Romans 8:19-20

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Romans 8:19 says, "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God". In this verse, Paul describes creation as having an awareness that something better is coming, and that all of nature is looking forward to a future time when God will make all things right. The Greek word used in the verse for "manifestation" is similar to the word used in Revelation 1:1, and means to appear, come, lighten, or reveal. 

Some say that the "revealing of the sons of God" refers to the moment when Jesus Christ returns and believers are caught up to be with the Lord forever. At this time, believers will be made fully known as sons of God, and their lives will bear fruit in the form of obedience and love. Others say that the verse describes the Elect who will be transformed into the likeness of Christ during the Second Coming.

Romans 8:20 What Does It Mean?

In Romans 8:20, Paul explains why all of creation is suffering and longing for the day when God will reveal his children in glory. The verse reads, "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope". The person being referred to in the verse is God. 

Paul is saying that creation is suffering because of God's will, but in hope that it will eventually be freed from decay and corruption and enter the freedom of God's children. Paul uses the metaphor of a woman in childbirth to describe this longing. Just as a woman labors through the pain of childbirth with the hope of new life, so too does creation groan as it waits for its promised restoration and redemption.

What does Romans 8:20 mean?

All of creation is waiting with eager longing for the day when the children of God—those who are in Christ (Romans 3:26)—will be revealed as who we truly are (1 John 3:2). That's what Paul wrote in the previous verse. Now he explains why the creation longs for that day when God will reveal His children, and Himself, in glory.

The creation, meaning all God has made, is suffering. It is subject to something described using the Greek wordmataiotēti. This term implies something warped, perverse, sickly, weak, or false. This futility—or "frustration"—came long ago, when sin entered into the world. God did not create the world this way, and creation itself did not choose this. The trees and streams and animals and sky did not choose an existence of frustration. Rather, God subjected creation to frustration in response to Adam's sin in the garden of Eden. God did not design creation to suffer. That hardship came after all was meaningful and "very good." This warped, struggling existence came about when God cursed all of creation in response to human sin (Genesis 3:14,17–19).

The words "in hope" that end the verse belong to a phrase in the following verse.

For more information on the questions you may have concerning Scripture, feel free to check out this site I found on Google: GotQuestions.org

Got Questions Ministries

gqm.one

GotQuestions.Org YouTube

These are some of the resources I use whenever I have questions about something I do not quite understand. Being in the ministry doesn't mean that I know everything, but it helps to have resources to better understand what things mean concerning the Word of God because we do not want to take it out of context.

I would rather be able to understand something fully correct than to understand it wrong. It is important to understand what is being spoken to us through God’s Word. There is nothing wrong with checking to see what something means. This is why we ask questions about the things we want to know. Pastors are people too, and we are forever learning about God. We are forever curious about the things of God. We are not perfect. We have to pray and meditate on God’s word. I can admit that sometimswe become distracted by the things that are going on in the world, but we cannot let them consume us. We have to encourage everyone to stay in faith, and trust God, and we all must keep our eyes on Jesus. He is our sure foundation that we hang our faith upon.

If you have not talked to Jesus today, and if you do not know Him as your Lord and Savior, I am inviting you to go and ask Him in prayer to be your Lord and Savior. He loves you so much. He will give you a new life in Him that will last for all eternity. He’s waiting with His arms stretched out wide to embrace you. You will only find love, peace, joy, and everything that this world cannot give to you. Everything we all need is in Jesus Christ. Have a beautiful day in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. God bless you.🙏🏾❤️😇