“Super conquerors” in Christ
“Super conquerors” in Christ
ROMANS 8:35–39
Romans 8:37 (NASB)
37 “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”
Friedrich Nietzsche, the German nihilist philosopher of the late 19th century, wrote that
the true man is a conqueror. He despised the “meek and mild” ethics of Christianity and called on men to live as conquerors, even though life was meaningless (according to him) and being a conqueror was also meaningless.
Nietzsche should have paid more attention to Romans 8:37. Paul stated that Christians are “more than conquerors.” This phrase actually translates a single Greek term, the verb hupernikao. It comes from huper (superabundant) and nikao (conquer, be victorious). Paul is saying that Christians are “hyperconquerors.” The Latin for hyper is “super,” and so Paul is also saying that Christians are “superconquerors.” How are we superconquerors? It is in Christ that we have this ability. It is Christ who is the incarnation of the all-controlling sovereign God. It is Christ who raised Himself from the dead. We who are in Christ have access to this superconquering power.
Victory over All Things in Creation
Why do we need this power? Because of the “these things” Paul refers to in the beginning of the verse. Paul is referring back to the tribulation and distress of verse 35, the persecution that threatens to separate us from Christ. Paul is referring back to the entire theme of suffering in Romans 8. It is in the face of these things that we are superconquerors in Christ.
For this reason, Paul is convinced “that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39).
CORAM DEO (Before the face of God)
Do you ever feel threatened by the world? Do you experience fear? Do you struggle with anxiety? Certainly such feelings are common to us all. While our faith doesn’t necessarily keep us from worldly harm, nothing can threaten our eternal security with Christ. Dwell on this thought today. Ask God to make you more conscious of your position and security in Him.
For further study: Psalm 33:8–22; Isaiah 40:28–31; 1 John 5:11–13