“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.“
Romans 8:22–25

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The image Paul uses to convey the coming realization of creation’s hope is that of a birthing mother. “After sorrow comes the joy of a new existence,”1 wrote Charles Hodge commenting on verse 22. The Church has suffered much throughout history, but her everlasting hope is near. Our Lord Himself spoke similar words in John 16:20-22:

“Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

So as creation continues to groan “for the children of God to be revealed” (Romans 8:19), we also “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” What are these inward groans that we experience? It is our longing to be glorified, to put off our decaying bodies and “to put on our heavenly dwelling” (2 Corinthians 5:2): our eternal bodies.

The significance of verse 23 may be lost on those of us who are young and strong, but if you’ve suffered sickness or disease, or even the weariness of old age, then you know what it is to long for “the redemption of our bodies.” And so we wait with patience in this in-between time for the full realization of our “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13).

1 Hodge, Charles. 1993. Romans. Crossway Classic Commentaries. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • In what ways have you experienced the whole creation groaning as a woman in childbirth?
  • What is the ultimate hope in this groaning, birthing process?
  • Paul describes our waiting as both “eager” and “patient.” Which best describes you?

Church Reading Plan: Ecclesiastes 3; 1 Timothy 5