Romans 8:19

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. FOR ... 'The apostle (says Hodge), fired at the thought of the future glory of the saints. pours forth this splendid passage (to the end of Romans 8:22), in which he represents the whole creation groaning under its present degradation, and looking and longing for the revelation of this glory as the end and consummation of its existence.' THE EARNEST EXPECTATION OF THE CREATURE (RATHER, 'THE CREATION,') WAITETH FOR ('is waiting for'). The words here uses are exceedingly strong. That one rightly rendered "earnest expectation" [ apokaradokia (G603)] - used elsewhere only, in...

19_For the intent expectation of the creation_, _etc. _He teaches us that there is an example of the patience, to which he had exhorted us, even in mute creatures. For, to omit various interpretations, I understand the passage to have this meaning — that there is no element and no part of the world which, being touched, as it were, with a sense of its present misery, does not intensely hope for a resurrection. He indeed lays down two things, — that all are creatures in distress, — and yet that they are sustained by hope. And it hence also appears how immense is the value of eternal glory, that it can excite and draw all things to desire it. Further, the expression, _expectation expects_, or waits for, though somewhat unusual, yet has a most suitable meaning; for he meant to intimate, that all creatures, seized with great anxiety and held in suspense with great desire, look for that day w...

18-25 The sufferings of the saints strike no deeper than the things of time, last no longer than the present time, are light afflictions, and but for a moment. How vastly different are the sentence of the word and the sentiment of the world, concerning the sufferings of this present time! Indeed the whole creation seems to wait with earnest expectation for the period when the children of God shall be manifested in the glory prepared for them. There is an impurity, deformity, and infirmity, which has come upon the creature by the fall of man. There is an enmity of one creature to another. And they are used, or abused rather, by men as instruments of sin. Yet this deplorable state of the creation is in hope. God will deliver it from thus being held in bondage to man's depravity. The miseries of the human race, through their own and each other's wickedness, declare that the world is not al...

Verse 19. _FOR THE EARNEST EXPECTATION OF THE CREATURE_] There is considerable difficulty in this and the four following verses: and the difficulty lies chiefly in the meaning of the word ἡ κτισις, which we translate _the creature_, and _creation_. Some think that by it the _brute creation_ is meant; others apply it to the _Jewish people_; others to the _godly_; others to the _Gentiles_; others to the _good angels_; and others to the _fallen spirits_, both _angelic_ and _human_. Dissertations without end have been written on it; and it does not appear that the Christian world are come to any general agreement on the subject. Dr. Lightfoot's mode of explanation appears to me to be the best, on the whole. "There is," says he, "a _twofold_ key hanging at this place, which may unlock the whole, and make the sense plain and easy. 1. The _first_ is the phrase, πασα ἡ κτισις, which we rende...

FOR THE EARNEST EXPECTATION - ἀποκαραδοκία apokaradokia. This word occurs only here and in Philippians 1:20, “According to my earnest expectation and my hope,” etc. It properly denotes a state of earnest desire to see any object when the head is thrust forward; an intense anxiety; an ardent wish; and is thus well employed to denote the intense interest with which a Christian looks to his future inheritance. OF THE CREATURE - τῆς κτίσεως tēs ktiseōs.” Perhaps there is not a passage in the New Testament that has been deemed more difficult of interpretation than this Romans 8:19; and after all the labors bestowed on

EXPOSITION ROMANS 8:1 (_c_) _The blessed condition and assured hope of such as are in Christ _Jesus. The summary of the contents of this chapter, which follows the Exposition, may be referred to in the first place by the student, so as to assist comprehension of the line of thought. ROMANS 8:1 THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS. (The additional words of this verse in the Textus Receptus have but slight support, having probably been supplied from Romans 8:4. They are out of place here.) "Nunc venit ad liberationem et libertatem. Non autem ponit adversativam δὲ, _autem,_ sed conclusivam a!ra, erg

FOR THE EARNEST EXPECTATION OF THE CREATURE,.... Some by the creature understand the universe, all created beings animate and inanimate, which having suffered much by the sin of man, are introduced by a rhetorical figure, as waiting for deliverance and a restoration to their paradisiacal estate; but some part of the world is manifestly distinguished from them, Romans 8:23, others think that angels are here meant, who being obliged to minister to sinful men, are represented as groaning and longing for the time when all the children of God shall be brought in, that they may be dismissed from their service; but what is said of subjection to vanity, of the bondage of corruption, and of their groaning and travailing in pain, can never agree with such happy spirits: others suppose that men in general are designed, being by sin brought into a state of bondage and corruption, subjected to vanity...

This precious chapter reminds us of the description of the land of Havilah, «where there is gold, and the gold of that land is good.» Romans 8:1. _There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,_ There is no condemnation to them; that is gone, and gone for ever. Not only is part of it removed, but the whole of it is gone: «There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.» This is their legal status before God, in Christ Jesus, without condemnation; and this is their character: Romans 8:1. _Who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit._ Their daily conversation is according to their new spiritual nature, and according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and not according to their fleshly nature, and the guida

CHAPTER 8 _ 1. In Christ; no Condemnation but Deliverance. (Romans 8:1 .)_ 2. Flesh and Spirit. (Romans 8:5 .) 3. The Body and the Spirit. (Romans 8:9 .) 4. Sons and Heirs of God. (Romans 8:12 .) 5. The Time of Travail and Groaning; the Future Redemption. (Romans 8:18 .) 6. The intercession of the Spirit. (Romans 8:26 .) 7. The Saints Calling; the Challenge and the Assurance. ...

THE BIRTH-PANGS OF IMMORTALITY. Romans 8:18. These present sufferings are light beyond comparison, in view of the glory awaiting us at the coming revelation. The destined glory is hidden under a fleshly veil (see Romans 8:10, Php_3:21, Colossians 3:3 f.; also 1 John 3:2). Romans 8:19; Romans 8:22. With this mystery all creation is pregnant, in strained expectancy awaiting the revelation of the sons of God, sighing and groaning in travail-pains....