More Than Conquerors

 In our last home Bible study the thought came up about being more than conquerors found in Romans chapter 8. The question was, once you have conquered, how can you conquer more? One answer had to do with quantity. We win one so that we can win more. But that didn't quite sound right to me. So I came home and did a little Bible study.

The word "more than conquerors" is the Greek word hupernikao, and it means what it says. To gain a surpassing victory, to have victory beyond measure, to thoroughly conquer. But again, if you have victory, how can you have more than victory? In this instance, when this is the only place this word is used in the New Testament, the context of the usage sheds some light on how the word was used or intended to be understood.

In verse 35 the apostle talks about the trials of life; tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, the sword. In verse 36 he says that life can eat you up and spit you out. We are counted like mere sheep for the slaughter. The world cares little for us except by how much they can gain from us.

Then, in verse 37, the apostle says that in light of our trials and troubles, God makes us to be more than conquerors. Not in the number of times we overcome, but in the depth of faith that we cling to in the midst of our troubles. Not in our own strength, but by His mighty power.

In verse 38 and 39, the apostle uses the word persuaded. Paul had been through some things. And the lesson he learned through it all was that he became persuaded that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ. This begins to make it all become clear. When we love God in spite of the current difficulties we are more than conquerors. When we love God in spite of our situation or our circumstances we are more than conquerors, When we hold fast to Jesus no matter who is trying to tear us away we are more than conquerors. This speaks of quality, not quantity. 

Once again we find that it is in Jesus that we find all that we need. He did not bring us this far to leave us.