“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28).

          1 It seems to me that in this part he is talking about those who are exposed to dangers, and not only that, but he is also referring to the things that were said before these. Because the saying that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy of comparison with the glory that will be revealed in us” and that “the whole creation groans” and his saying: “in hope we were saved” and “we expect it with patience” and “we do not know what to pray for” [1] . All these sayings were said to those who are exposed to dangers. He teaches them not to pay more attention to the things that they believe will bring benefit, but rather they should prefer to them the things that are according to the Spirit. Especially since many of the things that seem beneficial to them often cause great loss. So it is clear that comfort, freedom from dangers, and a life in safety are what these people seek.

          What is surprising to these people is what has become clear, that security is not in seeking comfort in the way they imagine, and this is what happened to the blessed Paul himself. He later knew that beneficial things are in fulfilling the will of God, and when he knew this, he complied with this will. He was the one who pleaded with God three times to save him from pain, but when he heard God say: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” [2] . For he was pleased when he was expelled, reviled, and suffered incurable pain. “Therefore he took pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, and in persecutions.” [3] . That is why he said, “We do not know what to pray for,” and advised everyone to allow the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s will in them. Especially since the Holy Spirit takes great care of us.

          So after he had prepared them in every way, he added what he said to encourage them to have right thoughts. Because “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God.” But when he says “eat,” he means those that seem painful. Because whether it is distress, poverty, imprisonment, hunger, death, or anything else that befalls us, God is able to turn all of this into the opposite. Because this is His indescribable power, that is, to make what seemed heavy become light for us, and transform it to strengthen us. This is precisely why he did not say that nothing will happen to those who love God, but rather that they “work together for good,” meaning that He uses these bad things to please those who are tempted by machinations, and this is considered much greater than preventing evils from coming, or erasing them. When he spoke. This is what he did in the furnace of Babylon (with the three boys). Because he did not prevent them from being thrown into the furnace, nor did he extinguish the flame when they threw these saints, but rather let them watch the miracle that he performed with them in this furnace.

          He performed similar miracles with all the apostles. If those who act wisely are able to change the nature of things to the opposite, but they prefer to live in poverty and thus become richer than the rich, and more splendid than them, even though they do not receive proper appreciation, this is what God will do to those who love Him. Not only this, but much more than this. So it only takes true love for God, and all other things will come true. Those things that seem to be harmful to them are in fact beneficial to them, but for those who do not love God, the things that appear to be beneficial to them will be harmful. Therefore, the appearance of miracles, as well as the philosophy of education and the integrity of the doctrine, caused harm to the Jews. Because of these miracles, they claimed that God performs them with the power of Satan, while the opposite should have happened because of these miracles, and for these miracles they began to kill him. As for the thief who was crucified with him, who was nailed, humiliated, and suffered many evils, he did not lose at all, but rather gained very much.

          Have you seen how all things work together for good for those who love God? So, after he spoke about this abundant bliss, which far exceeds human nature, and which seems to many to be impossible to achieve, he emphasized it by saying: “Those who are called according to his purpose.” So pay attention to the invitation that was said. Why did he not invite everyone from the beginning, and even Paul himself did not invite him with the others directly? Perhaps it seems to you that this postponement was useless? No, it showed the opposite, in terms of the same matters, that postponement was beneficial. God does not want to give everything in the invitation, because if this had happened, the Greeks and Jews would have disagreed. So if invitation alone is enough, why are not everyone saved? This is why the Apostle Paul explains that it is not just a matter of calling, but that the will of those who were called had a role in salvation. Because the invitation was neither forced nor coercive. It is certain that everyone was invited, but not everyone obeyed.

2  “For those whom he foreknew he predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son...” (Romans 8:29).

          Have you seen the amount of dignity? For these have become children by grace through Him who is by nature the only-begotten Son. That is why he did not limit himself to saying “similars,” but he added “that he might be a firstborn.” He did not stop here either, but he added to this “among many brothers,” because he wanted with all this to clearly show the extent of the kinship. All this must be considered to have been said according to measure. Because he is a god, he is one-sex. Did you see how much he gave us? Therefore, you should not doubt about the good things of the coming age. Because in another place he explained God's providence, when he said that these matters had been previously decided by God in this way. Humans form their opinions through visible reality, but God decided these matters from ancient times, and from the beginning this was His will for us.

“And those whom he predestined, these he also called; and those whom he called, these he also justified” (Romans 8:30).

This happened through the baptism of regeneration, “and whom he justified, these he also glorified.” This happened by grace and adoption.

“What shall we say to this man?” (Romans 8:31).

It was as if he said, “Don’t talk to me anymore about the dangers and machinations that come from everyone.” Although some people doubt the matters of the coming age, they cannot say anything regarding the good things that have already been achieved without discussion, that is, in that God granted you righteousness and glory from the beginning out of His great love for you. Because in truth He gave it to you, through things that seem sad to you. What you think is a sign of shame, that is, the cross, the lashes, and the chains, has itself become a cause of benefit for the entire inhabited earth. Just as it happened with the Passion of Christ, although it seemed bleak, He transformed it to give our nature freedom and salvation, so He used to do with the things you suffer, using your suffering for your glory and happiness.

" That God was with us, it is us ". Is there anyone who is not against us? Because the world is against us, and the tyrants, and the peoples, and our relatives, and those who live with us in one homeland. But those who are against us to such a great extent are far from harming us because without intending to, they have become the reason for our coronation and countless good things, as long as God’s wisdom transforms these machinations into our salvation and glory. See how there's no one against us? Because Job also made everything that was against him become glory, that is, since Satan had armed himself against him. Especially when he incited friends, wife, and slaves against him, and suffered injuries and countless other misfortunes. But nothing at all caused him any harm. All of this was not a big deal to him, even though it was a big deal in itself, but Job was greater, because everything ended in his benefit. God was on his side, and what seemed to be against him turned into his benefit. This happened in the case of the apostles. Especially since the Jews, Gentiles, false teachers, leaders, crowds, famines, poverty, and many other things could have affected their path, but nothing overcame them. Because these sufferings are what made them radiant, glorified, and great before God and people.

So think about the words that the Apostle Paul said to believers, who are truly blessed, which even the one who wears the crown does not have. Because for Paul, many were against him, including barbarians, armed men, enemies attacking him, domineering and cruel guards against him, many citizens constantly revolting against him, and countless other things. But a believer who strictly follows the will of God, no human being, nor Satan, nor any other person can... Another thing is to excite or worry him. Because if you take away his money, you give him a reward, and if you offend him through shameful rumors, you make him more beautiful before God, and if you throw him into famine, he will be glorified more and his compensation will be more. Even if I handed him over to death, which is the most terrifying thing of all, I would have chosen for him the crown of martyrdom.

So what can be equivalent to this life, when there is nothing that can cause us harm, but rather those who plot against us, are in fact bringing us benefit? Do not talk about what those who do good to us do with us, and that is why he said: “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

3 Then after that, he was not satisfied with everything that was said, by pointing to the proof of his great love for us, which he repeats later. This also refers to it here, that is, it refers to the offering of the Son as a sacrifice. For not only did He justify us, glorify us, and make us conform to the image of His Son, but He did not spare His Son, and this is for our sake. That's why he added:

“Who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

          Here he uses words with great splendor and enthusiasm, to show God's love. How then can God abandon us, who are beloved to Him, when He, for our sake, did not even spare His own Son, but handed Him over to death for our sake? Consider the amount of divine goodness that appears in not sparing His Son, but rather handing Him over to death, and handing Him over for us, the lowly, the ungrateful, the enemies, and the blasphemers. “How can He not also give us all things with Him?” What he says means this: If he gave us his Son, and not only gave him to us, but handed him over to be slaughtered, then why should you doubt other matters, since you have received the Master? Why should you doubt or be confused about His possessions, since you have the Lord Himself? Does he who gave his greatest things to his enemies not give the least things to his friends?

“Who will bring charges against God’s chosen ones?” (Romans 8:33).

          Here the words are directed to those who say that faith is of no benefit at all, and to those who doubt the reality of justification. And notice how he quickly restrained them at this place that he had chosen for them. He did not say who would complain against God’s servants, nor against God’s believers, but “against God’s chosen ones,” because choice is the evidence of virtue. So, if an equestrian athlete chooses the appropriate horses for the road, no one will be able to complain about him. If someone complains about him, he becomes an object of ridicule. Much more so, when God chooses souls, those who complain about them are an object of ridicule.

“It is God who justifies. Who is he who judges? (Romans 8:34)

          He did not say that God forgives sins, but rather he said something much greater, that “It is God who justifies.” Because when a judge declares someone innocent, especially such a judge, what credibility does the complainant have? Accordingly, it is not right for us to be afraid of trials, because God is the one who stands with us, and He has made this clear through everything He did, nor for us to hesitate in the face of Jewish delirium, because it is certain that God has chosen us and justified us, and what is most surprising is that He justified us by slaughtering us. daughter.

          So who will judge us, at a time when God has crowned us, and Christ has been sacrificed for us, and has not only been sacrificed, but also interceded for us? Christ is the one who died, but rather he also rose again, and he is also at the right hand of God where he intercedes for us, because he returned to his position, his care for us did not stop, and he still maintains the same love for us. Because he is not satisfied with the slaughter only, but he presents a greater model of love, that is, he does not only do what he wants, but he intercedes for us on this matter. Because this is just what he wanted to proclaim, by interceding, speaking in a more humane and tolerant way, in order to show his love. If we do not understand the expression “He had no compassion” in this sense, inappropriate meanings will be attached to the lack of understanding. And so that you know that this is what he wanted to clarify, after he first said that he is “at the right hand of God,” he added that he “intercedes for us,” when he demonstrated equality in dignity, so that with the phrase “he intercedes for us,” it becomes clear that this is not considered evidence of a decrease or lessening. As much as it is only a sign of love.

          For he who is life in himself, and the source of all good things, and the giver of life, and of all other things, how need he intercede for us, and for our good? He intercedes with His authority, because while we were hopeless and doomed, He delivered us from this condemnation, justified us, made us sons, led us to the highest degree of dignity, and achieved for us everything we had never expected. And since He achieved all this, and raised human nature to the royal throne, would He'll need to beg to make things okay with us? Have you seen how it is clear to us from all directions that the phrase “to intercede” was not said by him for anything else but to show his intense and rich love for us? In addition, it is clear that the Father asks people to be reconciled to Him. “As we seek as ambassadors for Christ, it is as if God is preaching through us.” [4] . But even though God asks, and that some people are ambassadors for Christ, we do not mean here anything that is not worthy of that dignity, but rather only one thing that we gain from everything that has been said, which is great love. So this is what we should do here in this life. So if the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings that cannot be uttered, and that Christ died and interceded for us, and that the Father did not spare his Son because of us, and chose you and justified you, then why do you still fear? Why are you terrified as long as you enjoy this great love and this great care?!

          Therefore, after he demonstrated God’s extraordinary providence, he adds the following words with all boldness, and did not say that you are forced and should love him in this way (as he loved you), but rather as one who became in God, as is clear from his explanation of this indescribable providence, when he says:

“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? As it is written, ‘For your sake we died all day long’” (Romans 836:35).

          However, he did not say “the love of God”: this is something that does not concern him for Christ to call him or for God to call him. “Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Pay attention to the wisdom of the blessed Paul. Because he did not mention those things in our daily life to which we have become slaves, namely the love of money, the lust for glory, and anger. Rather, he mentioned those things that are much more painful than these things, and which are capable of subjugating nature itself, and many times distracting the mind, without... Our will, and this is what he refers to, is afflictions, i.e. sufferings. Because although what was said is little, every word is intense as it carries an innumerable set of experiences. Because when he says “tribulation,” he means prisons, restrictions, defamation, banishment, and all other troubles, referring, with one word, to all human suffering in general. But he despises all this pain. That is why he presents it in the form of a question, as if it were something to which there was no objection, because nothing could separate the one who enjoyed great love and great care from the love of Christ.

          4 After that, in order not to think that these things are evidence of God’s abandonment of us, he adds to what he said the words of the prophet who has been crying out about these things for many years, saying: “For your sake we have died all day. We have been considered like sheep to be slaughtered.” [5] . That is, we are willing to suffer for everyone. But in the many great dangers and these new sufferings, he gave us sufficient consolation, through jihad, or better to say not only sufficient consolation, but much more than that. Because he says that we do not suffer these things for the sake of men, or for the sake of anything else, but for the sake of everyone. He not only crowned them with this crown, but also with another crown of many shapes and sizes. Because it was not possible for them to suffer many deaths as long as they were human, and this shows how the rewards did not become less or smaller at all. Because even if our nature was designed for us to die only once, God has placed it in us if we want to suffer this death every day.

          Accordingly, it is clear that when we die, we will receive many crowns, as many days as we will live, or better to say, much more, because it is possible that we die in one day once, twice, and many times. So he who is always ready for this will always receive the full reward. This is certainly what the Prophet meant when he said: “The whole day.” That is why the Apostle Paul referred to it, in order to emphasize this further. For if those who lived in the Old Testament received, as a reward for their labors, other material things that pass away with the present life, but they greatly despised this life, and endured trials and dangers, what forgiveness will we receive for us who consider the things of this life insignificant or insignificant in comparison with heaven and the kingdom? And what is in heaven and the bounties stored up, and we have not reached the level of those who lived in the Old Testament, not even with regard to this standard, and the measure upon which they shaped their lives. He did not mention that, leaving it to the conscience of the listeners, and he was content only with testimony. He showed that their bodies also become a sacrifice, and that they should not worry or be disturbed as long as God has arranged things in this way. But he preaches to them in another way. And so that no one would say that he is just philosophizing these matters without experiencing them, he added: “We are considered like sheep to be slaughtered,” referring to the daily deaths of the apostles. Have you seen the amount of nobility and compassion? Because just as sheep do not resist when they are led to slaughter, so do we.

          But because weakness is considered a characteristic of the human soul, and despite all these frightening experiences, see how he once again stresses the listener, and makes him feel elevated and proud, saying:

“But in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

          The most surprising thing, then, is that we not only won, but that we also won even though there were machinations against us. Not only did we win, but “our victory will be magnified,” meaning with ease and without effort or trouble. It is not by enduring difficulties, as it prepares the will, and thus in every place we erect a monument of victory against the enemies. This is very justified, because God is the one who supports us. So we do not doubt that the torture inflicted upon us leads us to victory over those who torture us, that when we are persecuted, we overcome our oppressors, and that when we die, we transform and transform the living. Because in the presence of God's power and love, nothing can hinder the accomplishment of wondrous and astonishing things, and nothing can hinder the radiance of victory, as we previously mentioned. Because we are not only victorious, but we are victorious in a wondrous way, so that those who think evil will know that the war was not against humans, but rather against that undefeated force.

          Notice, then, that the Jews were facing two victors, and they were puzzled and said: “What should we do with these two men?” [6] . What is most astonishing is that, although they detained them, declared them guilty, imprisoned them, and beat them, they were perplexed, disconcerted, and defeated by the very things by which they had expected they would triumph. Neither tyrants, nor masses of people, nor a battalion of demons, nor Satan himself were able to defeat these saints. Rather, with all this opposing force, they defeated everyone, despite all the means they devised against them. Rather, it was all against them. That is why he said: “Our victory will be magnified.” Because the law of this victory was new, in that they were victorious with opposing things, and never defeated, but rather as if they were the ones in control in the end, and that is how they behaved in these struggles.

5 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

          This is a great saying, but we did not know it, because we do not have all this great love. But although these are great and wonderful words, he wanted to demonstrate that there is nothing compared to love, that is, God’s love for him, and after he referred to this love, he then referred to his own love, so that it would not appear that he was saying important words about himself. What he says means the following: What need is there for me to speak about the matters of this present life and the tragedies associated with this life? Because even if one speaks further about the things of the coming age, and about truths and powers, that is, certain truths like death and life, and powers like angels and archangels, and all heavenly creation, all these things to me are small, compared to the love of Christ. Even if someone promised me endless life or threatened me with death, in order to keep me away from Christ, I would still face that threat.

          Why should I refer to the kings of the earth, the nobles, and so-and-so? Even if you talked to me about angels, all the heavenly forces and all beings, and everything related to the coming age, all of this to me is a matter of little importance, everything that exists on earth, and everything that is in the heavens, and what is under the earth, and what is above the heavens, when compared. With love, he is nothing.

Then after that, as if this was not enough to express his longing, there are many other things as well, which he considers as an example, by saying: “There is no other creation.” What he says here means: If there were another creature, regardless of its value, whether it was visible or invisible, nothing could separate me from this love of Christ. He said this, not because the angels or other forces were seeking this (i.e., to separate from Christ), God forbid. He only wanted to show his great love for Christ in an indescribable way. Because he did not love Christ for the sake of those things that Christ showed, but because of his love for Christ, he loved everything that was his, and the only thing he feared was to lose his love for him, because for him this represented something more terrifying than hell, so the question of his survival In this love, it represented to him something more yearning and desire than his longing to obtain the kingdom of heaven.

          6 Then how can we be worthy of this, if the Apostle Paul does not desire even those things that are found in heaven, in light of his love and longing for Christ, while we, instead of our love for Christ, prefer those things that are found in filth and mud? He also accepted, because of his love for Christ, to be cast into hell and lose the kingdom. Although it is certain that these two (the present life and the heavenly life) were before him, while we did not despise even the present life, do we deserve to follow the example of that apostle? That is, do we follow the same path as long as we are very far from his great pride in the love of Christ? Because he did not consider even the Kingdom of Heaven to be of value compared to the love of Christ, while we despise Christ, even though we talk a lot about him. I wish we would keep talking about it, for even this no longer happens now. Rather, even though the kingdom is before us, we abandon it and chase shadows and dreams every day. But because God loves mankind and is very compassionate, He did with us the same thing that a father who loves his son does, even though this caused him pain for the sake of continued fellowship with him, and he philosophized this fellowship differently. So because we do not have that love that should be towards Him, He provided us with many other things, in order to keep us close to Him, but we did not remain close despite everything God did with us, but we returned to childish things.

          But the Apostle Paul did not do that. Rather, as a polite, free-spirited son who loved his father, he sought only his father’s company, and did not talk much about anything else, because the honor he gave to the Father, he did not give it to the things that were His, and even when he looked to the Father, he did not care at all about these things. But he prefers to be with him only, even if he is tortured and punished, rather than spending luxurious times away from him. So let us tremble because we do not despise money, not even for the sake of Christ. Rather, we say that we do not despise money, even for our own sake. Because Saint Paul was the only one who truly suffered all the suffering for the sake of Christ, not for the sake of the kingdom, nor for his dignity, but only for the sake of his love for Christ. But we cannot be separated from the things of life, for the sake of Christ, and the things connected with Him, but rather we are drawn into the mud like serpents, snakes, pigs, or like all of these together. So are we better than those animals in any way, we who have so many amazing examples that lived for Christ, and we still look down, and cannot bear to look even a little towards the sky? And the God who gave his Son to death, the one who was sacrificed for you, do not give him even bread. God did not spare Him for your sake, and you despise Him who is a true son, even though He is starving, while you provide for yourself from His gifts.

          Could there be anything worse than this violation? He was handed over to death for you, he was sacrificed for you, he went around hungry for you, and he gave you what was his, so that you yourself could benefit, and despite all this, you are not given. Who are these people who have lost their sense of being stones, who, despite the many good deeds that attract them to the love of Christ, are still in this satanic coldness or cruelty? Because He was not satisfied with His death and crucifixion only, but He accepted to become poor, a stranger, homeless, naked, imprisoned, and endure pain in order to attract you to Him, even if in this way. Because if you do not reciprocate your gratitude because I suffered something for you, give me mercy because of my poverty (i.e. mercy for those in need). And if you do not want to have mercy on me because of my need or poverty, let your feelings be moved because of my pain, and be kind to me because of my imprisonment. If all this does not make you a lover of people, accept the small request. Because I do not ask for anything of great expense, I ask for bread, shelter, and a comforting word. But if after all this you are still cruel, then at least for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven you must be better, if only for the sake of the reward you were promised. Do you have a word to say about these matters? I wish you would at least be kind to human nature itself, because you see me naked, and remember that nakedness that occurred on the cross for your sake. And if you don't want to remember that, at least remember my nakedness in the poor. I was imprisoned for you before, and now I am imprisoned for you until you move, whether here or there, to show some mercy.

          I fasted for you, and I also hunger for you. I was thirsty when I was hung on the cross, and I thirst among the poor, so that through these and those, I would draw you to Me, and make you a lover of people for your salvation. Therefore, although you are indebted to me for countless good deeds (I have given you), I do not ask you for a reward as someone who owes me, but rather I crown you as if you were giving me, and I grant you the kingdom in exchange for these small things. Because I tell you, do not give me wealth, even though I have become poor for your sake, but only meet my needs. I only ask for bread, clothing, and hunger relief. And if I have yet been thrown into prison, I do not ask that you undo the chains and take me out, but I ask one thing, that you see me chained for your sake, and then only for this, I grant you heaven. Although I have released you from very terrifying chains, even more terrifying than others, it is enough for me just for you to see me in chains, if you want. I can crown you without you seeing me like this, but I want to be your debtor. For this reason, even though I could feed myself, I wander as a beggar and stand in front of your door, extending my hand. Because I long for you to feed me, because I love you so much. That is why I desire your table, and this is the condition of those who love, and they are proud of this. When the inhabitants of the world gather (on the Day of Judgment), then I will acknowledge you as a victor, and when everyone is listening to me, I will acknowledge you for feeding me.

          As for us, when someone feeds us, we are ashamed of this and hide it, but Christ has glory, because he loves us very much. Even if we remain silent, he will announce at that time what happened with great flattery and he is not ashamed to speak of it, when he was naked and we clothed him, and when he was hungry. And we fed him. So as we think about all this, we should not only stop praising, but we should put into practice those things that have been said. Because what is the benefit behind this buzzing and this inconvenience? Only one thing I want from you is to prove love by deeds, and obedience by deeds. This is the praise I offer, for this is a profit for you, and for me it is considered a dignity that is superior to the dignity of a wreath. Then weave this wreath for you and me through the poor, so that we may be nourished together with good hope, and when we depart to eternal life, we will receive the countless good things that we all expect to receive, through the grace and love of humanity that belong to our Lord Jesus Christ, who deserves glory and honor to Him with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Forever and ever, Amen.

[1] Romans 8:18, 22, 24, 25, 26.

[2] 2 Corinthians 9:12.

[3] 2 Corinthians 10:12.

[4] 2 Corinthians 5:20.

[5] Psalm 44:22.

[6] Acts 16:4.