Ro 8:22-23 The Bible Knowledge Commentary
: An Exposition of the Scriptures
8:22-23.
In one sense verse 22 is an appropriate conclusion to the preceding
paragraph, summing up the present cursed state of the physical creation.
Paul said, We know (oidamen, continuing state of knowledge that grows out of
perception) that the whole Creation has been
groaning as in the pains of childbirth (lit.,
“keeps on groaning together and keeps on travailing together”) right up to the present time. The emphasis on “together” in these verbs does not
include believers in Christ, who are specifically mentioned in verse 23, but
involves the various parts of the natural Creation. At the same time verse
22 introduces this new paragraph, which sets forth the hope of future
deliverance from suffering under the curse of sin.
Paul had begun this section by referring to the
believers’ “present sufferings” (v.
18), a subject to which he returned in verse 23. Believers are described as
the ones having the firstfruits of the Spirit.
This is an appositional use of the genitive
and means that the Holy Spirit is “the firstfruits” (aparchēn)
of God’s work of salvation and re-creation in believers. Elsewhere the Holy
Spirit is called “a deposit (down payment or earnest) guaranteeing our
inheritance” (Eph. 1:14;
cf. 2 Cor. 1:22), a similar idea. A farmer’s “firstfruits” were the
initial harvesting of his first-ripened crops. This first installment was a
foretaste and promise that more harvest was to come. Similarly God the Holy
Spirit, indwelling believers, is a foretaste that they will enjoy many more
blessings, including living in God’s presence forever.
Because of “present sufferings” (Rom. 8:18) believers,
like the Creation, groan inwardly (cf. v. 22; 2 Cor. 5:2) as
they wait eagerly
(from
apekdechomai, the same word used of the
Creation in Rom. 8:19 and of the manifestation of hope in v. 25) for their adoption as sons, which is
identified as the redemption of their bodies. The word “adoption” (huiothesian,
“placing as a son”;
trans. “sonship” in v. 15) describes a believer’s legal relationship to
God as a result of God’s grace received by faith. (Regeneration, however,
describes a believer’s relationship to God as a result of the new birth.)
Israel had received adoption by God (9:4), a reality undoubtedly growing out
of her covenantal ties with God (Deut. 7:6-9). In one sense each believer
has already received the adoption because he has “received the Spirit of
sonship” (lit., “adoption,” Rom. 8:15) and is a son of God (Gal. 4:6-7). At
the same time, as Romans 8:23 states, believers still anticipate their
adoption in its completeness, which is said to be “the redemption” (apolytrōsin;
etymologically the
Gr. word describes a release or deliverance or manumission achieved by a
ransom payment [lytron];
cf. comments on 3:24) of their bodies. This is called the revelation of the
sons of God (8:19) and “the glorious freedom of the children of God” (v.
21). It will occur at the Rapture of the church when believers will be
raised and transformed with glorious bodies (1 Cor. 15:42-54; 2 Cor. 5:1-5;
Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thes. 4:13-18). Paul called that day “the day of
redemption” (Eph. 4:30).
8:24-25.
God has promised that a believer’s body will finally be delivered from sin
and its effects by the work of His Son. Those who respond by faith to that
promise have hope, a confident expectation of that bodily redemption (cf.
Gal. 5:5). This is the final step of salvation and it was in that
anticipation that we were saved. The redemption of the body (Rom. 8:23) obviously has not
yet occurred (Who hopes for what he already
has?), but it is hoped for and eagerly
anticipated (wait is from apekdechomai;
cf.
vv. 19, 23) with steadfast endurance (patiently
is lit., “through endurance”) in present
sufferings (v. 18).
Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ;
Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An
Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books,
1983-c1985, S. 2:472