The love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord

Romans 8:37–39 (ESV)

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

Exposition

Paul’s message in Romans 8:37–39 is a declaration of the absolute security of believers in the love of God. His point is that nothing in all creation can sever us from the love God has revealed and given to us in Jesus Christ.
This includes:

• Physical realities (death, life)

• Spiritual forces (angels, demons, powers)

• Temporal realities (things present or future)

• Cosmic dimensions (height, depth)

• Anything else in all creation

That last phrase—“nor anything else in all creation”—is sweeping. It includes all human-made distinctions, including our denominational differences, translation preferences, and textual traditions.

Paul’s assurance transcends debates about manuscripts, translation philosophies, and traditions because the love of God is not contained or confined to one human expression of His Word—it is revealed through His Word and embodied in Christ Himself, the Living Word (John 1:1, 14).

Application to the “KJV Only” / Verbal Plenary Preservation / Perfect TR Movements

Those who affirm that only one Bible version (such as the King James Version) or one textual tradition (such as the Textus Receptus) is perfectly preserved often do so out of a sincere desire to honor God’s Word. That zeal for the Bible should be appreciated.
However, the danger arises when that zeal crosses into exclusivity—when it implies that others who read or teach from a different faithful translation are somehow less faithful, less spiritual, or further from the truth.

Romans 8:37–39 reminds us that God’s love is not chained to one version of the Bible.
The Spirit of God is not bound by translation; He speaks through any faithful rendering of Scripture to reveal Christ and draw people into His love.

Key Reminders for All Believers and Teachers

1. God’s love precedes our translations.
   The manuscripts, languages, and translations are human instruments through which the eternal message of divine love is communicated. The instruments vary, but the music of God’s grace remains the same.

2. Faithful translations share one purpose.
   Whether it’s KJV, ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, or others, all faithful translations seek to point readers to the same Christ and the same gospel that saves.

3. Division over versions can distract from the gospel.
   When we make a translation or textual theory the test of faithfulness, we risk replacing the centrality of Christ with the centrality of a human product. This divides the Body rather than unites it in the love of Christ.

4. God’s love is what transforms hearts, not linguistic purity.
   People across the world have come to faith through many different translations, in many languages. What matters most is that the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection is clearly proclaimed and received by faith.

A Loving Exhortation

To our brothers and sisters who hold to KJV-Only or Perfect TR views:
Your passion for Scripture is commendable. But remember — the God who inspired the Word also works through all who faithfully translate and teach it. The same love that conquered death and hell is greater than our differences in translation.

Let us not use the Word of God to separate those whom the love of God has united.
Instead, let’s rejoice that God’s Word — in every faithful translation — continues to reveal His unbreakable love in Christ.

Summary Thought

The unshakable truth of Romans 8:37–39 assures us that nothing — not even our differing Bible versions — can separate us from God’s love in Christ.
The purpose of every faithful translation is not to compete for perfection but to proclaim the perfect love of God revealed in Jesus.