Romans 8:31–39 — Nothing Shall Separate Us

King James Version · hope

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 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? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 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. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 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.

Why families choose it

Paul asks the questions a grave makes people afraid to ask — who is against us, who condemns, what can separate us — and answers every one of them. Then comes the list, and death stands first on it: named, faced, and set among the things that cannot win. For mourners who need defiance as much as comfort, this is the reading. It does not soften death; it overrules it.

Reading it aloud

The first half is questions — ask them like questions, and let each one hang a moment before moving on. The last two verses are a single sentence, and the whole reading leans on it: take the list slowly, one 'nor' at a time, without letting the voice fall. Everything is aimed at the final clause — 'shall be able to separate us' — so keep breath and weight in reserve for the end.

In the programme, list it in the order of service as “Scripture Reading — Romans 8:31–39” with the reader’s name beside it. The full text is public domain and may be printed on the life-story or back page.

Often read alongside: 1 Corinthians 13:4–8, 13 Romans 14:7–9 John 6:37–40

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