In all these things we are more than conquerors

                              "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors

                                           through him that loved us." Romans 8:37

While watching a football game on TV the other day, a commercial came on advertising a particular brand of athletic clothing and equipment. In the presentation of their ad, they used a Bible phrase that caught my ear. And, based on our knowledge of TV content, it's possible that they may not know that it's a phrase from the Bible, but we recognize it as such. It's from Romans 8:37 (see above) and the phrase is "more than conquerors." Of course, when I heard it spoken it immediately set my editorial juices flowing and today's lesson is the result of that flowage.

I think it interesting to take a word or a phrase from the Bible and develop an editorial lesson from it and this phrase intrigued me. What is meant by it? What point is the Apostle Paul making by the use of it? When you think about it, how can one be "more than a conqueror?" Like I said, I find this phrase interesting and I hope that you find my thoughts on it interesting too.

Like just about all studies of Bible topics, we need to look at the surrounding verses, or the context in which a statement is made. What, in general, is being talked about that would cause a particular phrase to be uttered. As to our phrase under consideration today I think we have to first look at the words "all these things" which immediately precede the "more than conquerors" phrase so let's do just that.

The words "these things" refers us back to the general and overall theme of the 8^th chapter of Romans. Note that Paul starts this chapter by saying that "there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." Then verse 2 tells us that in "belonging to Him, His life-giving power has freed us from the power of sin which is spiritual death." Those first two verses sort of sets the tone for the rest of the chapter.

Reading on down the chapter, we see in verse 14 that by belonging to Christ ("led by the Spirit of God") then we are "sons of God." A little later, in verse 16 we see Christians (those belonging to Christ) being called "children of God." In verse 17 we start getting closer to understanding what the words "these things" means because it tells us there that "as children of God" we are then "heirs" of His "glory" but, that if we're going to share in Christ's "glory," we are going to have to share in "His suffering." Yes, not only in regards to baptism, we also know that bad things can and will happen to us in this earthly life.

But, no matter what the "sufferings" that come at and upon us, when compared with the "glory" we'll share with Him, none of them will match the rewards of this "glory." Or, as Paul says in verse 18, they're not even "worthy of being compared" with what lies ahead. And he adds in verse 25 that we must "patiently wait" for this "glory" to come. This thought fits right nicely with a phrase he uses in Rom. 12:12 where he says that we must have "patience in tribulation."

As we read on down we see in verse 30 that "those whom He called" (Christians, or those who are "in Christ") are those who are "justified." And Paul carries the equation on out to say that "those justified" are those to whom "glory" is awarded.

But now we get to the nitty-gritty of our original question of what the words "these things" mean. Now don't get confused about the words "these things" seen in verse 31 with "these things" we read in verse 37. You see, "these things" in verse 31 are referring to the wonderful "things" that were portrayed to us in the verses prior to verse 31. IE: The being designated "sons" and "children of God." And the "justification" and the subsequent "glory" awaiting those "sons and children."

The reason we need to understand the context in which phrases and statements are found is exemplified by looking at the difference in what is meant by these two separate uses of the words "these things." When we read "these things" in verse 37 it's referring to some "things" said just prior to that verse. What we find there defines verse 37's "things."

What we find "these things" to mean in verse 37 is those "things" that come under the heading of "tribulation" or "distress." Those things which we have to "suffer" in our present lives. Things enumerated in verse 36 like "persecutions, hunger, being destitute, in danger, or even being threatened with death." There was a time, in the days of the early church, when being a Christian could bring physical persecution and death upon you. We thank God that it isn't this situation in most of the world today, but that doesn't mean that those situations can't arise again.

So, now that we understand what the words "these things" are referring to, let's see if that doesn't give us a better understanding of how we can be "more than conquerors." I guess that I could orate and pontificate greatly on the answer to the question of "how" that can happen, but in reality, it's not all that complicated.

It simply means that if we, as Christians, truly belong to Jesus Christ, then we are also "sons of God" and if we continue throughout our lives as such, IE: being patient in whatever suffering or tribulation comes our way, then we will be "glorified" by God. It means that, if we don't let sin and the tribulations and cares of this world cause us to abandon Christ, then we'll have "overwhelming victory." Or as Paul wrote: "we're more than conquerors." Because that victory is "ours through Christ who loved us."

It's worth noting the last two verses of Romans the 8^th chapter because they tell us that nothing in and of this world can "separate" (IE: take away) us, God's children, from Him - not even "angels or demons" nor the "powers of hell." What these two verses tell me is, that there is no power in heaven or earth that can overpower God and force a child of His out of His hand.

But, the sad epitaph is, we can voluntarily leave Him. As long as we are holding on to His hand, there is no power that can remove us - can break that hold. Jesus used the metaphor of Christians being "My sheep" in John 10:28 and told His listeners on that occasion, that no one has the power to "pluck them out of my Father's hand."

Thus, the idea here is, don't turn loose of God's hand, or wander from the fold. If we do that, we will not be "conquerors" we will have been "conquered" by sin and the arch adversary of God - Satan.

Ron Covey