Romans 8:39

39. Nor height, nor depth Two antithetic potencies of space. The interpretation of heights and depths as equivalent to heaven and hell is scarce commensurate with the apostle’s conception. He designates the opposite extremes of immensity. Height indicates the sublimity of loftiness or grandeur; depth the sublimity of darkness, obscurity, and terror. Both personified suggest limitless power for unknown destruction.

Any other creature Any other nature or being, save God and the man himself. Only these two (neither of whom are named in the list) can work the terrible separation. The former never will; the dread alternative rests solely in the power of the latter. (See notes on John 17:27, 28.)

So closes the Argument of the apostle, (to be supplemented by the Defence,) winding off and up into a final Anthem. And so we may say that the entire book, as an Argument, is a book of grand climaxes. Over and over again it begins in gloom, struggles through trials, and ends in triumph. Its topic is human ruin and renovation, beginning with the awful first three chapters, and closing with this grand eighth. Then, Abraham begins in Gentilism, and ends in justification. The antithesis of Adam and Christ finishes with abounding grace and eternal life. The struggling convictof chapter seventh finishes in emancipation and glory; and even the coming Defence, starting with the downfall of Israel, ends with a cheering hope of his restoration. (Note on Romans 14:23.)