King James Version

What Does Romans 8:32 Mean?

Romans 8:32 in the King James Version says “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all thing... — study this verse from Romans chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8:32 · KJV


Context

30

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather , that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all (hós ge toû idíou huioû ouk epheísato, allà hypèr hēmōn pántōn parédōken autón)—Toû idíou huioû ("his own Son") emphasizes intimacy and preciousness—not a created being but the eternally beloved Son. Ouk epheísato ("spared not") recalls Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:12, 16 LXX: "you have not withheld your son, your only son"). God did what Abraham was spared from doing—gave up His unique Son. Parédōken ("delivered up") is judicial: handed over to death (Isaiah 53:6, 12).

How shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (pōs ouchì kaì sỳn autō̂ tà pánta hēmîn charísetai)—The argument is a fortiori (from greater to lesser): if God gave the supremely costly gift (His Son), will He not give lesser gifts? Charísetai ("freely give") is grace-language—unearned favor. Tà pánta ("all things") includes everything necessary for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), ultimate glorification (v. 30), and eternal joy. If He paid the infinite cost (His Son), He won't withhold any good (Psalm 84:11).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Christological focus—God giving His "own Son"—grounds assurance in objective historical event (the Cross), not subjective feelings. Medieval Catholic theology could make assurance conditional on merit and penance; Reformation theology grounds assurance in Christ's finished work, not our performance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Cross (God not sparing His own Son) prove He will give "all things" needed for salvation's completion?
  2. What specific "all things" are you tempted to doubt God will provide?
  3. How does understanding Christ's death as the Father's "delivery" deepen appreciation for both Father and Son?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
ὅς1 of 22

He that

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

γε2 of 22
G1065

doubtless, since

τοῦ3 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἰδίου4 of 22

his own

G2398

pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate

υἱοῦ5 of 22

Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

οὐκ6 of 22

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐφείσατο7 of 22

spared

G5339

to be chary of, i.e., (subjectively) to abstain or (objectively) to treat leniently

ἀλλ'8 of 22

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ὑπὲρ9 of 22

for

G5228

"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super

ἡμῶν10 of 22

us

G2257

of (or from) us

πάντα11 of 22

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

παρέδωκεν12 of 22

delivered

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

αὐτῷ13 of 22

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

πῶς14 of 22

how

G4459

an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!

οὐχὶ15 of 22

not

G3780

not indeed

καὶ16 of 22

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

σὺν17 of 22

with

G4862

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

αὐτῷ18 of 22

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὰ19 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πάντα20 of 22

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἡμῖν21 of 22

us

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

χαρίσεται22 of 22

freely give

G5483

to grant as a favor, i.e., gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 8:32 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 8:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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