Chapter
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Verse

Romans 8:34

ESV 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.
NIV Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
NASB who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
CSB Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.
NLT Who then will condemn us? No one — for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
KJV 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.
NKJV Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

What does Romans 8:34 mean?

Who shall bring any charges against God's elect or God's chosen ones? That's the question Paul asked in the previous verse. His answer was simple: God is the one who justifies. By this Paul meant that once God has justified one of His chosen ones—declared that person righteous because of his or her faith in Christ (Romans 3:23–26)—no accusation about any sin could convince God to overrule His own verdict.

If that is God's position, how could anyone condemn us? That's what Paul now asks. His answer can be read in one of two ways. Paul may be implying that nobody can condemn those of us who are in Christ, because He—Jesus—is the one who died. Or, Paul may mean that only Christ can condemn us, but instead He has already taken our condemnation on Himself.

The result is the same in either case. Paul began Romans chapter 8 by writing that, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." The statement contained in this verse is why. We are in Christ by faith, so closely associated with Him in God's eyes that His death has already paid the price of our sin. He was resurrected and now stands at the Father's right hand interceding for us. This is available to those who put their faith in Jesus, but only to those who do so (John 3:16–18).

The picture Paul paints is of Jesus standing by to advocate against anyone who would accuse us to God for our sin. He might say, "I died for that sin. The penalty is paid." Now that God has justified us in Christ, and because God is for us, no accusation or condemnation can stand against us in the throne room of God.
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