{18} And if children, then {s} heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; {19} if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

(18) A proof of what follows from the confirmation: because he who is the son of God enjoys God with Christ.

(s) Partakers of our Father's goods, and that freely, because we are children by adoption.

(19) Now Paul teaches by what way the sons of God come to that happiness, that is, by the cross, as Christ himself did: and in addition declares to them fountains of comfort: firstly, that we have Christ a companion and associate of our afflictions: secondly, that we will also be his companions in everlasting glory.

People's New Testament

8:17 If children, then heirs. Observe the chain of argument: (1) We are the sons of God (Ro 8:14). (2) This is shown by our having received the Spirit of adoption (Ro 8:15). (3) Both God's Spirit and our own spirit witness together that we are children of God (Ro 8:16). (4) But children are heirs; hence we are

heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. Under the Jewish law the older brother had a double portion, but Christ admits all to a joint share of the great inheritance.

If... we suffer with him. In the figure, we suffer with him when we are baptized into his death (Ro 6:3). We are crucified with him (Ro 6:6); become dead to sin (Ro 6:2); are buried with him (Ro 6:4); are planted together in the likeness of his death (Ro 6:5). Hence, in these respects we have the fellowship of his sufferings (Php 3:10). But we must be ready, for his sake, to bear the cross through life (Mt 16:24 Mr 8:34 10:21 Lu 9:23). If we do all these things, we shall be glorified together with him also.

Wesley's Notes

8:17 Joint heirs - That we may know it is a great inheritance which God will give us for he hath given a great one to his Son. If we suffer with him - Willingly and cheerfully, for righteousness' sake. This is a new proposition, referring to what follows.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

17. And if children, then heirs-"heirs also."

heirs of God-of our Father's kingdom.

and joint-heirs with Christ-as the "First-born among many brethren" (Ro 8:29), and as "Heir of all things" (Heb 1:2).

if so be that we suffer-"provided we be suffering with Him."

that we may be also glorified together-with Him. This necessity of conformity to Christ in suffering in order to participate in His glory, is taught alike by Christ Himself and by His apostles (Joh 12:24-26; Mt 16:24, 25; 2Ti 2:12).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

8:10-17 If the Spirit be in us, Christ is in us. He dwells in the heart by faith. Grace in the soul is its new nature; the soul is alive to God, and has begun its holy happiness which shall endure for ever. The righteousness of Christ imputed, secures the soul, the better part, from death. From hence we see how much it is our duty to walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. If any habitually live according to corrupt lustings, they will certainly perish in their sins, whatever they profess. And what can a worldly life present, worthy for a moment to be put against this noble prize of our high calling? Let us then, by the Spirit, endeavour more and more to mortify the flesh. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit brings a new and Divine life to the soul, though in a feeble state. And the sons of God have the Spirit to work in them the disposition of children; they have not the spirit of bondage, which the Old Testament church was under, through the darkness of that dispensation. The Spirit of adoption was not then plentifully poured out. Also it refers to that spirit of bondage, under which many saints were at their conversion. Many speak peace to themselves, to whom God does not speak peace. But those who are sanctified, have God's Spirit witnessing with their spirits, in and by his speaking peace to the soul. Though we may now seem to be losers for Christ, we shall not, we cannot, be losers by him in the end.