Romans 8:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →As God's children we are His heirs and fellow-heirs with Christ, sharing His suffering now and His glory to come.
What Does Romans 8:17 Mean?
Paul draws out what sonship means: children are heirs. Believers are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, sharing in the inheritance the Son receives. He adds a condition, that we suffer with Christ, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
To be a joint-heir with Christ is a staggering grace; what belongs to the Son is shared with those joined to Him. The path runs through fellowship in His sufferings before fellowship in His glory, just as it did for the Master. Present hardship is not a sign of abandonment but the road along which heirs are led toward glory. The inheritance is sure, and the One who walked the way before us walks it with us still.
Romans 8:17 in the Original Language
synkleronomos (συγκληρονόμος), 'joint-heirs' -- fellow inheritors, sharing together in the same inheritance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 8:17
What does Romans 8:17 mean?
As God's children we are His heirs and fellow-heirs with Christ, sharing His suffering now and His glory to come.