31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things?u If God is for us,v who can be against us?w 32 He who did not spare his own Son,x but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any chargey against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns?z No one. Christ Jesus who dieda—more than that, who was raised to lifeb—is at the right hand of Godc and is also interceding for us.d 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?e Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?f 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”j g
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerorsh through him who loved us.i 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,k neither the present nor the future,jnor any powers,k 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of Godl that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.m
What do you first think of when you come across the word "conqueror?"
Personally, I think of some of the historical war figures I learned about in my high school history classes: people like Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar. These are examples of people who were victorious in achieving victory in their battles, overcoming adversity in warfare, and gaining immense control over other lands and people. At first glance, it seems as if these "conquerors" throughout history were the most powerful people in the world. With that said, then what is Paul, in Romans, intending to convey when he says that "we (as Christians) are more than conquerors?"
First, I think it's important to recognize the phrase that prefaces: "No, in all these things we are more than..." So, what were these "things" that Paul mentions? If you look at the first paragraph, you can see that he is referencing his rhetorical question, asking whether our times of difficulty and hardship could separate us from Jesus's love (a theme he discusses throughout the chapter). In response, Paul emphatically says no! In fact, he says it is during these moments where we show that we are more than conquerors through Christ!
Think about it: what were some of the most difficult and hardest times for you? Maybe it was a problem with friends at school. Maybe it could have been even with a teacher or superior. During these situations, it often feels like we've been defeated. We feel discouraged and disheartened. But what Paul is saying through Romans is that because of Jesus, we can endure and triumph through these tribulations. As believers, we can overcome these situations but putting our trust and faith in Christ!
The conquerors that I mentioned before (i.e. Genghis Khan, Caesar etc.) are all people who had to rely on their own power and control to achieve victory. And although they did have success, none of them could last forever. What makes us, as Christians, "more than (these) conquerors" is that we will triumph due to a power that is not ours-- one of a God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and loving. His love will never fail and will never wane. With Him, we can never lose. That's what makes us as believers more than conquerors.
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