Romans 8 19

Romans 8:19 kjv

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Romans 8:19 nkjv

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

Romans 8:19 niv

For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

Romans 8:19 esv

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

Romans 8:19 nlt

For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.

Romans 8 verses

Romans 8 19 Meaning

Romans 8:19 proclaims that all of creation—the non-human world—is not indifferent but actively and intensely longs for the manifestation and glorification of God's children. This "revealing" signifies the moment when believers receive their perfected, resurrected bodies, an event which will trigger creation's own liberation from its current state of decay and futility. It posits a deep, eschatological interconnectedness between the destiny of humanity and the destiny of the cosmos.

Romans 8 19 Context

Romans chapter 8 is a theological high point within Paul's letter, often called "the holy of holies" of the New Testament. It flows from chapter 7, which describes the struggle with sin, leading to a profound declaration of freedom in Christ and life by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:1-17). The chapter outlines the assurance of salvation, the work of the Spirit in sanctification, and the ultimate glory awaiting believers. Verse 19 specifically introduces a cosmic dimension to this hope, pivoting from the Spirit's present help and future guarantee to an extensive understanding of suffering and glory. Paul connects the suffering experienced by believers in the present world with the broader "groaning" of creation itself, positioning the glorification of God's children as the linchpin for the liberation of the entire created order. Historically, this perspective challenged both the pessimistic views of some Stoic philosophies regarding the physical world's decay and the Gnostic tendency to disparage creation entirely. It affirms a profound dignity and hope for the material world, linking its destiny irrevocably with humanity's.

Romans 8 19 Word analysis

• For (Greek: γὰρ, gar): A conjunction introducing the reason or explanation for the preceding statement, specifically for the assurance and hope discussed in Rom 8:18 about the glory to be revealed outweighing present suffering.
• the creation (Greek: ἡ κτίσις, hē ktisis): Refers to the sum total of non-human, created reality—the universe, nature, the physical world. It specifically excludes humanity (who are the "sons of God"). Paul attributes to it a sentient capacity, anticipating a future state of renewal.
• eagerly awaits (Greek: ἀποκαραδοκία, apokaradokia): A powerful compound word meaning to "stretch out the head," to gaze intently and with extreme anticipation or longing. It suggests a desperate, strained expectation, looking off into the distance for something earnestly desired. This isn't passive waiting but active, focused yearning.
• the revealing (Greek: τὴν ἀποκάλυψιν, tēn apokalypsin): From which we get "apocalypse." It means an "unveiling," a "disclosure," or "manifestation." In this eschatological context, it refers to a dramatic, public, and glorious unveiling. It's not just that the sons of God become glorious, but that their glorious nature will be made fully evident.
• of the sons of God (Greek: τῶν υἱῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ, tōn huiōn tou Theou): Refers to believers who have been adopted into God's family through faith in Christ and are led by the Spirit (Rom 8:14). Their "revealing" is their final glorification, resurrection, and receiving of their spiritual bodies, marking the full, visible manifestation of their sonship.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• For the creation: Emphasizes the universal scope of the problem (creation subjected to futility) and the universal scope of the hope that follows. Creation's plight is linked directly to human sin and awaits human redemption for its own renewal.
• eagerly awaits the revealing: The intense verb apokaradokia highlights the depth of creation's yearning. This personification imbues the physical world with a deep, spiritual longing, suggesting a connection to God's original design for its perfection. It implies that creation itself senses its departure from its intended state.
• the revealing of the sons of God: Connects creation's hope directly to the eschatological glory of believers. The world cannot be fully renewed until humanity, God's vice-regents over creation (Gen 1:28), achieves its own glorified state. The ultimate redemption of believers serves as the necessary prelude and catalyst for cosmic renewal.

Romans 8 19 Bonus section

• Philosophical Resonance: This verse implicitly argues against a Gnostic worldview that sees the material world as inherently evil or disposable. Instead, it posits that creation has intrinsic value, having been created good by God, and is destined for redemption, not annihilation.
• Stewardship Implications: Understanding that creation is not mere backdrop but an active participant in God's redemptive plan provides a theological basis for environmental stewardship. Christians are called to care for creation, not just for practical reasons, but because it, too, is awaiting its future glorification and is therefore intrinsically valuable to God.
• Suffering as a Catalyst: The current suffering of creation, its subjection to decay, is viewed as a birth pang, a painful but necessary process leading to renewal, rather than an arbitrary punishment. This suffering of creation parallels the suffering of believers (Rom 8:18), both ultimately leading to glory.
• Mediating Role of Humanity: The verse underscores the unique, divinely appointed mediating role of humanity within creation. Humanity's fall led to creation's curse, and humanity's redemption will lead to creation's renewal, making believers crucial in God's cosmic plan.

Romans 8 19 Commentary

Romans 8:19 is a profound statement articulating the cosmic dimension of salvation and hope. It bridges the personal struggles of believers (Rom 8:18) with a universal expectation. Paul here personifies creation, attributing to it a deep, earnest, and expectant longing. This isn't mere poetic fancy but a theological insight that sin, having entered the world through humanity (Gen 3), did not merely affect humanity but subjected the entire physical cosmos to "futility" and "decay" (Rom 8:20-21). Therefore, creation itself looks forward to being freed from this bondage. Its liberation is contingent upon the "revealing of the sons of God"—the glorious consummation of believers' salvation, marked by resurrection and full conformity to Christ's image. This unveiling of perfected humanity will signal the turning point for the restoration of the entire created order, demonstrating God's sovereign plan to redeem not just souls but the whole cosmos. It challenges believers to see their destiny intertwined with that of the universe, imparting a cosmic significance to their spiritual journey.