Romans Chapter 8 · Verse 17

Authorized King James Version

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And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Original Language Analysis

εἰ if G1487
εἰ if
Strong's: G1487
Word #: 1 of 16
if, whether, that, etc
δὲ And G1161
δὲ And
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 16
but, and, etc
τέκνα children G5043
τέκνα children
Strong's: G5043
Word #: 3 of 16
a child (as produced)
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 4 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κληρονόμοι heirs G2818
κληρονόμοι heirs
Strong's: G2818
Word #: 5 of 16
a sharer by lot, i.e., inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor
κληρονόμοι heirs G2818
κληρονόμοι heirs
Strong's: G2818
Word #: 6 of 16
a sharer by lot, i.e., inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor
μὲν of God G3303
μὲν of God
Strong's: G3303
Word #: 7 of 16
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
θεοῦ G2316
θεοῦ
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 8 of 16
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
συγκληρονόμοι joint-heirs G4789
συγκληρονόμοι joint-heirs
Strong's: G4789
Word #: 9 of 16
a co-heir, i.e., (by analogy) participant in common
δὲ And G1161
δὲ And
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 10 of 16
but, and, etc
Χριστοῦ with Christ G5547
Χριστοῦ with Christ
Strong's: G5547
Word #: 11 of 16
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
εἴπερ if so be G1512
εἴπερ if so be
Strong's: G1512
Word #: 12 of 16
if perhaps
συμπάσχομεν that we suffer with G4841
συμπάσχομεν that we suffer with
Strong's: G4841
Word #: 13 of 16
to experience pain jointly or of the same kind (specially, persecution; to "sympathize")
ἵνα him that G2443
ἵνα him that
Strong's: G2443
Word #: 14 of 16
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 15 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
συνδοξασθῶμεν glorified together G4888
συνδοξασθῶμεν glorified together
Strong's: G4888
Word #: 16 of 16
to exalt to dignity in company (i.e., similarly) with

Analysis & Commentary

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ (ei tekna, kai klēronomoi; klēronomoi men theou, sugklēronomoi de Christou)—The logic is inexorable: children means heirs. Klēronomoi refers to legal inheritance rights. Believers are theou klēronomoi (God's heirs), inheriting not created blessings merely but God Himself as infinite treasure (Psalm 16:5; 73:25-26). Sugklēronomoi de Christou ("joint-heirs with Christ") is staggering: we inherit with Christ, sharing His inheritance—glory, honor, kingdom (Revelation 3:21; 21:7).

If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together (eiper sumpaskhomen hina kai sundoxasthōmen)—The eiper clause assumes the condition is met: suffering with Christ is the path to glory with Christ. Sumpaskhō ("suffer with") and sundoxazō ("glorified together") use the sun- prefix ("with"), emphasizing union with Christ in both suffering and splendor. This isn't earning salvation but experiencing the pattern: cross before crown (Luke 24:26; Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 2:12).

Historical Context

The Roman world offered glory through military conquest, political power, or philosophical achievement. Christianity offered glory through suffering—a scandal to Roman values. Early martyrs embodied this: suffering for Christ brought eschatological glory. Tertullian wrote, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church."

Questions for Reflection