Verse 35 The love of Christ. This expression is obviously susceptible of two significations. It may denote the love of Christ for the believer, or the love of the believer for Christ. What precedes the expression, as it here stands, seems to require that it should be understood in the former sense, as the certainty of divine protection has been the subject of the writer's remarks. But, on the other hand, what follows would rather indicate that the latter--that is, the love of the believer for Christ--is intended, as this only can be well supposed to be affected by the causes named below. On the whole, the former supposition is probably correct, as is indicated by the analogous expressions in Romans 8:37,39, especially in the latter. The meaning of the whole passage, then, will be, that the believer has no cause to fear for his ultimate safety. His present state of reconciliation with God is not accidental, and it will not be temporary. It is the result of the long-settled purpose of God. It is a work which God has undertaken; he will accomplish what he has begun; and Jesus, their Redeemer, who once gave his life for their ransom, will, now that he has risen to majesty and power, never forsake them in any of the darkest and most discouraging times of trial which they may be called to endure.