Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Romans 8:17

Continues the thought of 15 and so the explanation of ζήσεσθε: if children we share the life.

κληρονόμοι. The son has a part in the possessions of the father; cf. Galatians 4:1 f.

κληρονόμοι θεοῦ. Only here (n. Galatians 4:7 διὰ θεοῦ): the idea of hereditary succession is not applicable: the O.T. usage of κληρονομία for ‘sanctioned and settled possession’ (cf. Hort, 1 Peter, p. 35) suggests that the meaning here is ‘possessors,’ possessors of GOD = possessors of the divine life (of. 2 Peter 1:4); and this agrees with the use of τέκνα. Then

συνκλ. δὲ Χριστοῦ marks the condition of our possession; we are so possessors only as sharing with Christ, by His life in us.

εἴπερ κ.τ.λ. S. H. suggest that there is a reference to a current Christian saying; cf. 2 Timothy 2:11. See above, Romans 6:9.

συνπάσχομεν … συνδοξασθῶμεν. These are the two essential characters of the divine life as revealed in Christ and, by union with Him, in man; suffering under the present conditions, ‘glory,’ or unhampered revealing of the life, when present conditions are done away in the future state. This truth is most fully worked out in 2 Corinthians 3:7-10; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 4:7 to 2 Corinthians 5:10. In that Ep. the sufferings themselves are declared to be the natural expression now of the life of Christ in us, as they were in the case of Jesus, and in them the ‘glory’ is even now present and seen; so that the present life of suffering presents a gradual growth in ‘glory’ (ib[160] Romans 3:18). The full and free manifestation is reserved for the future state, but it is the object of the present state, and already discernible in it; cf. also 1 Peter 4:13. The συν. in each case marks the result of sharing the life of Christ. συνδοξ. the aorist, and the next verse, show that the reference is to the future revelation. N. that the fundamental idea of δόξα is manifestation in act or character, esp. of GOD manifested in Christ and in the lives and character of Christians; cf. Philippians 3:21; 2 Corinthians 8:23.

[160] ib. ibidem

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Romans 8:17

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