Paul throws out a challenge to any possible accuser. If someone wanted to bring a charge against God's people before God, who could make it stick? Gill admits that believers have real sins that could be charged against them, and that they may be accused by their own consciences, by Satan, and by others, but he says no charge can succeed because God Himself is the one who justifies them. Barnes puts it plainly: since God has pardoned and accepted them, "It would be absurd to suppose that he would again condemn them."

Paul answers in the same verse: "It is God that justifieth" (Romans 8:33). The Judge has already ruled in their favor. Barnes concludes, "The Christian, therefore, is secure." Paul then asks the next courtroom question, "Who is he that condemneth?" (Romans 8:34).

"Lay any thing to the charge" translates the Greek enkaleo, which Thayer defines as to call to account, bring a charge against, accuse. Outside this verse it appears in the New Testament only in Acts, in formal accusations and trials (for example, Paul's defense "touching all the things whereof I am accused," Acts 26:2). "Justifieth" (dikaioo) is also a courtroom word: to declare someone righteous. Paul has already taught that believers are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24).

This question shows God as both Judge and Justifier. The only One with the right to accuse has chosen to acquit. Gill notes that no person of the Godhead brings a charge against God's elect: not the Father, for "It is God that justifieth."

The question also echoes the servant's confidence in Isaiah 50:8-9: "He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me?" Paul gives that same confidence to every believer in Christ. Accusations may still come, but they cannot overturn God's verdict.