I am Sure/Confident/Convinced

Reading in Rom 8.38,39, which we might call the summit of Paul's theology, the apex. He begins it with this statement, I am sure (ESV). I don't really like the ESV's translation here because Paul uses the perfect tense which one uses of something that was true in the past, is true now, and willl be true into the future. It is a very strong tense, and Paul makes a very forthright comment. He deliberately uses the perfect tense (pepeismai), meaning, ‘I have become and I remain convinced’, for the conviction he expresses is rational, settled and unalterable. (John Stott).

So whether we translate it as I am sure, or I am convinced, or I am persuaded, or I am confident, Paul's message is that he has no doubt about what he is about to say; he is firm; he is without hesitation. Of what? That any created thing would or will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. THAT you can take to the bank.