Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

ROMANS 8:33KJV
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Romans 8:33 (KJV)

What does Romans 8:33 mean?

Romans 8:33 says that no one can successfully accuse or bring charges against those whom God has chosen, because it is God Himself who declares them righteous. The verse emphasizes the security and assurance of those who belong to God, since their standing is based on God's own decision.

Paul is writing to believers in Rome, reminding them that their relationship with God is secure. In the context of this chapter, Paul is listing reasons why nothing can separate God’s people from His love. The verse uses courtroom language, picturing God as the ultimate judge who has already justified His chosen people, so no accusation against them can stand.

The Greek behind Romans 8:33

  • "charge" (κατηγορέω, katēgoreō): This Greek word means to accuse or bring a legal charge. Paul is using legal imagery to show that no one can bring a charge that will stick against God's chosen people.
  • "God's" (Θεός, Theos): The word for God here highlights that it is God’s authority and decision that matter, not any human or spiritual accuser.
  • "elect" (ἐκλεκτός, eklektos): This word means "chosen" or "selected." Paul is referring to those whom God has chosen, emphasizing their special status and security.
  • "justifieth" (δικαιόω, dikaioō): This verb means to declare righteous or to acquit. Paul stresses that it is God who has already given the verdict of "righteous" to His people.

Why Romans 8:33 matters

  • Romans 8:33 clears up the idea that anyone—whether a person, spiritual being, or even our own conscience—can overrule what God has decided about His people.
  • The verse highlights that the ultimate authority in matters of guilt or innocence is God, not any outside accuser.
  • This verse fits into Paul’s larger argument in Romans 8, building confidence that nothing can separate believers from God’s love or undo what God has done for them.

Where else these words appear

“thing” Greek G1458 · used in 7 verses

  • Acts 19:38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
  • Acts 23:28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
  • Acts 26:2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

“elect” Greek G1588 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
  • Mark 13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
  • Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

“justifieth” Greek G1344 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
  • Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
  • Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.