18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Commentary
Vs. 18 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
Here the Apostle Paul does not reflect upon his own sufferings for the Kingdom of heavens sake, rather his focus is fully on the future glory that shall be revealed in all us who believe in Jesus Christ. And so he can boldly say of both his and our sufferings down here that they are not worthy to be compared with that future glory up there. Where Jesus Christ's resurrected glory shall be fully seen in us all. Now what "not worthy" literally means here is that our sufferings have absolutely no comparable value to our future glory with Christ. Like trying to equate a millimeter with a mile. And so whatever trials and tribulations we must pass through in this life before God reveals His glory in us there, these should only be seen as just that, temporary and fleeting.
Vs. 19 "For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God."
The eager anticipation of all of creation which itself is intently watching/waiting for the revealing of the sons of God. For with the revealing of the sons of God its own redemption from sin and death will be ushered in as well when the Lord Jesus Christ sets up His Everlasting Kingdom (consider Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:3).
Vs. 20-21 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
With Adam and Eve's fall, and sin entering the world through them, God subjected not only them, but all of creation to futility. And that is the current state of all of creation, held down and held in bondage and corruption and decay through sin. And so there is this futility about it all, often seen through the endless cycles of birth, life, and death and all the worthless endeavours in between that bring neither peace nor rest to ones soul. Indeed all of creation manifests that tossed and turbulent and alienated state from God that it is all now under because of sin. Now if that was all that there is to this life, then God would have subjected all of creation to futility without hope. But that is not what God did, He subjected creation to futility in hope. In the hope of its redemption. A Redemption which from the very beginning is spoken of in the Bible as coming only through our Lord Jesus Christ. And so it is that just as we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have been delivered from that futility, so all of creation itself will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (vs. 21). When the Lord Jesus Christ returns and sets up His everlasting Kingdom in a new heavens and new earth (see Isaiah 65:17-25; 2 Peter 3:3; Rev 21:3-8). Until then we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are the "firstfruits" of God's redemption of all of creation, being not only new creations In Christ, but we will be apart of the whole new creation when Christ returns.
Vs. 22 -23 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
And so it is that all of creation groans and labors with birth pangs waiting for its own redemption from sin. Just as we who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. Thus there is this groaning from creation which is also longing for its own redemption from sin and death. But until that Day, we who believe have the firstfruits of the Spirit who has sealed our persons guaranteeing our adoption and the redemption of our bodies (Eph 1:13-14). For our souls having already been redeemed and transferred into the Kingdom of heaven, our bodies will also be transformed into their final eternal glorious state when Christ returns and sets up His everlasting Kingdom (see 1 Cor 15:35-49; 1 Thess 4:13-18).
Vs. 24-25 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
For we were saved in this hope, of having a future with Christ that will be free of sin, and thus all of the travails and pain and sorrow and death because of it. For that is when sin (with all of it's pernicious effects) will cease to ever be in us or around us, creation having likewise been delivered from it all forever. Hope then like faith is not something that we have by observance (consider 2 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 11:3). Hope like faith comes from the assurance of knowing God's Person and His Unalterable Character and Word. Therefore if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance, because we know and believe the Source and the Guarantor of it.
Vs. 26-27 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Therefore, just as the Spirit of God has sealed us and is sanctifying us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for all eternity, so His Work down here also entails the ministry of intercession. For He not only gives life to our mortal bodies, and Spirit gifts to our persons, but He also helps in our weaknesses (vs. 25). Weakness here being an encompassing thought, whether physical, mental, or spiritual. It is the Spirit of God in our times of weakness or duress who comes alongside of us in prayer and makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (vs. 26). Now these groanings are not "tongues speaking", these are the Spirit interceding to God for us, whose groanings cannot be uttered. For it is the Spirit of God whose groanings on our behalf God alone understands. For just as God searches the hearts, He also knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God (vs. 27). Thus the glorious congruity of the Trinity always works together in perfect harmony on our behalf. With Jesus our High Priest always making intercession for us (Rom 8:34, Heb. 7:25). Though the emphasis here is on the Spirit of God, because in this chapter His work in our persons and lives is being highlighted.
Vs. 28-30 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
And so it is our Sovereign God and Father who is working out all things together for our good. Not that all things we experience in our lives are good or will be good. Rather God is working all things together for good, to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Vs. 28).
Now that we love God is something that we have from God, who alone is love and who places His love in each and every one of us who repent and believe in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ through the Gospel (Rom 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14; 1 John 4:19). For God's promise here is to all of us who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. A purpose that begins and ends with the glorification of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus our being called by Him is so that we might become apart of that grand purpose, of becoming a people through whom His Son is praised and ultimately glorified.
Now God's foreknowledge of us means in His eternal knowledge of all things He chose us beforehand (LN), and thus is linked with His election of our persons (Eph. 1:4), and here specifically of His predestination of our persons to be conformed to the image of His Son. Therefore we know that all things work together for our good, because having known us in eternity past, God is working out for us an eternal future with Himself, with that great goal in mind of conforming us to the image of His Son. Everything in between then is in many ways a part of our journey as we pass from one glory to the other, until Jesus takes His place as the firstborn amongst many brethren, having the highest place of prominence and pre eminence amongst us all who believe in Him (vs. 29).
"Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."
There is then no happenchance of our coming to know God personally through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. From start to finish God has brought about our salvation, working His will into our lives at just the right time in His eternal designs for us all. Notice to in the progression: "predestined", "called", "justified", "glorified" from start to finish it is all the Work of God. And so we have hope in even our most hopeless circumstances, joy in our most defeated times, and guidance in our search for direction. Because we know that it is our Sovereign God and Father who is working out for us and through us His eternal plans for us all who believe in and seek to obey His Son.
Scripture Quotations
The eager anticipation of all of creation which itself is intently watching/waiting for the revealing of the sons of God. For with the revealing of the sons of God its own redemption from sin and death will be ushered in as well when the Lord Jesus Christ sets up His Everlasting Kingdom (consider Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:3).
Vs. 20-21 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
With Adam and Eve's fall, and sin entering the world through them, God subjected not only them, but all of creation to futility. And that is the current state of all of creation, held down and held in bondage and corruption and decay through sin. And so there is this futility about it all, often seen through the endless cycles of birth, life, and death and all the worthless endeavours in between that bring neither peace nor rest to ones soul. Indeed all of creation manifests that tossed and turbulent and alienated state from God that it is all now under because of sin. Now if that was all that there is to this life, then God would have subjected all of creation to futility without hope. But that is not what God did, He subjected creation to futility in hope. In the hope of its redemption. A Redemption which from the very beginning is spoken of in the Bible as coming only through our Lord Jesus Christ. And so it is that just as we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have been delivered from that futility, so all of creation itself will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (vs. 21). When the Lord Jesus Christ returns and sets up His everlasting Kingdom in a new heavens and new earth (see Isaiah 65:17-25; 2 Peter 3:3; Rev 21:3-8). Until then we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are the "firstfruits" of God's redemption of all of creation, being not only new creations In Christ, but we will be apart of the whole new creation when Christ returns.
Vs. 22 -23 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
And so it is that all of creation groans and labors with birth pangs waiting for its own redemption from sin. Just as we who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. Thus there is this groaning from creation which is also longing for its own redemption from sin and death. But until that Day, we who believe have the firstfruits of the Spirit who has sealed our persons guaranteeing our adoption and the redemption of our bodies (Eph 1:13-14). For our souls having already been redeemed and transferred into the Kingdom of heaven, our bodies will also be transformed into their final eternal glorious state when Christ returns and sets up His everlasting Kingdom (see 1 Cor 15:35-49; 1 Thess 4:13-18).
Vs. 24-25 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
For we were saved in this hope, of having a future with Christ that will be free of sin, and thus all of the travails and pain and sorrow and death because of it. For that is when sin (with all of it's pernicious effects) will cease to ever be in us or around us, creation having likewise been delivered from it all forever. Hope then like faith is not something that we have by observance (consider 2 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 11:3). Hope like faith comes from the assurance of knowing God's Person and His Unalterable Character and Word. Therefore if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance, because we know and believe the Source and the Guarantor of it.
Vs. 26-27 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Therefore, just as the Spirit of God has sealed us and is sanctifying us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for all eternity, so His Work down here also entails the ministry of intercession. For He not only gives life to our mortal bodies, and Spirit gifts to our persons, but He also helps in our weaknesses (vs. 25). Weakness here being an encompassing thought, whether physical, mental, or spiritual. It is the Spirit of God in our times of weakness or duress who comes alongside of us in prayer and makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (vs. 26). Now these groanings are not "tongues speaking", these are the Spirit interceding to God for us, whose groanings cannot be uttered. For it is the Spirit of God whose groanings on our behalf God alone understands. For just as God searches the hearts, He also knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God (vs. 27). Thus the glorious congruity of the Trinity always works together in perfect harmony on our behalf. With Jesus our High Priest always making intercession for us (Rom 8:34, Heb. 7:25). Though the emphasis here is on the Spirit of God, because in this chapter His work in our persons and lives is being highlighted.
Vs. 28-30 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
And so it is our Sovereign God and Father who is working out all things together for our good. Not that all things we experience in our lives are good or will be good. Rather God is working all things together for good, to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Vs. 28).
Now that we love God is something that we have from God, who alone is love and who places His love in each and every one of us who repent and believe in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ through the Gospel (Rom 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14; 1 John 4:19). For God's promise here is to all of us who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. A purpose that begins and ends with the glorification of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus our being called by Him is so that we might become apart of that grand purpose, of becoming a people through whom His Son is praised and ultimately glorified.
Now God's foreknowledge of us means in His eternal knowledge of all things He chose us beforehand (LN), and thus is linked with His election of our persons (Eph. 1:4), and here specifically of His predestination of our persons to be conformed to the image of His Son. Therefore we know that all things work together for our good, because having known us in eternity past, God is working out for us an eternal future with Himself, with that great goal in mind of conforming us to the image of His Son. Everything in between then is in many ways a part of our journey as we pass from one glory to the other, until Jesus takes His place as the firstborn amongst many brethren, having the highest place of prominence and pre eminence amongst us all who believe in Him (vs. 29).
"Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."
There is then no happenchance of our coming to know God personally through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. From start to finish God has brought about our salvation, working His will into our lives at just the right time in His eternal designs for us all. Notice to in the progression: "predestined", "called", "justified", "glorified" from start to finish it is all the Work of God. And so we have hope in even our most hopeless circumstances, joy in our most defeated times, and guidance in our search for direction. Because we know that it is our Sovereign God and Father who is working out for us and through us His eternal plans for us all who believe in and seek to obey His Son.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 123). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 362). New York: United Bible Societies
Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 123). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 362). New York: United Bible Societies
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