Chapter # 8 Paragraph # 5 Study # 6
September 10, 2017
Humble, Texas
(112)
1769 Translation:
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.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1901 ASV Translation:
36 Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- I. Paul's Declaration of the "Old" Normal.
- A. Paul's argument is "Just as it stands written...".
- B. The quote from Psalm 44:22.
- 1. The sections of the psalm.
- a. 44:1-8 The past actions of God and the present commitment of the psalmist to trust.
- 1) The reports from the fairly distant past about how God took action on behalf of "our fathers" on the basis of His initiative and grace.
- 2) The consequent determination of the psalmist to depend upon God, "My King" for the ability to "save us from our enemies".
- 3) "In God we boast all the day long..."
- b. 44:9-16 The present actions of God and the psalmist's confusion of face.
- 1) The litany of present complaints that "...You have cast us off...make us turn back from our enemies...have given us like sheep for meat...scattered us among the nations...sell your people...make us a reproach...make us a byword among the nations...".
- 2) The psalmist's "confusion" and "shame of face" because the enemies reproach and blaspheme.
- c. 44:17-21 The psalmist's claim of faithfulness to God in the face of His treatment of him.
- 1) The psalmist's claims that "we have not forgotten Thee", nor have our hearts "turned back", nor have our steps "declined from Thy way".
- 2) The recognition that God would know if His people had turned to a different god.
- d. 44:22-26 The psalmist's circumstances and appeal to the Lord to wake up and help him.
- 1) "For Your sake" are we killed "all the day long" and "counted as sheep for the slaughter".
- 2) An appeal for God to "wake up" (remember Jesus asleep in the storm) and "arise up" for our help.
- 2. The larger picture is that of God's former actions in view of His plans.
- 3. The current picture is that of great difficulties and divine silence amid protestations of personal loyalty and guiltlessness (sounds like Job).
- 4. The key phrase: "...for Thy sake..." [literally "on account of you"].
- 5. The current problem: we are being put to death all the day, we are reckoned (Aorist) as sheep of slaughter.
- a. Jesus had warned His disciples that they would be dragged before rulers and authorities and be mistreated and put to death even by their own family members (Matthew 10:18-22) "...for My name's sake...".
- b. This, rather than contradicting the affirmation of the loyal love of The Christ, actually confirms the reality of that loyal love as He enables our steadfast pursuit of His agenda without being dissuaded by "tribulation, distress, persecution....".
- II. Paul's Confident Contradiction.
- A. But; the use of the strong adversative.
- B. In these things all...
- C. We are beyond mere conquerors...
- 1. The verb is used only here in the New Testament.
- 2. The intensifier/prefix is the very word used in 8:31's "God is for us...". It is also the word used in 8:26-27 concerning the Spirit's intercession "for" us; in 8:32's "...delivered Him up "for" us all..." (note also 5:6-8); and in 8:34 regarding the Son's intercession "for" us. Because God is "for" us in all of these ways, we are more than mere conquerors.
- 3. The main verb is used in 24 texts of the New Testament with John being the majority user in 1 John and Revelation (15 texts).
- 4. The general meaning is "to prevail in conflict and win".
- D. This identity is "through the One Who has loved us".
- 1. The gracious consequence of that One's "love" is the imputation of His own accomplishments to us because He has received us Into Himself and taken up residence in us (we are in Him and He is in us).
- 2. The clear issue of "love" is the pursuit of the "good" for the beloved without regard for the loss that pursuit may mean to the pursuer.