Romans 8:32
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Original Language Analysis
ὅς
He that
G3739
ὅς
He that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἰδίου
his own
G2398
ἰδίου
his own
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
4 of 22
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
υἱοῦ
Son
G5207
υἱοῦ
Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
5 of 22
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
ἐφείσατο
spared
G5339
ἐφείσατο
spared
Strong's:
G5339
Word #:
7 of 22
to be chary of, i.e., (subjectively) to abstain or (objectively) to treat leniently
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
9 of 22
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πῶς
how
G4459
πῶς
how
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
14 of 22
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
17 of 22
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Psalms 84:11For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.2 Corinthians 5:21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.1 John 4:10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.1 Corinthians 2:12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.Romans 4:25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.Isaiah 53:10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.Matthew 3:17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Historical Context
The Christological focus—God giving His "own Son"—grounds assurance in objective historical event (the Cross), not subjective feelings. Medieval Catholic theology could make assurance conditional on merit and penance; Reformation theology grounds assurance in Christ's finished work, not our performance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Cross (God not sparing His own Son) prove He will give "all things" needed for salvation's completion?
- What specific "all things" are you tempted to doubt God will provide?
- How does understanding Christ's death as the Father's "delivery" deepen appreciation for both Father and Son?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all (hós ge toû idíou huioû ouk epheísato, allà hypèr hēmōn pántōn parédōken autón)—Toû idíou huioû ("his own Son") emphasizes intimacy and preciousness—not a created being but the eternally beloved Son. Ouk epheísato ("spared not") recalls Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:12, 16 LXX: "you have not withheld your son, your only son"). God did what Abraham was spared from doing—gave up His unique Son. Parédōken ("delivered up") is judicial: handed over to death (Isaiah 53:6, 12).
How shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (pōs ouchì kaì sỳn autō̂ tà pánta hēmîn charísetai)—The argument is a fortiori (from greater to lesser): if God gave the supremely costly gift (His Son), will He not give lesser gifts? Charísetai ("freely give") is grace-language—unearned favor. Tà pánta ("all things") includes everything necessary for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), ultimate glorification (v. 30), and eternal joy. If He paid the infinite cost (His Son), He won't withhold any good (Psalm 84:11).