King James Version

What Does Romans 8:35 Mean?

Romans 8:35 in the King James Version says “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, ... — study this verse from Romans chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:35 · KJV


Context

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.

35

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Tís hēmâs chōrísei apò tēs agápēs toû Christoû)—Chōrízō means separate, divide, put space between. Paul asks: what can sever believers from Christ's love? The question shifts from legal standing (vv. 31-34) to relational union. Christ's love isn't mere affection but covenant commitment, electing grace that chose us in eternity and saves us in time.

Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (thlîpsis ḕ stenochōría ḕ diōgmòs ḕ limòs ḕ gumnótēs ḕ kíndunos ḕ máchaira)—Paul lists seven trials believers face: thlîpsis (pressure, affliction), stenochōría (distress, being hemmed in), diōgmós (persecution), limós (famine), gumnótēs (nakedness, destitution), kíndunos (danger), máchaira (sword, violent death). These aren't hypotheticals—Paul experienced all (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). The implied answer: none can separate from Christ's love.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul wrote during relative peace (AD 57), but Nero's persecution began AD 64. Within a decade, Christians faced sword and flame. Tradition says Paul was beheaded, Peter crucified. Their confidence wasn't naive optimism but tested faith: suffering doesn't prove God's absence but provides opportunity to experience His sustaining love.

Reflection Questions

  1. Which of the seven trials listed have you experienced—how did you sense Christ's love in the midst?
  2. How does Christ's love differ from human affection that often depends on circumstances?
  3. What does it mean that suffering cannot separate from Christ's love—how is love demonstrated through trials?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
τίς1 of 21

Who

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἡμᾶς2 of 21

us

G2248

us

χωρίσει3 of 21

shall separate

G5563

to place room between, i.e., part; reflexively, to go away

ἀπὸ4 of 21

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῆς5 of 21
G3588

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

ἀγάπης6 of 21

the love

G26

love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

τοῦ7 of 21
G3588

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

Χριστοῦ8 of 21

of Christ

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

θλῖψις9 of 21

shall tribulation

G2347

pressure (literally or figuratively)

10 of 21

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

στενοχωρία11 of 21

distress

G4730

narrowness of room, i.e., (figuratively) calamity

12 of 21

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

διωγμὸς13 of 21

persecution

G1375

persecution

14 of 21

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

λιμὸς15 of 21

famine

G3042

a scarcity of food

16 of 21

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

γυμνότης17 of 21

nakedness

G1132

nudity (absolute or comparative)

18 of 21

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

κίνδυνος19 of 21

peril

G2794

danger

20 of 21

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

μάχαιρα21 of 21

sword

G3162

a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment


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 8:35 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 8:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study