For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

ROMANS 8:38KJV
Know the Bible

Romans 8:38 (KJV)

What does Romans 8:38 mean?

Romans 8:38 expresses Paul’s settled confidence that no condition or power he can name can separate believers from God’s love. The verse begins a list that continues into verse 39, where Paul completes the thought by identifying that love as God’s love in Christ Jesus.

Paul speaks in the first person: “I am persuaded.” His list ranges from human experience, “death” and “life,” to spiritual beings and powers, and from the present into the future. The repeated “nor” gives each item its place in his statement.

The Greek behind Romans 8:38

  • “persuaded” — πέπεισμαι (pepeismai): The Greek carries the sense of having become convinced and remaining convinced. Paul presents his confidence as settled, rather than as a passing thought.
  • “principalities” — ἀρχαί (archai): The word can refer to rulers or authorities. In this list beside angels and powers, it is often understood as referring to ruling spiritual powers.
  • “come” — μέλλοντα (mellonta): The word refers to things that are going to happen. Paired with “present,” it extends Paul’s statement from current circumstances to those still ahead.

Why Romans 8:38 matters

  • Paul’s list includes more than hardship. “Death” and “life” cover opposite ends of human experience, while “angels,” “principalities,” and “powers” bring other kinds of forces into view.
  • The sentence reaches beyond Paul himself. He says “I am persuaded” in verse 38, but verse 39 completes the sentence with “separate us” from God’s love.
  • The KJV places “powers” among the items in verse 38. Paul’s statement continues through the end of verse 39, so the list needs to be read as one sentence.

Where else these words appear

“present” Greek G1764 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Corinthians 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
  • Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
  • 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

“neither” Greek G3777 · used in 45 verses

  • Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
  • John 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
  • Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

“persuaded” Greek G3982 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
  • Acts 21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
  • Galatians 5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

“principalities” Greek G746 · used in 56 verses

  • Matthew 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
  • John 16:4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
  • Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;