Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Romans 8:19
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
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 of their groaning and travailing in pain, can never agree with such happy spirits: others suppose that men in general are designed, being by sin brought into a state of bondage and corruption, subjected to vanity, attended with troubles, and liable to death, and so groan under their present miseries for deliverance; but to desire anything of a spiritual nature cannot be ascribed to men in general; and besides, as before observed, some persons are distinguished from them, (<450823>Romans 8:23), others have been of opinion, that the new creature, or renewed persons, are here intended, who being burdened with indwelling sin, groan under it, long for deliverance from it, and are waiting for the heavenly glory; but these cannot be said to be in a state of bondage to corruption, for they are freed from the dominion of sin, and are become the servants of righteousness. It is best of all by “the creature” to understand the Gentile world. “The creature” here, and “the whole creation”, (<450822>Romans 8:22), must be the same; now the phrase pasa ktisiv, “the whole creation”, or “every creature”, as it may be rendered, signifies the nations of the world, in distinction to the Jews; (see <411615>Mark 16:15 <510123> Colossians 1:23); compared with (<402819>Matthew 28:19) and answers to twyrb, “the creatures”; by which name the Jews often in their writings call the Gentiles, to distinguish them from the Israelites. Take two or three instances, as follow, “let your commerce (say they f150), etc.. be in a peaceable manner, twyrbh µ[, “with the creatures”; what do “the creatures” say concerning him? such an one, blessed be his father who taught him the law, blessed be his master who taught him the law; woe twyrbl µhl, “to the creatures”, because they learn not the law; such an one who hath learned the law, they observe how beautiful are his ways, and how well ordered his works; of him it is written, saying, “and said unto me, thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified”, (<234903>Isaiah 49:3);” where the creatures and the Israelites are evidently distinguished from one another: again f151, “woe twyrbl µhl, “to the creatures”, who know not, nor have they any regard for the service of their Creator; for it is a tradition, (says R. Isaac,) that “Bath Kol”, or a voice, goes out every day from Mount Horeb, and says, woe twyrbl µhl, “to the creatures”, because of the service of their Creator.” And a little after, “if twyrbh, “the creatures”, knew the love with which the holy blessed God loves Israel, they would roar like young lions to follow after him.” Once more f152, ``all the prayer twyrbh lç, “of the creatures”, is only for the earth; Lord let the earth be fruitful, Lord let the earth prosper; all the prayer larçy lç, “of the Israelites”, is only fo…
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