Romans 8:35 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Who shall separate us? He continues his triumph: he does not say what, but who; though he instanceth in things, and not in persons, yet it is expressed personally, because that these things do commonly do us hurt in the improvement of persons, whether of Satan or wicked men, who are instrumental thereunto. From the love of Christ; understand it either actively, from our love of him; or passively, from his love of us. The latter seems to be chiefly intended; Who shall separate us from the love of Christ, or from the sense and manifestation thereof? Shall tribulation, &c. He makes an enumeration of particular evils, of seven in number; and he begins with the lesser, and rises to the greater; placing them in order, not casually, but by choice. The word tribulation signifies any thing that presseth or pincheth us. Or distress? The word properly signifies straitness of place, and is transferred from the body to the mind, to point out the anguish or perplexity thereof. Or persecution; the word properly signifies a driving from place to place; banishment is implied therein, if not chiefly intended: see Matthew 10:23. Or peril; any danger or hazard of life, in any kind whatsoever: see 2 Corinthians 11:26. Or sword; this is put figuratively for death itself, especially violent death.