Jim McDonald

Romans 8:18 says, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed to usward.” With these words, the apostle introduces this section of his epistle. He will speak of the “creation,” the “whole creation,” and of “ourselves who have the firstfruits of the Spirit” (Romans 8:18-25).

Paul described his afflictions as light in 2 Corinthians 4:17. And were no other circumstances to be considered one would hardly consider them “light” (2 Corinthians 11:23-33). But Paul did not consider his afflictions by themselves; he “factored in” the glory he expected to receive, and by doing this his afflictions were “light, and just for the moment.” On the other hand, he expected to receive “an eternal weight of glory.”

With that in mind he wrote, “For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19). Twice more the apostle references “the creation,” not only does the creation wait for the “revealing of the sons of God” (v. 19); the creation “was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it” (v. 20), to the intent that “the creation should also be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God” (v. 21). The creation is mankind: it expects, it waits, it hopes — all mental qualities of mankind, but a special segment of mankind, that part of mankind that is a “new creature in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17). That this is the creation is evident: The creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God; it hopes to be delivered from mortality into the glory of the children of God. Also joining the creation in this expectation are those who wait for adoption, the redemption of the body (v. 23). These are Christians but who have the “firstfruits of the Spirit,” obviously, the apostles.

On the other hand there is the “whole creation which groaneth and travaileth in pain unto now” (v. 22). These are those of mankind who have not the expectation of the “creation”. They do not have the revealing of the sons of God, nor of the first fruits of the Spirit who waiteth for the adoption, the redemption of their body. The whole creation simply groans and travail “in pain until now.” Those who identify “the whole creation” as the vegetable and animal world find it extremely difficult to prove that the vegetable and animal world “groaneth and travaileth in pain.” We understand, of course, animals suffer pain, but that pain is not in expectation of a future resurrection. Christians are part of the “whole creation” and not the same nature as the vegetable and animal world. Christians hope for a glorious, future resurrection.

Yet, while the Christians and apostles (in particular) did suffer, they and Christians now look forward to a time when mortality will be exchanged for immortality; when an inglorious death gives way to a glorious resurrection; and, when weakness is exchanged for power to the time when our natural body becomes a spiritual one.

While we wait for that glorious occasion, the Spirit helps our infirmities. We know not how to pray as we should. Even the apostles felt such inadequacies when beseeching the Lord, “Rabbi, teach us to pray, even as John taught his disciples.” The Holy Spirit (through His Word) teaches us. More than that, He (along with our Savior) makes petitions for us “with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). He who searches the heart (i.e. the Holy Spirit) knows “what is the mind of the Spirit.” The Spirit searches our hearts, not His own, and He knows what is the “mind of the Spirit.” That is, He recognizes those longings and desires in our hearts which conform to those of the Spirit, and expresses those longings for us to our Father.

Someday, our spiritual desires and longings will be realized. Our bodies will be raised and God’s children will be given bodies like our Redeemer and we will forever be with the Lord. What a wondrous hope that is!