"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected [the same] in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.
Rom. 8:18-23
Well, folks...I hope you're rested up and ready to go! This section of Scripture has some tricky turns along the road to understanding, not to mention a few bumps to boot. So, let's proceed with care....
These verses have some rather interesting translations taking place that warrant a closer look at the Greek.
Rom. 8:18-23
Well, folks...I hope you're rested up and ready to go! This section of Scripture has some tricky turns along the road to understanding, not to mention a few bumps to boot. So, let's proceed with care....
These verses have some rather interesting translations taking place that warrant a closer look at the Greek.
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
For the most part, the verse pretty much has been translated as closely to the Greek text as possible. Paul has stated that, as far as his conclusions go, the afflictions that are happening now aren't worth even being compared to the future glorification that involves all Christians. But, the verse says, "glory which shall be revealed in us." The Greek shows this as μελλουσαν δοξαν αποκαλυφθηναι εις ημας (mello(san) doxa apokalupto eis hemas), which can be literally translated as "glory which is revealed to us" or "glory which is revealed in us."
Why the big deal about this? Because, this is one area where the KJV gets it right and many modern translations don't. As we saw in the last post, we who are saved have been made heirs along side Jesus. By our adoption into God's family, we have the promise of the same glorification that Jesus receives. This fact shows that this verse is talking about the glorification being in us. The other translation makes the glory just something to be seen externally by us. This is a BIG difference!
However, the KJV makes a bit of a slip in the translation in the next few verses.
Why the big deal about this? Because, this is one area where the KJV gets it right and many modern translations don't. As we saw in the last post, we who are saved have been made heirs along side Jesus. By our adoption into God's family, we have the promise of the same glorification that Jesus receives. This fact shows that this verse is talking about the glorification being in us. The other translation makes the glory just something to be seen externally by us. This is a BIG difference!
However, the KJV makes a bit of a slip in the translation in the next few verses.
"For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God."
Again, most of this verse is a very literal translation, and is quite clear as read. The error here is in the Greek word κτισεως (ktisis), which can be either creature or creation. It is very hard to figure out what creature would be awaiting the revelation of the newly adopted children of God. However, it makes much more sense to see how the creation (all of God's creation) would be waiting for us to be presented. We can see this sense displayed in the next verse.
Again, most of this verse is a very literal translation, and is quite clear as read. The error here is in the Greek word κτισεως (ktisis), which can be either creature or creation. It is very hard to figure out what creature would be awaiting the revelation of the newly adopted children of God. However, it makes much more sense to see how the creation (all of God's creation) would be waiting for us to be presented. We can see this sense displayed in the next verse.
"For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected [the same] in hope,"
So, here in verse twenty, we read that (again, correcting the translation of ktisis) the creation was placed under submission to vain depravity (Greek: ματαιοτητι - mataiotes). This subjugation was not something that was wanted by creation. It was placed upon creation by God, who also has also subjected it to hope.
Why does God's creation care about being under the curse of such depravity? Why would it look forward with hope to the children of God being produced?
So, here in verse twenty, we read that (again, correcting the translation of ktisis) the creation was placed under submission to vain depravity (Greek: ματαιοτητι - mataiotes). This subjugation was not something that was wanted by creation. It was placed upon creation by God, who also has also subjected it to hope.
Why does God's creation care about being under the curse of such depravity? Why would it look forward with hope to the children of God being produced?
"Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."
Once again, substitute "creation" into the position of "creature". The reason that God's creation longed for the rebirth of spiritually dead people into adopted children of God is that this process will lead to freedom from the corruption of sinful depravity and vanity for all of God's creation.
The second part of verse twenty-one has another point of interest for translation. "into the glorious liberty" is seen in Greek as εις την ελευθεριαν της δοξης. There is that word, "eis", again. So, we can read this portion as either "to the glorious liberty" or "in the glorious liberty." One way implies that somehow letting creation be delivered from bondage produces glorious liberty. The other way shows that through the glorious liberty, creation finds freedom. The second way is the only one that makes sense. The verse ends by confirming that this liberty belongs to the children of God.
Verse twenty-two confirms the things we have seen to this point. ALL of God's creation is aware of the curse that rests upon it. Both of the words describing creation's actions (συστεναζει - sustenazo, to groan together as a group and συνωδινει - sunodino, to suffer pain together as a group) show that the group of entities that comprise God's total creation suffer together at this time.
In verse twenty-three, we see that not only creation is crying out for the freedom to come, but....
The second part of verse twenty-one has another point of interest for translation. "into the glorious liberty" is seen in Greek as εις την ελευθεριαν της δοξης. There is that word, "eis", again. So, we can read this portion as either "to the glorious liberty" or "in the glorious liberty." One way implies that somehow letting creation be delivered from bondage produces glorious liberty. The other way shows that through the glorious liberty, creation finds freedom. The second way is the only one that makes sense. The verse ends by confirming that this liberty belongs to the children of God.
Verse twenty-two confirms the things we have seen to this point. ALL of God's creation is aware of the curse that rests upon it. Both of the words describing creation's actions (συστεναζει - sustenazo, to groan together as a group and συνωδινει - sunodino, to suffer pain together as a group) show that the group of entities that comprise God's total creation suffer together at this time.
In verse twenty-three, we see that not only creation is crying out for the freedom to come, but....
"And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body."
Even we Christians, which have the Holy Spirit sealing us by His indwelling, find our spirits crying out as we await the completion of our adoption. That process, already well on it's way, will be finished when even our bodies are delivered from their current corruption by sin. This will happen when we are given our glorified bodies, where our flesh is made anew.
So, to summarize what we've covered today, allow me show a few verses that set the framework of what is going on here on earth:
So, to summarize what we've covered today, allow me show a few verses that set the framework of what is going on here on earth:
"All these [are] the beginning of sorrows."
Matt. 24:8
This verse was used by Jesus when describing the events of the end times. The word "sorrows" is the Greek word ωδινων (odin), which is very often associated with the birth pangs of a woman about to give birth. When Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, He became, if you will, the conception of a new body, the bride of Jesus ("And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife." Rev. 21:9. For two-thousand years, that body, which is His church, has added new members, each with a position and role as defined by God's will ("But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him." 1 Cor. 12:18.) Now, that the Age of Gentiles is at an end, creation is experiencing birth pangs. Very, very soon, the bride will be delivered to her bridegroom, to be with Him forever.
We are God's children. We are the Lamb's bride. We are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Praise Abba, Father--God Almighty!
In our next study, we'll be looking at the hope of the Christian.
Grace and Peace....
Matt. 24:8
This verse was used by Jesus when describing the events of the end times. The word "sorrows" is the Greek word ωδινων (odin), which is very often associated with the birth pangs of a woman about to give birth. When Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, He became, if you will, the conception of a new body, the bride of Jesus ("And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife." Rev. 21:9. For two-thousand years, that body, which is His church, has added new members, each with a position and role as defined by God's will ("But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him." 1 Cor. 12:18.) Now, that the Age of Gentiles is at an end, creation is experiencing birth pangs. Very, very soon, the bride will be delivered to her bridegroom, to be with Him forever.
We are God's children. We are the Lamb's bride. We are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Praise Abba, Father--God Almighty!
In our next study, we'll be looking at the hope of the Christian.
Grace and Peace....
