Romans 8:22

“For we know that the whole creation groaneth, etc..] As a woman with child, ready to bring forth: for it is added, and travaileth in pain together until now; regeneration is owing to the grace of God, which is compared to “seed”, of which men are born again; the means of conveying it is the Gospel, and ministers are the instruments of begetting souls to Christ, and who travail in birth till Christ be formed in them: now the Gospel being carried by the apostles into the Gentile world, and being succeeded there, it was like a woman big with child, ready to bring forth many sons to God; for as it was prophesied, so it came to pass, that “more are the children of the desolate, than the children…”

“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now--If for man's sake alone the earth was cursed, it cannot surprise us that it should share in his recovery. And if so, to represent it as sympathizing with man's miseries, and as looking forward to his complete redemption as the period of its own emancipation from its present sin-blighted condition, is a beautiful thought, and in harmony with the general teaching of Scripture on the subject. (See on Pe2 3:13).”

“For we know - The sentiment of this verse is designed as an illustration of what had just been said. That the whole creation - Margin, “every creature.” This expression has been commonly understood as meaning the same as “the creature” in Romans 8:20-21. But I understand it as having a different signification; and as being used in the natural and usual signification of the word “creature,” or “creation.” It refers, as I suppose, to the whole animate creation; to all living beings; to the state of all created things here, as in a condition of pain and disorder, and groaning and death. Everything which we see; every creature which lives, is thus subjected to a state of servitude, pain, vanity,…”

“For the whole creation groaneth together - With joint groans, as it were with one voice. And travaileth - Literally, is in the pains of childbirth, to be delivered of the burden of the curse. Until now - To this very hour; and so on till the time of deliverance. Romans 8:23”

“8:22 The pains of childbirth is a metaphor for the longing of creation (see also Matt 24:8; Mark 13:8; John 16:20-22).”

“the: etc. or, every creature, Rom 8:20; Mar 16:15; Col 1:23 groaneth: Psa 48:6; Jer 12:11; Joh 16:21; Rev 12:2 Romans 8:23”