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1. The word translated "creation" has a variety of significations in the New Testament. It sometimes means the act of creation (Romans 1:20); sometimes finite existence generally (Matthew 10:6; 1 Peter 5:4; Romans 1:25; Romans 8:39); sometimes the human race exclusively (Mark 16:15; Colossians 1:23; 1 Peter 2:13); and sometimes the class of regenerated men (Colossians 1:15; Romans 3:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:10).

2. That the meaning we attach to it here should agree with the scope of the context and the aim of the writer. The aim of the apostle is evidently to exhibit the sublime privileges of the Christian amidst all the trials of this life.

3. That whatever meaning we attach to the word, it should be the meaning that the word will carry through the whole passage. Attending to these three things we have been compelled to regard the word "creation" as intended to designate regenerated humanity. Substitute the word, regenerated humanity, for "creation" throughout the whole passage, and you will give it a consistency both with itself and the aim of the writer. Our subject is "The Groaning Creation; or, the Apostolic estimate of the life of Regenerated Men." This estimate —

I. HAS RESPECT TO TWO WORLDS — the present and the future. As the average conduct of a man should be taken into account in order to estimate his character, so the entire life of a man, future as well as past and present, must be taken into account in order to estimate the balance of his joys or sorrows as a whole. Let us look at Paul's viewer —

1. The present life of the good. He describes it —

(1) As a scene of vanity.

(2) As a scene of slavery. "Bondage of corruption."(3) As a scene of suffering. All good men from the beginning have been "groaning." It is our happiness, however, to know that all our sufferings are parturitional; they are all travailing together; they will give birth to a higher order of things that will be more than a compensation for the throes.

2. The future life of the good.

(1) It is a scene of spiritual glory. "Glory that shall be revealed in us." The glory of wordly men is outside; the glory of the good is within.

(2) It is a scene of triumphant freedom. "The glorious liberty of the children of God."(3) It is a scene devoutly anticipated. "They are waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God." "When He who is our life shall appear," etc.

II. IS MOST SALUTARY IN ITS EFFECT. "We are saved by hope." Such a hope saves us —

1. From scepticism. Did we not take into account the life of future blessedness that awaits us, our present trials and afflictions would shake our faith in the wisdom and love of God's government of the world.

2. From murmurings. Did we not keep the future blessedness in view, we should be likely to complain and repine under our present afflictions; but looking at the glorious things awaiting us, we say with Paul, "Our light afflictions, which are but for a moment," etc.

3. From indolence. How the blessed prospect stimulates to activity! How the racer kindles with fresh fire as he glances at the goal!

(D. Thomas, D.D.)

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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.