Romans 8:22-25 -- "Waiting Eagerly in Hope"

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The text:

(NET) Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now. 23 Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,²⁵ groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, ²⁶ the redemption of our bodies. ²⁷ 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with endurance.²⁸

Notes:

²⁵ tn Or “who have the Spirit as firstfruits.” The genitive πνεύματος (pneumatos) can be understood here as possessive (“the firstfruits belonging to the Spirit”) although it is much more likely that this is a genitive of apposition (“the firstfruits, namely, the Spirit”); cf. TEV, NLT.

²⁶ tn See the note on “adoption” in v.15.
²⁷ tn Grk “body.”
²⁸ tn Or “perseverance.”

Sermon Notes: In Romans 8, Paul unfolds great assurances for the children of God — even though we “suffer” and “groan.”

• Being justified by faith in Jesus Christ means:
  
• no condemnation because we are “set...free from the law of sin and death”
• new life “in the Spirit” free from the domination of “flesh” to be led by the Spirit
• new inheritance as “sons of God” adopted as children of God
• certainty of coming glory
  
• affirmed by perseverance in suffering suffering is confirmation we are “co‐heirs with Christ”!
• part of a creation that waits “in hope”
  
• “the creation”—waits for coming “glory”
• “the children of God”—wait eagerly for coming “glory”
• All of creation “groans” in anticipation of future glory.
• God’s people also “groan inwardly” in anticipation of future glory.
• We have “the firstfruits of the Spirit” now.
• Yet we “groan inwardly.”
• And we “wait eagerly” for what we do not yet fully have: “our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
  
• Our salvation in Christ is “now and not yet.”
• Just as God has given us bodies suitable for this earth, so God will give us new bodies suitable for a new earth
• God has given us a salvation with a certain future experience of glory.
• God’s people should be greatly influenced by “hope.”
  
• This is why we “groan inwardly” for something much better.
• This is why we can be confident and hopeful people!
• This is why we are able to “wait for it patiently.”

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory. 3 Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance, character, and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

• For the Christian who believes God, our future changes our present!
  
  • Our salvation is incomplete—so we “groan inwardly” (8:23)
  • Our salvation is glorious—so we “wait eagerly” (8:23)
  • Our salvation is certain—so we “wait patiently” (8:25)