Romans 8:18-30

KJV

Rom 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. 

Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 

Rom 8:20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 

Rom 8:21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 

Rom 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 

Rom 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 

Rom 8:24  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 

Rom 8:25  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 

Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

Rom 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Main Points: A LOT to unpack here. This is an extension to verse 17  ….fellow heirs with Christ provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be GLORIFIED. After shutting down any thought of serving law/sin and giving ourselves over to God, Paul explains how the Spirit works on our behalf. It’s all part of a linear walk….on a path designed and instituted by God that leads us to Him into His glory.

16. What do you learn from verse 18? Staying in context, these members, especially the Jewish members were being asked to completely change their belief systems. They were being told they were choosing sin over God…and…..they lacked faith evidenced in their willingness to sin and continue to adhere to the law. This was indeed the suffering for this audience. There was much…MUCH more persecutions coming for the church. Nero’s persecution was just around the corner. There were sporadic financial repercussions for being Christian…I’m not so sure this is what Paul is addressing. He is looking to draw in the reader…he understands these things are not easy. He explains it as trading up: “what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us.” That statement is in line with his teaching for a spiritual life….away from sin, away from law.

17. How was the creation subjected to futility? (19-20) Explain. Okay, I’ll try not to get our heads spinning over this. But this is quite extraordinary. Paul seems to indicate that creation itself suffers corruption (because of the fall of man). Creation is personified and is waiting for mankind’s redemption back to God (evidenced when our bodies are redeemed). Once God achieves this with mankind, mankind will no longer be in subjection to corruption, and neither will creation. The term “futility” or “vanity (KJ)” denotes emptiness. Or vis-à-vis: a useless existence.

18. Why is the whole creation groaning? (22)  - Because of verses 19-20, but with the added context of child birth. I’m not certain that creation is necessarily groaning out of having to wait so long, or out of anticipation, but rather this new church….this new gospel is formed and ready to be added to the world as a new life. It’s not easy, and afterwards all lives within its sphere will change. Creation is ready to have meaning again…no longer empty, futile and vain.

19. Why are we (they) groaning? (23) For the same reasons creation was groaning these first saints…and I suppose all the saints before them and us are anticipating and hoping for this great time of redemption (our bodies returning to their original incorruptible state)! This is thousands of years in the making.

20. Explain verse 26. 26/27 Comes off the concept of hope (faith) being THE THING that saves us. And like creation, we wait patiently for isalvation. 26/27 are a call to pray in the spirit that the Spirit may intercede for us. I’m not convinced that all of the references to the “spirit” are the Holy Spirit here. I think verse 27 is since it speaks of an entity that does what mankind cannot (search hearts). But it makes more contextual sense that WE are to pray spiritually. Paul’s main message is a call to spirituality. What does it mean to pray in the spirit? (see next question)

21. Explain verse 28. The main point here is not just that things will work for good for those who love God! (though it is a powerful, lovely sentiment) The main point here is we are called according to His purpose! (See notes below) Being called in this instance means we have been invited. What a gracious God! We have been invited to that which He has purposed. That includes everything Paul has been arguing….trust Him, faith in Jesus, drawing near to them, being more like them. With these things as our standard, that is when we approach God in spiritual prayer.  

22. Explain verses 29-30. Let’s not get hung up in the weeds on this. Paul’s main point is glorification (see verse 17)….everything between 17 and 30 is for this conclusion. God will glorify us through Jesus! This is where we have our hope. This was ALWAYS GOD’S PLAN! EVEN CREATION KNEW IT AND WAITED FOR IT! The question becomes what does God know? Do we really have free moral agency? Can we fall, or are we “predestined” to heaven or hell before we are even born?
Oy.
Believe it or not God has faith in mankind! Read any of the messianic verses or old testament references where God talks about putting His law onto the heart. God FOREKNEW he could persuade some to see Him for the loving Father he is. Those who seek after this are predestinated to be CONFORMED in the image of Jesus…..it was always a part of the PLAN. Once someone does this Pauls explains the chain reaction that happens afterward: Called – Jusitfied – Glorified. (called in this sense denotes to be urged on)

Additional:

18) suffering- G3804  πάθημα pathēma path'-ay-mah From a presumed derivative of G3806; something undergone, that is, hardship or pain; subjectively an emotion or influence: - affection, affliction, motion, suffering.

Root words depict a passionate suffering (including emotional)

 Glory(ious): 18, 21)  G1391  δόξα doxa dox'-ah From the base of G1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literally or figuratively, objectively or subjectively): - dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship.   Root word means  …”to think….be of good reputation…”   (AS IS APPLIED TO MANKIND)  

30) G1392_ δοξάζω doxazō dox-ad'-zo From G1391; to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application): - (make) glorify (-ious), full of (have) glory, honour, magnify.   (GOD IS DOING THE APPLYING FOR MANKIND)                                                                    

 19,20,21,22,23) Creation (or creature in KJ) G2937 κτίσις ktisis ktis'-is From G2936; original formation – root words mean “to fabricate”

20) futility G3153 -(vanity KJ) ματαιότης mataiotēs mat-ah-yot'-ace From G3152; inutility; figuratively transientness; morally depravity:
Root word means “empty”

Groan-
22) G4959 sustenazō soos-ten-ad'-zo From G4862 and G4727; to moan jointly, that is, (figuratively) experience a common calamity: - groan together.

23) G4727 στενάζω stenazō sten-ad'-zo From G4728; to make (intransitively be) in straits, that is, (by implication) to sigh, murmur, pray inaudibly: - with grief, (root word means “narrow”)

26)  G4726 στεναγμός stenagmos sten-ag-mos' From G4727; a sigh: - groaning

22) together in the pains of childbirth: G4944 συνωδίνω sunōdinō soon-o-dee'-no From G4862 and G5605; to have (parturition) pangs in company (concert, simultaneously) with, that is, (figuratively) to sympathize (in expectation of relief from suffering): - travail in pain together.

23) Redemtion: G629 ἀπολύτρωσις apolutrōsisap-ol-oo'-tro-sis From a compound of G575 and G3083; (the act) ransom in full, that is, (figuratively) riddance, or (specifically) Christian salvation: - deliverance, redemption. – root words mean “off” “loosen”

28) Called G2822 κλητός klētos klay-tos' From the same as G2821; invited, that is, appointed, or (specifically) a saint: - called.

30) G2564 καλέω kaleō kal-eh'-o Akin to the base of G2753; to “call” (properly aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise): - bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-) name (was [called]).
Base word means: to urge on

29) Foreknew: G4267 προγινώσκω proginōskō prog-in-oce'-ko From G4253 and G1097; to know beforehand, that is, foresee: - foreknow (ordain), know (before).

29, 30) Predestinate: G4309 προορίζω proorizō pro-or-id'-zo From G4253 and G3724; to limit in advance, that is, (figuratively) predetermine: - determine before, ordain, predestinate. Root words mean “fore” “bound(ry)”

Interecession-
26)- G5241 ὑπερεντυγχάνω huperentugchanō  hoop-er-en-toongkhan'-o From G5228 and G1793; to intercede in behalf of: - make intercession for – Root words mean  “over” and “confer with”

27) G1793 ἐντυγχάνω entugchanō en-toong-khan'-o From G1722 and G5177; to chance upon, that is, (by implication) confer with; by extension to entreat (in favor or against): - deal with, make intercession. Root words mean “position” “bring to pass”