William Future Glory
Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Rom 8:19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.
Rom 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope
Rom 8:21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.
Rom 8:23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
Rom 8:24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
Rom 8:26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
Rom 8:27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Rom 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
Rom 8:30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
v18 – Paul here is declaring that he is fully committed to his calling. Everything that he has endured he counts as nothing in comparison with what is coming to us. Read 2 Corinthians 11:22-33. This lays out all that Paul went through in his fulfilling of the calling that God placed on him. And we must say the same thing. We all go through some type of suffering and persecution in our service to Christ. However, just a Paul considered it nothing compared to what God has for us.
v19 – Paul here is saying that all creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the Sons of God. This is in some ways figurative, but all of creation is under the curse. There was no dying before the fall. Everything was affected: Man, animals, plants and all the land. And everything that has been affected anxiously awaits for the revealing of the sons of God.
vs20-22 – Because of the principle of decay that all creation was subjected to it. When man fell, it was not just them, but all creation was affected. This shows how serious the fall of man was. Also, because of the disobedience of one man, sin entered the world, and so death and decay.
v23 – Also, we who are saved eagerly await this time. The end of our suffering, trials, and persecution that we now endure. The time when we receive our inheritance promised to us. And this is all to happen because of what Christ did to justify us.
vs24-25 – What this verse is saying is that we have been saved and now hope for the revealing of this salvation in the future. We know it is coming; however, we do not see it at this point. However, by faith we know it is sure. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 1:1. Faith is being assured that what God has promised will come to pass. And there is no doubt that it will come to pass.
v26 – The Spirit of God also helps us in our weaknesses. He is mentioned before as bearing witness to us, but he now says that He also helps us through our weaknesses. The word translated ‘helps’ has the meaning and idea of assisting and sustaining. He does this by giving us strength to bear them, giving us the strength to sustain through them, giving us consolation, as well as helping us understand our Christian privileges that enable us to endure our trials. We do not necessarily know what to pray for. We do not know what is truly best for us. We do not really know what God is willing to give us based on our calling, as well as what is coming next in our lives. Because of this, we really do not know how to pray. Therefore, the Spirit Himself intercedes for us. He is our advocated, as an attorney is in a court of law. In this place it simply means that the Holy Spirit greatly assists or aids us; not by praying for us, but in our prayers and infirmities. With sighs and groanings b ecause of the deep feelings and intense anxiety which exists in the oppressed and burdened heart.
v27 – And in His assistance, He knows where we are in the situation. He senses our deepest feelings. And because of this, He is able to intercede on our behalf according to the will of God. He knows God’s plans for us. He knows the depths of our feelings. He knows what is best for us as opposed to what we thinks is best. He leads us as to what to pray for. And, He knows what to bring before the Father.
v28 – But the one thing we can be sure of, that all things will work together for our good if we love God. All afflictions and trials; all persecutions and calamities to which we are exposed to. Though they are numerous and long-continued, yet they are among the means that are appointed for our welfare. And all of these afflictions and trials work together for our good. Not all independently, but in cooperation. And all these things that are working together are making our faith and strength stronger. And they help us understand what God desires of us, for we know it is God who allows these things to happen. And they work together for those who are true Christians, to those who truly love Him. To those who keep His commandments. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15. Not because our life is based on works but because our works show the love we have for God.
v29 – For those He foreknew. “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure‘” He knows everything, from everlasting to everlasting. And notice the wording of Jesus Himself. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.” Matthew 7:21-23. He foreknew them because He knew from the beginning they would give their lives to Him. And because He knew they would be saved, He predestined them to be like His Son, co-heirs with Him. Christ would be the firstborn, then we would be adopted and be given the right of co-heirs.
v30 – Called by his Spirit to become Christians. He called, not merely by an external invitation, but in such a way as that they in fact were justified. This cannot refer simply to an external call of the gospel, since those who are here said to be called are said also to be justified and glorified. The meaning is, that there is a certain connection between the predestination and the call, which will be manifested in due time. The connection is so certain that the one infallibly secures the other.