Groaning for the Completion of Redemption

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. " (Romans 8:18–25 ESV)

The passage above begins by pointing out that the suffering of the present time can't be compared to “the glory that is to be revealed” in the future (v. 18). The creation and we ourselves are longing to be released from the suffering of this present time and to be brought into the glorious future that God has planned for us. All of creation is groaning (v. 22), and not only so, but we ourselves are also groaning (v. 23). What is all this groaning about?

First, we read about the groaning of creation in verses 18–23. "For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now" (v. 22). The creation is personified and pictured as longing to be “set free from its bondage to corruption” (v. 21). The created order was cursed as a result of the fall of mankind when Adam disobeyed God and sinned (Genesis 3:17–19). Paradise was lost, and the ground became hostile to the man’s survival. "Cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you” (vv. 17b–18a). "By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground” (v. 19a). Death came to Adam because of sin (Genesis 2:16, 17), and the whole realm of nature fell together with him. Someday the earth will be restored to its original intention but not before the full redemption of the children of God (Romans 8:19,20). Creation "groans" as if in childbirth (v. 22) and will only find relief when the glory of the children of God is revealed, namely, the redemption of our bodies.

That brings us to the second groan: "And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (v. 23). Why do we groan inwardly? Why is it that "we wait eagerly for adoption as sons" (v. 23) when we have already been adopted into the family of God? (Romans 8:15). Because all that it means to be adopted by God will be completed at the redemption of our body. There is an already–not yet factor we observe here. The completion of our redemption occurs when we receive our glorified resurrected bodies and God makes all things new! In the present time, we are racked with pain, disease, sorrow, and death. We long for deliverance.

In the midst of our inward groaning, we have expectant hope (vv. 23, 25) that our suffering will pass. As a matter of fact, our present “groanings^” cannot even be compared to the glory we are craving! (v. 18). "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:16–18). Second Corinthians 5:2–4 says that we long to put on our heavenly dwelling; that is, we are craving for the redemption of our bodies. We groan to be clothed, not unclothed (v. 4); that is, we do not wish to be disembodied spirits. God created our immaterial being (soul/spirit) and physical body to be one person. "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:23). When God restores the earth to its original design, he also will renew our physical bodies. "Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality" (1 Corinthians 15:51–53).

And what will these bodies be like? "It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body" (1 Corinthians 15:44). We await a Savior who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:20). When he appears, we shall be like him (1 John 3:2). Jesus ate food in his resurrected body (Luke 24:41–43, John 21:4–14). Jesus walked through locked doors yet showed his disciples his feet, hands, and side (John 20:19, 20, 24–29).

Someday God will make all things new (Rev 21:1–5). How wonderful it will be when the curse is removed from this earth and it becomes suitable for the redeemed to dwell on for all eternity. How great it will be for our bodies to be made like his glorious body. But even more wonderful than being like him is to be WITH HIM! (Revelations 21:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:17).