Romans 8:18 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. I. WHAT ARE THE SUFFERINGS HERE INTENDED. 1. Those of "this present time" in the present disordered and fallen state of things. While man was a stranger to sin, he was also a stranger to suffering. But when sin found an entrance it made an opening for suffering. How various are the kinds and degrees of suffering, and how many are the quarters from whence it arises! What faculty of mind, what sense or member of body, what possession, connection, or enjoyment in life, may not become a source of sorrow? We may suffer through fires, inundations, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, inclement seasons. And what is more dreadful than any of them, we may see fields of battle covered with the dead, and resounding with the groans of the dying. Behold the widow, orphan, prisoner, slave. We may "return and consider all the oppressions done under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 4:1, 2), all introduced by sin, that pregnant womb. 2. Now, even in these general sufferings the people of God have more or less their share. But, besides these, they have sufferings peculiar to themselves. They mourn in Zion, sorrow for sins, their own or those of others: they "deny themselves," and "take up their cross," "crucify the flesh," are "reproached for the name of Christ," and, in various ways, are made partakers of Christ's sufferings. 3. But the apostle spoke more particularly of the Church in that age, when the sufferings of its members were peculiarly aggravated (2 Corinthians 4:8; 1 Corinthians 4:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:4, 5; Romans 8:35; Hebrews 10:32-34; Hebrews 11:36-38). II. WHAT IS THE GLORY TO BE REVEALED. This cannot be at present fully comprehended (1 John 3:2). It implies, however — 1. A perfect state of soul, gloriously enlightened (1 Corinthians 13:12), glorious in holiness (1 John 3:2; Revelation 22:4), in happiness (Revelation 21:3-6; Revelation 22:1-5), in authority, power, and dominion (Luke 22:28-30; James 1:12; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 3:21). 2. A perfect and glorious state of body (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:20, 43, 49, 51; Ephesians 1:19, 20; Colossians 3:4; 1 John 3:2). This is justly termed "the manifestation of the sons of God"(ver. 19), and "the adoption" (vers. 23, 29). 3. The being placed in a world of glory, which will far exceed this world. 4. The being admitted into glorious society, even that of patriarchs and prophets, evangelists and apostles, saints and angels. 5. The having free, constant, uninterrupted communion with the Father of glory through the Lord of glory, and by the glorious Spirit. III. HOW IT APPEARS THAT THE SUFFERINGS ARE NOT TO BE COMPARED TO THE GLORY. Compare — 1. The subjects of the suffering and of the glory. Our powers of body and mind are limited. Any great weight of affliction soon crushes the frail body, and causes it to seek repose in death. The narrow capacity of the mind, likewise, cannot admit at once a very large measure of trouble of any kind; one sorrow is wont to displace another. 2. But the glory to be revealed in us will be the glory of an angel. Our vessels will then be wonderfully enlarged, and rendered capable of containing a large measure of felicity and glory. 3. Their nature and design. (1) The sufferings are not designed to be a proper punishment of sin. God only corrects that He may reform and amend. (2) The glory, however, will be a reward proper for an infinite Being to bestow on those whom He acknowledges to be His children (chap. Romans 9:23; Hebrews 11:16). 4. The degree of the one and the other. The sufferings of the present time, however great, are not without any mixture of consolation. But the glory to be revealed will be pure glory and felicity, unmixed with the least alloy of sorrow. 5. The constancy of the one and the other. The sufferings of the present life are seldom, if ever, incessant, but the glory will be incessant, without change, unless for the better. 6. Their duration. The sufferings of the present time are the sufferings of a creature of a day (1 Corinthians 7:29-31). But the glory is that of an immortal being; a being that can die no more either in soul or body. IV. IN WHOM THIS GLORY WILL BE REVEALED; OR WHO HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPECT IT? 1. Not in mankind in general, though all be redeemed with the blood of Christ. For a man may "frustrate the grace of God" (Galatians 2:21). 2. Not in all that profess Christianity. For a man may "profess to know God, and by works deny Him." 3. Not in all that are outwardly unblameable. For a man may "have a name to live and be dead." 4. But in all that so believe the gospel as to find it "the power of God unto salvation." (J. Benson.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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