Romans 8:19

“For the earnest expectation of the creature, etc..] Some by the creature understand the universe, all created beings animate and inanimate, which having suffered much by the sin of man, are introduced by a rhetorical figure, as waiting for deliverance and a restoration to their paradisiacal estate; but some part of the world is manifestly distinguished from them, (<450823>Romans 8:23), others think that angels are here meant, who being obliged to minister to sinful men, are represented as groaning and longing for the time when all the children of God shall be brought in, that they may be dismissed from their service; but what is said of subjection to vanity, of the bondage of corruption, and…”

“For, &c.--"The apostle, fired with the thought of the future glory of the saints, pours forth this splendid passage, in which he represents the whole creation groaning under its present degradation, and looking and longing for the revelation of this glory as the end and consummation of its existence" [HODGE]. the earnest expectation--(compare Phi 1:20). of the creature--rather, "the creation." waiteth for the manifestation--"is waiting for the revelation" of the sons of God--that is, "for the redemption of their bodies" from the grave (Rom 8:23), which will reveal their sonship, now hidden (compare Luk 20:36; Rev 21:7).”

“For the earnest expectation - ἀποκαραδοκία apokaradokia. This word occurs only here and in Philippians 1:20, “According to my earnest expectation and my hope,” etc. It properly denotes a state of earnest desire to see any object when the head is thrust forward; an intense anxiety; an ardent wish; and is thus well employed to denote the intense interest with which a Christian looks to his future inheritance. Of the creature - τῆς κτίσεως tēs ktiseōs.” Perhaps there is not a passage in the New Testament that has been deemed more difficult of interpretation than this Romans 8:19-23; and after all the labors bestowed on it by critics, still there is no explanation proposed which is…”

“For the earnest expectation - The word denotes a lively hope of something drawing near, and a vehement longing after it. Of the creation - Of all visible creatures, believers excepted, who are spoken of apart; each kind, according as it is capable. All these have been sufferers through sin; and to all these (the finally impenitent excepted) shall refreshment redound from the glory of the children of God. Upright heathens are by no means to be excluded from this earnest expectation: nay, perhaps something of it may at some times be found even in the vainest of men; who (although in the hurry of life they mistake vanity for liberty, and partly stifle. partly dissemble, their groans, yet) in…”

“8:19-21 All creation includes animals, plants, and the earth itself. Paul follows Old Testament precedent (see especially Ps 65:12-13; Isa 24:4; Jer 4:28; 12:4) by personifying the created world. • waiting eagerly . . . looks forward: Just as the entire world was harmed by Adam’s fall into sin, it will share in the blessings that God has promised his people (e.g., Isa 4:2, Rev 21:1-2).”

“the earnest: Rom 8:23; Phi 1:20 expectation: Isa 65:17; Act 3:21; Pe2 3:11-13; Rev 21:1-5 the manifestation: Mal 3:17, Mal 3:18; Matt. 25:31-46; Jo1 3:2 Romans 8:20”