18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (A)are not worthy to be compared with the (B)glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the (C)eagerly awaiting creation waits for (D)the revealing of the (E)sons and daughters of God. 20 For the creation (F)was subjected to (G)futility, not willingly, but (H)because of Him who subjected it, [a]in hope 21 that (I)the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation (J)groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 (K)And not only that, but also we ourselves, having (L)the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves (M)groan within ourselves, (N)waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, (O)the redemption of our body. 24 For (P)in hope we have been saved, but (Q)hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But (R)if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:20 Or in hope; because the creation

18 For I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to the glory destined to be revealed to[a] us.

Creation Itself Groans To Share In Our Glory

19 For the eager-expectation of the creation is awaiting[b] the revelation of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility[c]— not willingly[d], but because of the One having subjected it— in hope[e] 21 that the creation itself also will be set-free from the slavery of [f] decay into the freedom of [g] the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation is groaning-together and suffering-birthpains-together[h] until the present.

We Groan For The Redemption of Our Body

23 And not only creation, but also ourselves having the firstfruit[i] of the Spirit— we ourselves also are groaning within ourselves while eagerly-awaiting adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in hope. But hope being seen is not hope, for who hopes-for what he sees? 25 But since we hope-for what we do not see, we are eagerly-awaiting it with endurance.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:18 Or, for, in.
  2. Romans 8:19 Or, eagerly-awaiting.
  3. Romans 8:20 Or, purposelessness, pointlessness.
  4. Romans 8:20 Or, not of its own will, again personifying creation.
  5. Romans 8:20 That is, in the hope granted to it that. This hope results in the eager expectation of v 19. Or, subjected it in the expectation that the creation. Or, subjected it in hope, because the creation (making this the only place in the Bible where ‘hope’ has God as the subject).
  6. Romans 8:21 Or, belonging to, leading to.
  7. Romans 8:21 That is, characterized by; or, belonging to.
  8. Romans 8:22 That is, for the birth of the new age.
  9. Romans 8:23 That is, the initial foretaste of the Spirit, the future fullness of Whom will be the harvest; or, the firstfruit which is the Spirit, He being the first installment of all the blessings God will bestow on us.