Romans 8:18-9:29

Holman Christian Standard Bible

From Groans to Glory

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing^(A) with the glory^(B) that is going to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation^(C) for God’s sons^(D) to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected^(E) to futility^(F)—not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it^(G)—in the hope ²¹ that the creation itself^(H) will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children. ²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains^(I) until now. ²³ And not only that,^(J) but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits^(K)—we also groan within ourselves,^(L) eagerly waiting for adoption,^(M) the redemption of our bodies.^{(N) 24} Now in this hope^(O) we were saved, yet hope^(P) that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see,^(Q) we eagerly wait for it with patience.

²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should,^(R) but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us^[a](S) with unspoken groanings. ²⁷ And He who searches the hearts^(T) knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

²⁸ We know that all things work together^[b] for the good^[c] of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.^{(U) 29} For those He foreknew He also predestined^(V) to be conformed to the image of His Son,^(W) so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.^{(X) 30} And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified;^(Y) and those He justified, He also glorified.^(Z)

The Believer’s Triumph

Israel’s Rejection of Christ

9 I speak the truth in Christ^(AW)—I am not lying; my conscience is testifying to me with the Holy Spirit^[e]— ² that I have intense sorrow and continual anguish in my heart. ³ For I could almost wish^(AX) to be cursed^(AY) and cut off^[f] from the Messiah for the benefit of my brothers, my own flesh and blood. ⁴ They are Israelites,^(AZ) and to them belong the adoption,^(BA) the glory,^(BB) the covenants,^(BC) the giving of the law,^(BD) the temple service,^(BE) and the promises.^{(BF) 5} The ancestors are theirs,^(BG) and from them, by physical descent,^[g] came the Messiah,^(BH) who is God^(BI) over all,^(BJ) praised forever.^[h](BK) Amen.

God’s Gracious Election of Israel

⁶ But it is not as though the word of God has failed.^(BL) For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.^{(BM) 7} Neither are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants.^[i](BN) On the contrary, your offspring will be traced^[j] through Isaac.^{(BO)[k] 8} That is, it is not the children by physical descent^[l] who are God’s children,^(BP) but the children of the promise^(BQ) are considered to be the offspring. ⁹ For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.^{(BR)[m] 10} And not only that,^(BS) but also Rebekah received a promise when she became pregnant^[n](BT) by one man, our ancestor Isaac. ¹¹ For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand—^{(BU) 12} not from works but from the One who calls—she was told: The older will serve the younger.^{(BV)[o] 13} As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.^(BW)[p]

God’s Selection Is Just

¹⁴ What should we say then?^(BX) Is there injustice with God?^(BY) Absolutely not!^{(BZ) 15} For He tells Moses:

¹⁶ So then it does not depend on human will or effort^[r](CB) but on God who shows mercy.^{(CC) 17} For the Scripture tells Pharaoh:

¹⁸ So then, He shows mercy to those He wants to, and He hardens those He wants to harden.^(CE)

¹⁹ You will say to me,^(CF) therefore, “Why then does He still find fault?^(CG) For who can resist His will?”^{(CH) 20} But who are you, a mere man, to talk back to God?^(CI) Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”^{(CJ) 21} Or has the potter no right over the clay,^(CK) to make from the same lump one piece of pottery for honor and another for dishonor? ²² And what if God, desiring to display His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience^(CL) objects of wrath ready for destruction?^{(CM) 23} And what if He did this to make known the riches of His glory^(CN) on objects of mercy^(CO) that He prepared beforehand for glory^(CP)— ²⁴ on us, the ones He also called,^(CQ) not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?^{(CR) 25} As He also says in Hosea:

²⁷ But Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:

²⁹ And just as Isaiah predicted: