Romans 8:33

Shall lay ... to the charge. Greek egkaled, a legal term meaning literally, “to call in,” hence, “to call to account,” “to bring a charge against,” “to accuse” (see Acts 19:38, 40; 23:28, 29; 26:2, 7). Satan is the great accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10).

The punctuation and arrangement of Rom. 8:33-35 involve some difficulty, and the commentaries and versions have offered a number of solutions. Some recommend that the last clause of v. 33 and the first clause of v. 34 be so punctuated as to indicate a closer connection between them. Thus the RV, and some editions of the KJV, render, “It is God that justifieth; who is he that shall condemn?”

Other commentators have argued that all the clauses in vs. 33 and 34 should be regarded as a series of questions (see Weymouth). The RSV represents still another viewpoint by connecting vs. 33 and 34 as in the RV, but punctuating the rest of v. 34 as a question.

Whichever arrangement is followed, the encouraging meaning of Paul’s argument stands out clearly. God is declaring His people righteous. Christ, who died for them, is at God’s right hand pleading for them. Who, then, can accuse God’s chosen people? Who can condemn them? Who can ever separate them from Christ’s love? It seems evident that Paul has in mind Isa. 50:8, 9, “He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? ... Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me?”

Elect. Greek eklektoi, “chosen,” “picked out,” from the verb eklegomai, used to describe Christ’s picking out of His disciples (Luke 6:13; John 6:70; 13:18), and God’s choosing of persons (Mark 13:20; Acts 1:24; 13:17) or things (1 Cor. 1:27, 28). In Matt. 22:14 Jesus makes a distinction between those who are called and those who are chosen. But Paul seems to identify the two groups by reading into the term “called” the implication that the call is accepted (see on Rom. 8:30). For Paul, God’s elect are those who have not only heard but also heeded the divine call to find salvation in Christ.

God that justifieth. God’s elect need fear no accuser. It is God Himself, the Judge of all, who pronounces them upright according to His plan of justification (ch. 3:20-26). “Justify” is the opposite of “lay any thing to the charge.”