---

We begin with the future estate and condition of believers, which is supposed in these words, "The glorious liberty of the children of God." First, their bodies shall be free from those evils and infirmities which they are here subject unto. Here we see how many sicknesses (2 Corinthians 15:45). This may serve very much to satisfy them in all the present inconveniences and disparagements which may now fall upon them. Secondly, as there shall be a liberty of the body at that time, so of the soul likewise. First, from those natural defects which are now adherent to it, as ignorance, forgetfulness, indiscretion, weakness of imagination. And secondly, from spiritual distempers and inordinacy of passion, etc. And this is another sweet encouragement likewise to all the servants of God, especially such as groan under their present weaknesses and imperfections and the bondage of a distracted spirit, which cannot perform holy duties with that freedom and enlargement as they desire. Thirdly, for their whole persons; there shall be a liberty of them also. They shall be free in their names from those reproaches which are here cast upon them. The use which we are to make of it is, that seeing there is such a blessed estate as this is to be expected, that therefore we would for our parts labour to have a share in it. Those who do not partake of a gracious liberty in this world, they shall never be partakers of a glorious liberty in the world to come. The second, which is the principal, is the correspondency of the creature to this condition, as that which is declared, that the "creature itself shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption" into this glorious liberty of God's children. In what manner this is to be done, and how this deliverance of the creature here spoken of is to be accomplished. Now it may be reduced to two opinions. The first opinion is this — that this deliverance of the creature from the bondage of corruption shall be by abolition or annihilation. The second opinion is this — that this deliverance of the creature from corruption shall not be by way of annihilation, but only by way of alteration; that they shall not be destroyed, but changed and become new; not for substance, but only for quality. The former is repugnant, and will not hold good upon these following grounds. First, because this future estate of the creature, which is here mentioned in the text, it is expressed to be such as is earnestly desired by the creature; but now there is no creature whatsoever which doth naturally desire the extinction of itself, but rather the contrary. Nature, it does abhor nonentity, and chooses the preservation of itself oftentimes, even in the greatest extremity. Secondly, that which shall befal the creature at the day of judgment is here in the text expressly called the deliverance of it. Now a deliverance does necessarily suppose the being and existence of that subject which is delivered. Thirdly, it is said here also in the text, that the creatures shall be delivered into the liberty of the children of God; that is, that they shall be delivered in like manner as God's children are delivered. But God's children are not delivered by annihilation. And so again, "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be made like to His glorious body," etc. (Philippians 3:21). It is not annihilated, but changed. And so it shall be also with the other creatures. Fourthly, it is not probable neither that such a special monument of God's power as the heavens and earth indeed are should be absolutely and totally abolished, and turned into nothing; but rather that they should still remain as so many pillars of His greatness and goodness to all eternity, as they prove to be in their excellent variety. The second opinion is that which makes this deliverance of the creature to consist, not in abolition, but in alteration; not in destroying of the substance of it, but only in changing of the qualities. The Scripture itself does expressly call it a restoration (Acts 3:22). In fine, to sum up all, and to close up this present passage of the text before us: "Of the creatures being delivered into the glorious liberty of the children of God." This expression may be taken three manner of ways. Contemporancively, as denoting the time of this deliverance. Causally, as denoting the occasion of this deliverance, Terminatively, as denoting the thing itself. We see here the great benefit which we have by Jesus Christ, and our redemption through Him. In that He hath taken away all the evil and mischief which our sins have done unto us.

(Thomas Horton, D.D.)

---

---

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.