. . . patristic
interpreters are virtually united in taking the “if” of 8:17 quite seriously.
Diodore of Tarsus (d. ca. 390) makes the point with almost shocking directness:
“If we suffer with him we shall be worthy to be glorified with him as well.
This glory is the reward of our sufferings and is not to be regarded as a free
gift. The free gift is that we have received remission from our former sins.”
(Quoted from Bray, Romans [ACCS], 219) Sins are remitted by grace, but
this does not mean that future glorification becomes a given. If not always so
terse – and juridical – as Diodore, Orthodox interpreters generally agree the εἴπερ is conditional here. The idea that eschatological
salvation is conditional or merited in any way was anathema to Calvin. (See Epistles,
171) Among more recent commentators, Cranfield denies the conditional meaning
of εἴπερ, translating it as “seeing
that”. In other words, Christians were already suffering, so that was a fact,
and as such, they could trust in future glorification. Dunn argues for the
conditional meaning of εἴπερ, resulting in an interpretation
generally in line with the Orthodox view. The issue is not an easy one to
resolve, as Paul can use εἴπερ with
a meaning of “seeing that” (probably Rom 3:30, though the meaning “if indeed”
also works; cf. 2 Thess 1:6). And yet, the overall context of 8:17 indicates
that the conditional meaning is more likely, as Paul has used numerous
conditional statements in 8:9–17 (see especially verses 9 and 13). This is
borne out by Paul’s usage elsewhere (1 Cor 8:5; 15:15, where it seems to be
emphatic), and the simple fact that so many ancient interpreters immersed in
Greek naturally read it this way. (James Buchanan Wallace, "Identities at Rick: The “New Perspective
on Paul” and Eastern Orthodox Interpretation of Romans 8:14-17, 28-30," in
Participation, Justification, and Conversion: Eastern Orthodox
Interpretation of Paul and the Debate between "Old and New Perspectives on
Paul," ed. Athanasios Despotis [Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum
Neuen Testament 2. Reihe 442; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2017], 291-92)