Romans 8:19-23 For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.… Two wrong ways of regarding the visible creation around us — 1. Making an idol of it. 2. Professing to despise it. Scripture teaches that nature is not our master, but our fellow-servant. The passage before us teaches its connection with us, past and present, its actual condition, and its future destiny. I. NATURE IS IN SYMPATHY WITH FALLEN MAN. — "Whole creation groaneth," etc. 1. Subjected by, and for, some one: "By reason of Him." Whom? God, not Adam, as some think. (1) He subjected it. (2) And "in hope." (3) See Genesis 3:17. 2. As to the manner of subjection, two views — (1) A part reserved, Paradise; and the outside world then what it is now. (2) A mighty shock passed upon the world, previously paradisaical. Either admissible. Perhaps, in a measure, both. 3. As to the nature of the subjection. (1) To vanity (see Ephesians 4:17; 1 Peter 1:18; Ecclesiastes 1:2, 14; Psalm 62:9; Psalm 39:5). Expressive of inefficacy, aimlessness. (2) To bondage of corruption. Deeper: outcome and result of vanity. Sickness, pain, death, restraint, bondage. II. THE SUBJECTION OF NATURE NOT HOPELESS. 1. Groaneth and travaileth — not willingly subjected. Evidences of this in nature. Decay, discord, pain. 2. This longing verified by Scripture. Subjected in hope. "Earnest expectation" in creature. 3. In sympathy with regenerate man: "We ourselves groan," etc. III. THIS HOPE WILL BE REALISED. "The creature also shall be delivered," etc. 1. General truth of this asserted in Scripture (Isaiah 11:6; Isaiah 65:17; Acts 3:21; 2 Peter 3:13, etc.). 2. More particularly in this passage. From bondage of corruption to liberty of glory. Just as Christ was raised to the glory of the Father, and the sons of God to the glory of Christ, so will be the redeemed creation to the glory of the sons of God. 3. At or after the second advent. "Behold, I make all things new." Different opinions as to time and manner. As regards the thing itself, a truth of revelation. A subject of deep interest to all Christians. (Preb. Clark.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.WEB: For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. |
    |