Present Suffering and Future Glory

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.(A) 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God(B) to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it,(C) in hope 21 that[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay(D) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.(E)

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning(F) as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,(G) groan(H) inwardly as we wait eagerly(I) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.(J) 24 For in this hope we were saved.(K) But hope that is seen is no hope at all.(L) Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.(M)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:21 Or subjected it in hope. 21 For

God’s Spirit Helps Us

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us. 19 For the creation is eagerly awaiting the revelation of God’s children, 20 because the creation has become subject to futility, though not by anything it did.[a] The one who subjected it did so in the certainty[b] 21 that the creation itself would also be set free from corrupting bondage in order to share the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 For we know that all the rest of creation has been groaning with the pains of childbirth up to the present time. 23 However, not only the creation, but we who have the first fruits of the Spirit also groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For we were saved with this hope in mind.[c] Now a hope that can be observed is not really hope, for who hopes for what can be seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet observe, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:20 Lit. by its subjecting
  2. Romans 8:20 Lit. hope
  3. Romans 8:24 The Gk. lacks in mind