FREQUENTLY MISINTERPRETED BIBLE TEXTS (PART II)

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“Our Present Sufferings Don’t Compare with Our Future Glory”

By Akin Ojumu

As we noted last time, the aim of this commentary series is to set the record straight on popular Bible texts that are subject of abuse, misuse, and misinterpretation. The goal is to shed light on the true meaning of these well-known Bible passages by applying the principles of hermeneutics and exegesis.

Using Romans 8:32 as an illustration, we demonstrated the way false teachers distort Bible texts in order to promote preconceived narratives and predetermined doctrinal positions. Romans 8:32 is a cornerstone of the prosperity gospel. It’s used as proof text to support the false belief that God has promised Believers every temporal thing they want in this world.

Romans 8:32
“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

Upon exegetically examining Romans 8:32, however, it becomes apparent that this text does not support the idea that God will give His children all things that they want. In order to properly understand the text, it must be interpreted within the context of the entire chapter.

In the previous chapter, Romans 7, Paul had cried out in frustration about his wretchedness and ongoing tussle between the desires of his regenerated spirit and the cravings of his sinful flesh. He had cried out in exasperation:

Romans 7:24
“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”

As if to shake off the despondency of the previous chapter, Paul opens Romans 8 with profoundly comforting words.

Romans 8:1
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Paul then goes into a great detail to describe the life of a redeemed Christian who is living in this present world but is looking forward to a living hope of a guaranteed eternity that is still to come. Because the Holy Spirit indwells the believer, he is no longer a prisoner to his sinful cravings, and he ceases to be controlled by his wild passions. Instead, the Spirit-filled believer walks according to the Spirit of Christ within him.

Paul then proceeds to unfurl additional promises that God has given to those who belong to Christ. He tells the Christians living in Rome that their dying mortal body which is subject to all kinds of afflictions and decay will one day be resurrected.

Romans 8:11
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

And that’s not all.

We read in Romans 8:15-17 that Believers in Christ are God’s adopted children and heirs to a heavenly inheritance. Because we are children of God and not slaves to God, we have the confidence to endearingly call Him, “Abba, Father.”

I don’t know about you, but as I read Romans 8, the picture in my mind is that of a drum roll building up to a crescendo. With comforting words, Paul, it seems, is building an edifice around the soul of the Roman Christians who at this time are experiencing excruciating agony. He is throwing around their weary shoulders a warm blanket of reassurance. Since they are in Christ, they have eternal security before God. There’s an eternal reward that awaits them when the Lord returns in glory.

Since all those who are Christ will share in His suffering before sharing in His glory, Paul encourages the Roman Christians to look beyond their present tribulation, distress, and persecution, to the glory that awaits them. Their present suffering, Paul tells them, pales in comparison to the glory that is coming to their way, if they endure.

Romans 8:18
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

We’ll take it from here next time.

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