὑπετάγη, οὐχ ἑκοῦσα ἀλλὰ διὰ τὸν ὑποτάξαντα, ἐφ' ἑλπίδι
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope
Why creation groans: it was made subject to frustration — not by its own choice but by God's appointment — yet with hope built into the subjection.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
τῇtoDativearticle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ματαιότητιfutility/frustrationDativedat. (the state subjected to)ματαιότης: 'futility, emptiness, vanity' (cf. Eccl's 'vanity'; Rom 1:21); creation's bondage to purposelessness and decay since the Fall (Gen 3:17–19).
ἡtheNominativearticle
κτίσιςcreationNominativesubjectκτίσις: 'creation'; the created order, subjected against its nature.
ὑπετάγηwas subjectedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὑποτάσσωmain verb→ constative aoristὑποτάσσω: 'subject, place under' (cf. v.7); the divine passive — God subjected it at the Fall.
οὐχnotnegative particle
ἑκοῦσαwillinglyNominativepredicate adjective (of manner)ἑκών: 'willing, of one's own accord'; creation did not choose its bondage.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τὸνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ὑποτάξανταwho subjected itAor Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ὑποτάσσωsubstantival participle (object of διά)→ constative aoristὑποτάσσω: 'subject'; the subjector — God (most likely), who acted with a purpose of hope.
ἐφ'inpreposition + dative (basis/attendant circ.)ἐφ' ἑλπίδι: 'in/on hope' — the subjection was not hopeless.
ἑλπίδιhopeDativedat. (basis/attendant circumstance)ἐλπίς: 'hope' (cf. 5:2; 8:24); hope woven into the very subjection.
21
ὅτι καὶ αὐτὴ ἡ κτίσις ἐλευθερωθήσεται ἀπὸ τῆς δουλείας τῆς φθορᾶς εἰς τὴν ἐλευθερίαν τῆς δόξης τῶν τέκνων τοῦ θεοῦ.
that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
The content of that hope: creation itself will be liberated from corruption's slavery into the glorious freedom belonging to God's children.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of hope)ὅτι: here 'that' (the content of the hope of v.20), or 'because.'
καὶeven/alsoadverbial (ascensive)
αὐτὴitselfNominativeintensive pronoun (w/ κτίσις)αὐτός: 'self'; 'creation itself' — not just humanity, but the cosmos.
ἡtheNominativearticle
κτίσιςcreationNominativesubjectκτίσις: 'creation'; to share in redemption's freedom.
ἐλευθερωθήσεταιwill be set freeFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐλευθερόωmain verb→ predictive futureἐλευθερόω: 'set free, liberate' (cf. 6:18; 8:2); creation's coming emancipation.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
δουλείαςbondage/slaveryGenitiveobject of ἀπό (separation)δουλεία: 'slavery, bondage' (cf. v.15); creation's enslavement.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
φθορᾶςdecay/corruptionGenitiveattributive genitiveφθορά: 'decay, corruption, ruin' (cf. φθαρτός, 1:23); the slavery is to perishability and death.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἐλευθερίανfreedomAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)ἐλευθερία: 'freedom, liberty' (cf. ἐλεύθερος); the goal — glorious liberty.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
δόξηςgloryGenitiveattributive genitiveδόξα: 'glory'; 'the freedom that belongs to the glory' of God's children.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
τέκνωνchildrenGenitivepossessive genitiveτέκνον: 'child'; the glory and freedom destined for God's children, in which creation shares.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship
22
οἴδαμεν γὰρ ὅτι πᾶσα ἡ κτίσις συστενάζει καὶ συνωδίνει ἄχρι τοῦ νῦν·
For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
The shared experience: all creation has been groaning and travailing together, as in labor, right up to the present.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
οἴδαμενwe knowPerf Act Indic 1 Pl (pres. sense) · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect w/ present forceοἶδα: 'know'; shared, settled knowledge.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
πᾶσαwhole/allNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all, whole'; the entire created order together.
ἡtheNominativearticle
κτίσιςcreationNominativesubjectκτίσις: 'creation'; the cosmos as a unity.
συστενάζειgroans togetherPres Act Indic 3 Sg · συστενάζωmain verb→ present (ongoing)συστενάζω: 'groan together' (σύν + στενάζω); the whole creation joined in one chorus of groaning.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
συνωδίνειsuffers labor pains togetherPres Act Indic 3 Sg · συνωδίνωmain verb→ present (ongoing)συνωδίνω: 'be in birth pangs together' (σύν + ὠδίνω, 'travail'); the groaning is productive — labor toward new birth, not mere despair.
ἄχριuntilpreposition + genitive (time)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (substantizes adv.)
νῦνnowadverb (substantized, 'the present')ἄχρι τοῦ νῦν: 'until now' — the ongoing groaning of the present age.
23
οὐ μόνον δέ, ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτοὶ τὴν ἀπαρχὴν τοῦ πνεύματος ἔχοντες ἡμεῖς καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐν ἑαυτοῖς στενάζομεν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπεκδεχόμενοι, τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν τοῦ σώματος ἡμῶν.
And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Believers share creation's groan: having the Spirit as down payment, we too groan within, awaiting the full reality of adoption — our bodies' redemption.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
οὐnotnegative particle
μόνονonlyadverbοὐ μόνον δέ, ἀλλὰ καί: 'and not only so, but also' (cf. 5:3, 11).
δέandconnective conjunction
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
καὶalsoadverbial
αὐτοὶourselvesNominativeintensive pronounαὐτός: 'self'; 'we ourselves' — even believers, not just creation.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀπαρχὴνfirstfruitsAccusativedirect object of ἔχοντεςἀπαρχή: 'firstfruits, first installment' (the first part of the harvest, pledge of the rest); the Spirit as the down payment of full redemption.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitivegenitive of apposition (the Spirit = the firstfruits)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the present possession that guarantees the future.
ἔχοντεςhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔχωadverbial/attributive participle (concessive/causal)→ present (ongoing)ἔχω: 'have'; though already having the Spirit, we still groan — already/not-yet.
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic, resumptive)
καὶevenadverbial
αὐτοὶourselvesNominativeintensive pronoun (resumptive)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
ἑαυτοῖςourselvesDativereflexive (object of ἐν)'within ourselves' — the groaning is inward.
στενάζομενwe groanPres Act Indic 1 Pl · στενάζωmain verb→ customary presentστενάζω: 'groan, sigh' (cf. συστενάζει, v.22); the believer's inward groaning under present incompleteness.
υἱοθεσίανadoptionAccusativedirect object of ἀπεκδεχόμενοιυἱοθεσία: 'adoption' (cf. v.15); here its future consummation — though already sons, we await the full reality.
ἀπεκδεχόμενοιwaiting eagerly forPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀπεκδέχομαιadverbial participle (manner)→ present (ongoing)ἀπεκδέχομαι: 'await eagerly' (cf. v.19); the same intense awaiting as creation's.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀπολύτρωσινredemptionAccusativeapposition to υἱοθεσίανἀπολύτρωσις: 'redemption, release by ransom' (cf. 3:24); adoption defined as the body's redemption.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
σώματοςbodyGenitiveobjective genitiveσῶμα: 'body'; the mortal body, to be redeemed/resurrected (cf. v.11).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
24
τῇ γὰρ ἐλπίδι ἐσώθημεν· ἐλπὶς δὲ βλεπομένη οὐκ ἔστιν ἐλπίς, ὃ γὰρ βλέπει τίς ἐλπίζει;
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he sees?
The structure of salvation as hope: we were saved 'in hope,' and hope by definition reaches toward the unseen — what is seen is no longer hoped for.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
τῇinDativearticle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐλπίδιhopeDativedat. of manner/referenceἐλπίς: 'hope' (cf. v.20); the mode in which salvation is presently held — 'in hope.'
ἐσώθημενwe were savedAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · σῴζωmain verb→ constative aoristσῴζω: 'save' (cf. 5:9–10); the past-accomplished salvation, with a future not-yet dimension.
ἐλπὶςhopeNominativesubjectἐλπίς: 'hope'; now defined by its object — the unseen.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
βλεπομένηseenPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · βλέπωattributive participle→ present (ongoing)βλέπω: 'see'; hope's object, if already visible, would cancel hope.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ gnomic present
ἐλπίςhopeNominativepredicate nominativeἐλπίς: 'hope'; by definition oriented to the unseen future.
ὃwhatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of βλέπει)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
βλέπειseesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · βλέπωmain verb (rel. clause)→ gnomic presentβλέπω: 'see'; what one already sees, one no longer hopes for.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)
ἐλπίζειhopes forPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐλπίζωmain verb→ gnomic presentἐλπίζω: 'hope'; the rhetorical question — no one hopes for the visible.
25
εἰ δὲ ὃ οὐ βλέπομεν ἐλπίζομεν, δι' ὑπομονῆς ἀπεκδεχόμεθα.
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
The fitting posture: hoping for the unseen, we wait with steadfast endurance — the very endurance suffering produces (5:3–4).
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ὃwhatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of βλέπομεν/ἐλπίζομεν)
οὐnotnegative particle
βλέπομενwe seePres Act Indic 1 Pl · βλέπωmain verb (rel. clause)→ customary presentβλέπω: 'see'; the object remains unseen.
ἐλπίζομενwe hope forPres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἐλπίζωmain verb (protasis)→ customary presentἐλπίζω: 'hope'; hoping for the invisible future.
δι'with/throughpreposition + genitive (manner)δι' ὑπομονῆς: 'with patience, through endurance' — the manner of the waiting.
ὑπομονῆςpatience/enduranceGenitiveobject of διά (manner)ὑπομονή: 'patient endurance, steadfastness' (cf. 5:3–4); the disposition that sustains hope.
ἀπεκδεχόμεθαwe wait eagerlyPres Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἀπεκδέχομαιmain verb (apodosis)→ customary presentἀπεκδέχομαι: 'await eagerly' (cf. vv.19, 23); the eager-yet-patient awaiting that marks the whole section.
26
Ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα συναντιλαμβάνεται τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ ἡμῶν· τὸ γὰρ τί προσευξώμεθα καθὸ δεῖ οὐκ οἴδαμεν, ἀλλὰ αὐτὸ τὸ πνεῦμα ὑπερεντυγχάνει στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις,
In the same way, the Spirit also helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Amid the groaning, divine help: the Spirit takes hold alongside our weakness, interceding for us — even in our ignorance of how to pray — with inexpressible groans.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
Ὡσαύτωςin the same wayadverb (correspondence)ὡσαύτως: 'likewise, in the same way'; the Spirit's help parallels the hope just described.
δὲandconnective conjunction
καὶalsoadverbial
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubjectπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Helper in prayer and weakness.
συναντιλαμβάνεταιhelps/comes to aidPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · συναντιλαμβάνομαιmain verb→ customary presentσυναντιλαμβάνομαι: 'take hold together with, help, lend a hand' (σύν + ἀντί + λαμβάνομαι); the Spirit grasps the load alongside us (cf. Luke 10:40).
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀσθενείᾳweaknessDativedat. (the thing helped with)ἀσθένεια: 'weakness, frailty' (cf. 6:19); our inability, especially in prayer.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
τὸthe (matter)Accusativearticle (substantizes the indir. question)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of προσευξώμεθα)
προσευξώμεθαwe should prayAor Mid Subj 1 Pl · προσεύχομαιdeliberative subjunctive (indir. question)→ constative aoristπροσεύχομαι: 'pray'; what to pray for — we do not know.
καθὸasconjunction (manner)καθό: 'as, according to what'; 'as we ought.'
δεῖit is necessary/oughtPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb→ gnomic presentδεῖ: 'it is necessary, one ought'; the proper measure of prayer, which eludes us.
οὐκnotnegative particle
οἴδαμενwe knowPerf Act Indic 1 Pl (pres. sense) · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect w/ present forceοἶδα: 'know'; our ignorance — the very point at which the Spirit helps.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
αὐτὸhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (w/ τὸ πνεῦμα)αὐτός: 'self'; 'the Spirit himself' (cf. v.16) — emphatic.
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubject
ὑπερεντυγχάνειintercedesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑπερεντυγχάνωmain verb→ customary presentὑπερεντυγχάνω: 'intercede, plead on behalf of' (ὑπέρ + ἐν + τυγχάνω); a rare/coined word — the Spirit pleads our case (cf. v.27, 34).
στεναγμοῖςwith groaningsDativedat. of meansστεναγμός: 'groaning, sigh' (cf. στενάζω, v.23); the means of the intercession — wordless groans.
ἀλαλήτοιςwordless/inexpressibleDativeattributive adjectiveἀλάλητος: 'unspoken, inexpressible' (ἀ- + λαλέω, 'speak'); groans beyond articulate speech.
27
ὁ δὲ ἐραυνῶν τὰς καρδίας οἶδεν τί τὸ φρόνημα τοῦ πνεύματος, ὅτι κατὰ θεὸν ἐντυγχάνει ὑπὲρ ἁγίων.
And he who searches hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
The intercession is heard: the heart-searching God knows the Spirit's intent, for the Spirit pleads for the saints exactly in line with God's will.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δὲandconnective conjunction
ἐραυνῶνwho searchesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐραυνάωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary (characteristic)ἐραυνάω: 'search, examine' (cf. Ps 139:1); God who probes the heart's depths.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
καρδίαςheartsAccusativedirect objectκαρδία: 'heart'; the inner self, fully open to God.
οἶδενknowsPerf Act Indic 3 Sg (pres. sense) · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect w/ present forceοἶδα: 'know'; God fully understands the Spirit's wordless groans.
τίwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate)
τὸtheNominativearticle
φρόνημαmind/intentNominativesubject (of indir. question)φρόνημα: 'mindset, intent' (cf. vv.6–7); here the Spirit's purpose in interceding.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitivepossessive genitiveπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; whose mind God reads perfectly.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm)κατὰ θεόν: 'according to God,' i.e. in accordance with God's will.
θεὸνGodAccusativeobject of κατά (norm)
ἐντυγχάνειintercedesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐντυγχάνωmain verb→ customary presentἐντυγχάνω: 'plead, intercede, appeal' (cf. v.26, 34); the Spirit's advocacy — always aligned with God's will, hence always heard.
ὑπὲρfor/on behalf ofpreposition + genitive (advantage)
ἁγίωνthe saintsGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ (substantival adj.)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint' (cf. 1:7); believers, for whom the Spirit pleads.
28
οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι τοῖς ἀγαπῶσιν τὸν θεὸν πάντα συνεργεῖ εἰς ἀγαθόν, τοῖς κατὰ πρόθεσιν κλητοῖς οὖσιν.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
The settled assurance: for those who love God — called according to his purpose — God makes everything converge toward their good.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
οἴδαμενwe knowPerf Act Indic 1 Pl (pres. sense) · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect w/ present forceοἶδα: 'know'; confident, settled knowledge (cf. v.22).
δὲandconnective conjunction
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
τοῖςfor thoseDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀγαπῶσινwho lovePres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ἀγαπάωsubstantival participle (dat. of advantage)→ customary (characteristic)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the human side — those who love God (defined further as the called).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεὸνGodAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπῶσιν
πάνταall thingsNominativesubject (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all'; everything, including the sufferings of v.18 — a textual variant makes 'God' the explicit subject ('God works all things').
συνεργεῖworks togetherPres Act Indic 3 Sg · συνεργέωmain verb→ gnomic presentσυνεργέω: 'work together, cooperate' (σύν + ἔργον; cf. 'synergy'); all things made to collaborate toward good (God the implied or, by variant, explicit worker).
εἰςfor/untopreposition + accusative (goal/result)
ἀγαθόνgoodAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)ἀγαθός: 'good'; the believers' ultimate good — conformity to Christ and glory (vv.29–30).
τοῖςfor thoseDativearticle (apposition to τοῖς ἀγαπῶσιν)
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm)
πρόθεσινpurposeAccusativeobject of κατά (norm)πρόθεσις: 'purpose, plan, setting forth' (cf. προτίθημι, 3:25); God's sovereign design grounding the calling.
κλητοῖςcalledDativepredicate adjectiveκλητός: 'called' (cf. 1:1, 6–7); the effectual calling, defining 'those who love God.'
οὖσινwho arePres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · εἰμίsubstantival participle (apposition)→ present (ongoing)εἰμί: 'be'; 'those who are called according to purpose.'
29
ὅτι οὓς προέγνω, καὶ προώρισεν συμμόρφους τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, εἰς τὸ εἶναι αὐτὸν πρωτότοκον ἐν πολλοῖς ἀδελφοῖς·
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
The 'purpose' unfolded: those God foreknew he predestined to bear his Son's image, so that the Son would be firstborn of a great family.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
ὅτιfor/becausecausal conjunctionὅτι: grounding v.28's assurance in God's eternal plan.
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of προέγνω)
προέγνωhe foreknewAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προγινώσκωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristπρογινώσκω: 'know beforehand' (προ + γινώσκω); often a relational 'fore-loved, fore-chose' (Hebraic 'know'), more than mere foresight.
καὶalsoadverbial
προώρισενhe predestinedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προορίζωmain verb→ constative aoristπροορίζω: 'predestine, mark out beforehand' (προ + ὁρίζω, 'appoint'; cf. 1:4); God's prior determination of their destiny.
συμμόρφουςconformedAccusativepredicate accusativeσύμμορφος: 'sharing the form of, conformed to' (σύν + μορφή); destined to be molded to the very form of the Son.
τῆςto theGenitivearticle
εἰκόνοςimageGenitivegenitive (w/ συμμόρφους)εἰκών: 'image, likeness' (cf. 1:23); restored to bear the image of the Son — the goal of redemption.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
υἱοῦSonGenitivegenitive of possessionυἱός: 'Son'; whose image believers are conformed to.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
εἰςin order thatpreposition + articular inf. (purpose)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes inf.)
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίarticular inf. of purpose→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the ultimate aim — the Son's preeminence in the redeemed family.
αὐτὸνhe/himAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive
πρωτότοκονfirstbornAccusativepredicate accusativeπρωτότοκος: 'firstborn' (πρῶτος + τίκτω); the Son as preeminent heir and eldest brother of the redeemed.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
πολλοῖςmanyDativeattributive adjective
ἀδελφοῖςbrothersDativedat. of sphereἀδελφός: 'brother'; the great family of the conformed — the Son's siblings by adoption.
30
οὓς δὲ προώρισεν, τούτους καὶ ἐκάλεσεν· καὶ οὓς ἐκάλεσεν, τούτους καὶ ἐδικαίωσεν· οὓς δὲ ἐδικαίωσεν, τούτους καὶ ἐδόξασεν.
And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
The unbreakable sequence of salvation, link by link: predestined → called → justified → glorified — each stage embracing exactly the same people, the last stated as already done.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of προώρισεν)
δὲandconnective conjunction
προώρισενhe predestinedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προορίζωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristπροορίζω: 'predestine' (cf. v.29); the first named link.
τούτουςtheseAccusativedemonstrative (resumptive object)
καὶalsoadverbial
ἐκάλεσενhe calledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call' (cf. v.28); the effectual summons into salvation.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun
ἐκάλεσενhe calledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aorist
τούτουςtheseAccusativedemonstrative (resumptive object)
καὶalsoadverbial
ἐδικαίωσενhe justifiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δικαιόωmain verb→ constative aoristδικαιόω: 'justify, declare righteous' (the letter's keyword); the verdict of acquittal.
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun
δὲandconnective conjunction
ἐδικαίωσενhe justifiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δικαιόωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aorist
τούτουςtheseAccusativedemonstrative (resumptive object)
καὶalsoadverbial
ἐδόξασενhe glorifiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δοξάζωmain verb→ proleptic (anticipatory) aoristδοξάζω: 'glorify' (cf. δόξα); strikingly past tense for a future reality — so certain it is spoken as done.
31
Τί οὖν ἐροῦμεν πρὸς ταῦτα; εἰ ὁ θεὸς ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, τίς καθ' ἡμῶν;
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
The soaring peroration begins: in light of all this, if God himself is on our side, no opponent can finally prevail.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ΤίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of ἐροῦμεν)
οὖνtheninferential conjunctionΤί οὖν ἐροῦμεν;: 'what shall we say then?' (cf. 6:1; 7:7) — now in triumph.
ἐροῦμενshall we sayFut Act Indic 1 Pl · λέγωmain verb (deliberative)→ deliberative future
πρὸςto/in view ofpreposition + accusative (reference)
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedemonstrative (object of πρός)ταῦτα: 'these things' — the whole argument of vv.1–30.
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)εἰ: 'if' — assumed true: 'since God is for us.'
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
ὑπὲρfor/on behalf ofpreposition + genitive (advantage)ὑπέρ + gen.: 'on our side, for us.'
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)τίς: 'who?'; the first of a series of unanswerable rhetorical questions.
καθ'againstpreposition + genitive (opposition)κατά + gen.: 'against' — no effective adversary.
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of κατά
32
ὅς γε τοῦ ἰδίου υἱοῦ οὐκ ἐφείσατο, ἀλλὰ ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν πάντων παρέδωκεν αὐτόν, πῶς οὐχὶ καὶ σὺν αὐτῷ τὰ πάντα ἡμῖν χαρίσεται;
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things?
The supreme a fortiori: the God who did not withhold his own Son will surely, with that gift, lavish every other good on us.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ὅςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (refers to God)
γεindeedemphatic particleγε: 'indeed, at least'; intensifying — 'the very one who…'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἰδίουhis ownGenitiveattributive adjectiveἴδιος: 'one's own'; 'his own Son' — echoing Gen 22:16 (Abraham and Isaac); the costliness stressed.
υἱοῦSonGenitivegenitive (object of ἐφείσατο)υἱός: 'Son'; the Father's own Son, not spared.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐφείσατοdid spareAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · φείδομαιmain verb→ constative aoristφείδομαι: 'spare, refrain from'; God did not hold back his Son (Gen 22:12, 16 LXX of Isaac).
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (advantage)
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; for the benefit of all of us.
παρέδωκενgave up/deliveredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, deliver up' (cf. 4:25); the Father delivered the Son to death for us.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object
πῶςhowinterrogative adverb
οὐχὶ(will he) notinterrogative particle (expects 'yes')οὐχί: emphatic — expecting strong affirmation.
καὶalsoadverbial
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (association)σὺν αὐτῷ: 'along with him' — the greater gift carries all lesser ones.
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of σύν
τὰtheAccusativearticle
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all'; everything needed for salvation and glory.
ἡμῖνto usDativeindirect object
χαρίσεταιwill freely giveFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · χαρίζομαιmain verb→ predictive futureχαρίζομαι: 'give graciously, bestow freely' (cf. χάρις); the gift is gracious, not owed.
33
τίς ἐγκαλέσει κατὰ ἐκλεκτῶν θεοῦ; θεὸς ὁ δικαιῶν·
Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.
The first courtroom question: no prosecutor can indict God's chosen — for the Judge himself has already acquitted them.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)τίς: 'who?'; the courtroom challenge — is there an accuser?
ἐγκαλέσειwill bring a chargeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐγκαλέωmain verb→ predictive futureἐγκαλέω: 'accuse, bring a legal charge against' (ἐν + καλέω); a judicial indictment.
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (opposition)
ἐκλεκτῶνthe elect/chosenGenitiveobject of κατά (substantival adj.)ἐκλεκτός: 'chosen, elect' (cf. ἐκλέγομαι); God's chosen people, beyond accusation.
θεοῦof GodGenitivepossessive genitive
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God — the Judge, who pronounces the verdict.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δικαιῶνwho justifiesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · δικαιόωsubstantival participle (predicate)→ customary (characteristic)δικαιόω: 'justify, acquit' (cf. 3:26); God himself is the acquitting Judge — so no charge can stand.
34
τίς ὁ κατακρινῶν; Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς ὁ ἀποθανών, μᾶλλον δὲ ἐγερθείς, ὃς καί ἐστιν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θεοῦ, ὃς καὶ ἐντυγχάνει ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν.
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
The second courtroom question: no one can condemn — for the only possible Judge, Christ, is the one who died, rose, reigns, and pleads for us.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)τίς: 'who?'; is there a condemner?
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
κατακρινῶνwho will condemnFut Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κατακρίνωsubstantival participle (predicate)→ predictive futureκατακρίνω: 'condemn' (cf. v.3; 'no condemnation,' v.1); the future participle — 'the one who will condemn,' if any could.
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubjectΧριστός: 'Christ'; the only possible judge — and he is our advocate, not accuser.
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativeapposition
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀποθανώνwho diedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποθνῄσκωsubstantival participle (apposition)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the first ground of acquittal — his atoning death.
μᾶλλονmore/ratheradverb (comparative)μᾶλλον δέ: 'more than that, rather' — the resurrection surpasses even the death as ground of confidence.
δὲandconnective conjunction
ἐγερθείςwho was raisedAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐγείρωsubstantival participle (apposition)→ constative aoristἐγείρω: 'raise'; his resurrection — vindication and life (cf. 4:25).
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun
καίindeedadverbial (emphatic)
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ stative present
ἐνatpreposition + dative (place)
δεξιᾷthe right handDativedat. of placeδεξιά: 'right hand'; the place of honor and authority (Ps 110:1) — Christ enthroned.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun
καὶindeed/alsoadverbial (emphatic)
ἐντυγχάνειintercedesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐντυγχάνωmain verb→ customary presentἐντυγχάνω: 'intercede, plead' (cf. v.27); the exalted Christ pleads for us — as the Spirit does within (v.26).
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (advantage)
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
35
τίς ἡμᾶς χωρίσει ἀπὸ τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ Χριστοῦ; θλῖψις ἢ στενοχωρία ἢ διωγμὸς ἢ λιμὸς ἢ γυμνότης ἢ κίνδυνος ἢ μάχαιρα;
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
The climactic question and its seven trials: nothing in the catalogue of affliction can sever us from Christ's love.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)τίς: 'who?'; the great question of the chapter's close.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
χωρίσειshall separateFut Act Indic 3 Sg · χωρίζωmain verb→ predictive futureχωρίζω: 'separate, divide, part' (cf. χωρίς); to sunder from Christ's love — shown impossible.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἀγάπηςloveGenitiveobject of ἀπό (separation)ἀγάπη: 'love'; Christ's love for us — the unbreakable bond.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivesubjective genitive (Christ's love for us)
θλῖψιςtribulationNominativesubject (first of seven)θλῖψις: 'tribulation, pressure' (cf. 5:3); the first of seven hostile forces.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
στενοχωρίαdistressNominativesubjectστενοχωρία: 'distress, anguish' (lit. 'narrow place,' στενός + χώρα); being hemmed in.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
διωγμὸςpersecutionNominativesubjectδιωγμός: 'persecution' (cf. διώκω, 'pursue'); hostile pursuit for the faith.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
λιμὸςfamineNominativesubjectλιμός: 'famine, hunger'; deprivation of food.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
γυμνότηςnakednessNominativesubjectγυμνότης: 'nakedness, destitution' (cf. γυμνός); lack of clothing/shelter.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
κίνδυνοςdangerNominativesubjectκίνδυνος: 'danger, peril'; threat to life.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
μάχαιραswordNominativesubjectμάχαιρα: 'sword'; the executioner's blade — martyrdom itself.
36
καθὼς γέγραπται ὅτι Ἕνεκεν σοῦ θανατούμεθα ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν, ἐλογίσθημεν ὡς πρόβατα σφαγῆς.
As it is written: 'For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.'
Scripture itself voices the believer's lot (Ps 44:22): for God's sake we face death all day long, counted as slaughter-sheep — yet (v.37) we conquer.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καθὼςascomparative conjunction (citation formula)
γέγραπταιit is writtenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · γράφωmain verb (citation formula)→ intensive perfect (standing record)γράφω: 'it stands written'; introducing Ps 44:22 (LXX 43:23).
ὅτιthatconjunction (introduces citation)
Ἕνεκενfor the sake ofpreposition + genitive (cause)ἕνεκεν: 'on account of, for the sake of'; suffering 'for your sake' — God's.
σοῦyouGenitiveobject of ἕνεκεν
θανατούμεθαwe are put to deathPres Pass Indic 1 Pl · θανατόωmain verb (citation)→ present (ongoing)θανατόω: 'put to death' (cf. 7:4; 8:13); continual exposure to death.
ὅληνwhole/allAccusativeattributive adjective
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative of durationἡμέρα: 'day'; ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν = 'all day long' — relentless danger.
ἐλογίσθημενwe are regarded/countedAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · λογίζομαιmain verb (citation)→ constative aoristλογίζομαι: 'reckon, regard' (cf. ch. 4); reckoned as good as dead — slaughter-sheep.
ὡςascomparative particle
πρόβαταsheepNominativepredicate nominative (in comparison)πρόβατον: 'sheep'; helpless animals destined for killing.
σφαγῆςof slaughterGenitiveattributive genitiveσφαγή: 'slaughter, butchering' (cf. σφάζω); sheep marked for the knife.
37
ἀλλ' ἐν τούτοις πᾶσιν ὑπερνικῶμεν διὰ τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντος ἡμᾶς.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
The defiant reversal: in the very midst of all these trials we do not merely survive — we overwhelmingly conquer, through the one who loved us.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
ἀλλ'no/butadversative conjunctionἀλλά: strong 'but, on the contrary' — overturning the slaughter-sheep image.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
τούτοιςthese thingsDativedemonstrative (object of ἐν)
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; in the midst of all the trials of v.35.
ὑπερνικῶμενwe are more than conquerorsPres Act Indic 1 Pl · ὑπερνικάωmain verb→ customary presentὑπερνικάω: 'be utterly victorious, conquer overwhelmingly' (ὑπέρ + νικάω); a coined superlative — 'we hyper-conquer.'
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (agency)
τοῦthe (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀγαπήσαντοςwho lovedAor Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · ἀγαπάωsubstantival participle (object of διά)→ constative aoristἀγαπάω: 'love'; Christ (or God), whose love is the source of the victory.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπήσαντος
38
πέπεισμαι γὰρ ὅτι οὔτε θάνατος οὔτε ζωὴ οὔτε ἄγγελοι οὔτε ἀρχαὶ οὔτε ἐνεστῶτα οὔτε μέλλοντα οὔτε δυνάμεις
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
Paul's settled certainty, in a sweeping catalogue: no cosmic power or condition — death, life, angels, rulers, present, future, powers — can sever the bond.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
πέπεισμαιI am convincedPerf Pass Indic 1 Sg · πείθωmain verb→ intensive perfect (settled conviction)πείθω (pass.): 'be persuaded, be convinced'; the perfect — a settled, abiding certainty.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
οὔτεneithernegative correlativeοὔτε … οὔτε: 'neither … nor' — the long anaphoric list of would-be separators.
θάνατοςdeathNominativesubjectθάνατος: 'death'; the great enemy — yet powerless to separate.
οὔτεnornegative correlative
ζωὴlifeNominativesubjectζωή: 'life'; neither death nor life, the two extremes of existence.
οὔτεnornegative correlative
ἄγγελοιangelsNominativesubjectἄγγελος: 'angel, messenger'; spiritual beings, however exalted.
οὔτεnornegative correlative
ἀρχαὶrulersNominativesubjectἀρχή: 'ruler, principality, power' (cf. Eph 6:12); spiritual authorities.
οὔτεnornegative correlative
ἐνεστῶταthings presentPerf Act Ptc · Nom Pl Neut · ἐνίστημιsubstantival participle (subject)→ intensive perfect (present-standing)ἐνίστημι: 'be present, stand at hand'; 'the present things' — the now.
οὔτεnornegative correlative
μέλλονταthings to comePres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Neut · μέλλωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (impending)μέλλω: 'be about to'; 'the coming things' — the future.
οὔτεnornegative correlative
δυνάμειςpowersNominativesubjectδύναμις: 'power' (cf. 1:16); here spiritual or cosmic powers.
39
οὔτε ὕψωμα οὔτε βάθος οὔτε τις κτίσις ἑτέρα δυνήσεται ἡμᾶς χωρίσαι ἀπὸ τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ θεοῦ τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν.
nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The list closes and the chapter crests: not height, depth, nor any created thing can part us from the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
οὔτεnornegative correlative
ὕψωμαheightNominativesubjectὕψωμα: 'height, exalted place' (cf. ὕψος); perhaps an astronomical/astrological term — the heights of the heavens.
οὔτεnornegative correlative
βάθοςdepthNominativesubjectβάθος: 'depth'; the counterpart to height — the cosmic depths; together, the whole vertical universe.
οὔτεnornegative correlative
τιςanyNominativeindefinite pronoun (attributive)
κτίσιςcreature/created thingNominativesubjectκτίσις: 'creation, created thing' (cf. v.19); a catch-all — 'any other created thing whatever.'
ἑτέραotherNominativeattributive adjectiveἕτερος: 'other, another'; sweeping in anything not already named.
δυνήσεταιwill be ableFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb→ predictive futureδύναμαι: 'be able'; nothing will have the power to separate.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of χωρίσαι
χωρίσαιto separateAor Act Inf · χωρίζωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristχωρίζω: 'separate' (cf. v.35); the impossible feat.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἀγάπηςloveGenitiveobject of ἀπό (separation)ἀγάπη: 'love'; now 'the love of God' (v.35 had 'of Christ') — the two are one.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivesubjective genitive (God's love for us)
τῆςthe (which is)Genitivearticle (attributive, w/ prep. phrase)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/locus)
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (locus of the love)ἐν Χριστῷ: the love of God reaches us 'in Christ Jesus' — the chapter ends where it began (v.1).
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition
τῷtheDativearticle
κυρίῳLordDativeapposition (title)κύριος: 'Lord'; the section and the great argument of chs. 5–8 close on 'our Lord' (cf. 5:21; 6:23; 7:25).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship