¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹ 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. ²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³ And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

1) What are the “sufferings of this present time” that Paul is talking about?
Paul is writing to first-century Roman Christians. Persecution was rampant, and believers were suffering and dying because of the name of Christ. Yet, even suffering of this magnitude is insignificant compared to the good that is coming for believers.

2) What “glory” is Paul talking about, and how will it be “revealed in us”?
The “glory” is “to be revealed,” which indicates that it is something to happen in the future. Similar verses (2 Corinthians 4:17 and 1 Peter 1:5-6) speak of the eternal glory and the glory to be revealed in the last time. This gives us clarity that verse 18 is speaking of our final glorification that will happen when Christ returns—when our salvation will be complete and we will be freed from the presence of sin. How glorious it will be to be delivered from not only the penalty and power of sin, but from its very presence!

3) What does it mean that the creation is groaning?
Right now, because sin entered the world, nothing on earth is as it should be. God designed a perfect world, but every part of it has been corrupted by sin. Human beings are fallen and sinful, and the earth itself experiences the fallout of our sin. Therefore, even creation is looking forward to the day when Christ returns and things are put right again.

4) What is “this hope” that is referred to in verse 24?
Verse 24 begins with the word “for,” which links it to the previous verse. Verse 23 speaks of the redemption of our bodies, which we are promised and to which the Holy Spirit living in us testifies. We have the hope that our salvation will one day be made complete, even though we suffer in this present life. What a great hope!

1) What are the “sufferings of this present time” that Paul is talking about?
This world is full of suffering! There is no way to deny it. Whether it is persecution, disease, poverty, or the consequences of our own sin or someone else’s, life on this earth is not the way God designed it to be. But there is meaning in our suffering, and we have a great hope that even if not in this lifetime, our suffering will one day end. An eternal perspective gives us hope to endure whatever trials we are currently facing.

2) What “glory” is Paul talking about, and how will it be “revealed in us”?
“Glorification” is the third part of our salvation. We are justified (declared righteous before God) immediately upon receiving Him, and we begin the process of being sanctified (made to be more and more like Christ as we grow and mature in our faith) as long as we are living, but we will be glorified (freed from the presence of sin and made perfect) when we die and are in Christ’s presence. The more I mature in Christ and see my own sin, the more I long for the sinless state that I will enjoy one day. How does this future reality affect your current situation? (Interested in learning more about what holds up the Christian faith system? Sign up for Creed, our upcoming Journey Theme!)

3) What does it mean that the creation is groaning?
A fallen world groans for redemption. Have you ever thought about how your own sin might be corrupting the earth? We are called to be good stewards of the world God created, and although we cannot make it all right as Christ one day will, it’s worth searching ourselves to be sure we are being obedient to our call to stewardship.

4) What is “this hope” that is referred to in verse 24?
It can be difficult to hold on to hope when trials overwhelm us, but we must remember that our present sufferings do not compare with the glory that is coming. We hope for what we do not see—but it is promised to us! Take heart, Christian!

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Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

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Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

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