Romans 8:19-23 For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.… The physiologist is forced to see in the human body the intended goal and masterpiece of animal organisation which appears as nothing else than a long effort to reach this consummation. As the breaking of the bud renders sterile the branch which bore it, so the fall of man involved that of the world. As Schelling said, "Nature, with its melancholy charm, resembles a bride who, at the very moment when she was fully attired for marriage, saw the bridegroom to whom she was to be united die on the very day fixed for the wedding. She still stands with her fresh crown and in her bridal dress, but her eyes are full of tears." The soul of the poet philosopher here meets that of the apostle. The ancient thinkers spoke much of a soul of the world. The idea was not a vain dream. The soul of the world is man. The whole Bible and this important passage rest on this profound idea. (Prof. Godet.) 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. |
    |