Romans 8:39

Height, nor depth. It is possible that in this rhetorical passage Paul did not intend that each of these expressions should be too closely defined. “Height” and “depth” may have been used to express simply dimensions of space, as “things present” and “things to come” express dimensions of time. Such a use of these terms brings out all the more emphatically the idea of universality, which seems to be Paul’s purpose in these verses. Compare his description of “the breadth, and length, and depth, and height” of the love of Christ (Eph. 3:18, 19).

Any other creature. Or, “any other creation” (see on v. 19; cf. vs. 19, 22).

Paul lists ten items that cannot separate us from the love of God. The tenth is broad enough to include anything that may have been omitted. All the terms are perhaps to be taken in their most general sense. Their very indefiniteness serves to emphasize Paul’s point that there is nothing that one can think of in all the created universe that can put a distance between a Christian and his loving Saviour.

Separate. Greek chorizo (see on v. 35).

Love of God. “The love of Christ” (v. 35) is no other than “the love of God” revealed to us and working in our behalf in the person of Christ (see on ch. 5:8). In this epistle Paul has pictured the supreme cooperation of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the manifestation of the divine love. For example, “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost” (ch. 5:5); “God commendeth his love toward us, in that ... Christ died for us” (v. 8); the Spirit, whose will and purpose is our salvation (ch. 8:29, 30), intercedes for us “according to the will of God” (vs. 26, 27); Christ died for us, and is even now interceding for us at the right hand of the Father (v. 34).

With this expression of unlimited confidence in the saving love of God (vs. 31-39), Paul reaches the climax of his explanation of God’s plan for the restoration of man. Righteousness and salvation come by faith. And this faith is to be placed in a person whose love is so great and whose purpose to save is so strong that He has made every conceivable provision for our salvation. Surely, then, we too should join with the apostle in giving Him our unreserved trust and obedience.