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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 8:29

Verse 29 29.For whom he has foreknown, etc. He then shows, by the very order of election, that the afflictions of the faithful are nothing else than the manner by which they are conformed to the image of Christ; and that this was necessary, he had before declared. There is therefore no reason for us to be grieved, or to think it hard and grievous, that we are afflicted, unless we disapprove of the Lord’s election, by which we have been foreordained to life, and unless we are unwilling to bear... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 8:30

Verse 30 30.And whom he has foredetermined, ( præfinivit,) them has he also called, etc. That he might now by a clearer proof show how true it is that a conformity with the humiliating state of Christ is for our good, he adopts a graduating process, by which he teaches us, that a participation of the cross is so connected with our vocation, justification, and, in short, with our future glory, that they can by no means be separated. But that readers may better understand the Apostle’s meaning,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:1-39

( c ) The blessed condition and assured hope of such as are in Christ Jesus. The summary of the contents of this chapter, which follows the Exposition, may be referred to in the first place by the student, so as to assist comprehension of the line of thought. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:12-30

The privileges and responsibilities of the children of God. The apostle in these verses makes a high claim for believers—the claim of being children of God. In this eighth chapter he unfolds, as in a panoramic view, the whole plan of salvation. He begins with the idea that those who are in Christ Jesus are delivered from condemnation. But salvation is something more than that. It means sonship also. And step by step, verse by verse, the apostle advances, at each step unfolding some fresh... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:18-30

Salvation in spite of suffering. "Paradise regained" in this life is not a sorrowless and painless condition. The sons of God are chastened. They know what suffering is. And there is here the great religious evidence. When the world sees men and women composed and even cheerful amid untold tribulation, then it sees a reality in religion. Job, for instance, was an evidence for the reality of religion that, even Satan himself could not gainsay or deny. How is it that the Christian spirit can... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:28

And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, to them that are called according to his purpose . A still further reason for endurance. Not only do these inspired groanings strengthen our hope of deliverance; nay, also we know (whether from God's Word, or inspired conviction, or experience of their effects) that these very trials that seem to hinder us are so overruled as to further the consummation to them that love God (cf. above, Romans 5:3 , etc.); and at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:28

We know, too, that all things, even all these present trials, far from harming us, work together for good to them that love God, being called according to his purpose. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:28

Overruling providence. Perplexity and mystery are part of the experience to be shared by all reflecting men. The world, and especially human life, furnish enigmas which the understanding cannot solve, which can only be dealt with by the higher principle of faith. The groans of creation mingle with the groans of men, and the discerning mind detects also the groaning of the Spirit. But, above all, is a harmony which overcomes and silences earth's discords. The apostle heard this harmony, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:28

God's mingled providences. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." This was a remarkable statement for the Apostle Paul to make, especially when we consider how much he had suffered because of his love to God and his truth. He had been imprisoned, he had been stoned, he had been beaten with stripes; and yet, after all this, he is able to say that "all things work together for good to them that love God." Some might be disposed to doubt such a statement... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:28-30

God's purpose in Christ. The apostle has indicated the hope of the future glory, in comparison with which all suffering now is as nought. He has also shown how, this hope is no vain imagining of a diseased mind, but the inspiration of God's Spirit. And now he goes on to show that, since this divinely inspired hope corresponds with the great purpose of God concerning us, all things which enter into God's plan for our governance, including apparently evil things which are suffered by him to... read more

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