Romans 8:18-26

In the preceding verses the thoughts worked out in 2 Cor. l.c[161] have been summarised. In these verses the Apostle includes a wider range of thought, characteristic of Eph. and Col. Man’s present state is shown to have its analogy in the whole material creation, which is all undergoing a vital change, from the transitory and perishable to the eternal and spiritual. The connexion between man and creation lies in his physical nature; the full redemption of this nature, when it is brought under the complete control of the spirit by the life of GOD communicated through Christ, will also be the liberation of all the physical creation from the limitations under which it now lies. The whole conception is difficult but sublime in the extreme. It is based upon the idea that the living GOD must in the end bring His whole creation to be, in its parts and degrees, a perfect manifestation of His own character and life. Cf. Ephesians 3:9-10; Colossians 1:16 ff.

[161] l.c. locus citatus