Romans 8:23

not only they The word "they" (inserted by our Translators) perhaps indicates that they understood the passage of conscious individual beings; the world of man. (See long note on Romans 8:19.)

the firstfruits Same word as Romans 11:16; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 15:20. The idea is not that "we" have the Spirit before others have it;but that we have that measure of the Spirit which is the specimen and pledge of the fulness hereafter. St Paul now contrasts the impersonal and unconscious creation, utterly incapable of the Divine Gift, with the human subjects of grace. The word "firstfruits" is used to suggest the thought of incompleteness and anticipation. Cp. the similar word "earnest;" 2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:14.

groan within ourselves As our Lord once did (John 11:33; John 11:38). In Romans 7:14-24, we see one great instance of this "groaning" of the saint for entire freedom, in his whole being, from the power of sin. There too we see that the longing for freedom is linked with the thought of the bodyas the citadel of temptation, in its present state. Cp. 1 Corinthians 9:27 for another vivid picture of a "groaning" conflict, and there too in view of the body. "Within ourselves:" because the cause of the groan is emphatically within. Not outward afflictions so much as inner conflict are our burthen.

waiting for Same word as "waiteth for," Romans 8:19; where see note.

the adoption i.e., obviously, the final realization of our adoption; for already the believer is"the child of God;" Romans 8:14; Romans 8:16. So great and blissful a crisis will the "manifestation" of the son-ship be that it is here viewed as the beginning of the son-ship.

the redemption, &c. The realized adoption will bring this with it, will imply and involve this. The Brethren of the Incarnate Son of God will not realize the fulness of their Brotherhood till their bodiesshall be "like the body of His glory," (Philippians 3:21) The Adoption, and the Redemption of the Body, are not identical terms; but the former includes the latter, as necessary to it. "Redemption" here (as Luke 21:28; Ephesians 1:14; Ephesians 4:30; but notEphesians 1:7,) obviously means the actual and realized deliverance. The redemption-price is paid already; the redemption-liberation is to come. See note on Romans 7:24.

Again remark this unique feature of Revealed Religion; an immortal prospect for the body.

Some expositors take the body here to be the "mystical body;" the Church. But the context is clearly against it, giving us as the main idea the struggles and longings for a better future in respect of materialthings.