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Romans 8:23
And not onlythey, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption,to wit, the redemption of our body.

Philippians 1:20
According to my earnest expectation andmy hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, butthat with all boldness, as always,so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whetherit be by life, or by death.

expectation.

Isaiah 65:17
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Acts 3:21
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

2 Peter 3:11-13
Seeing thenthat all these things shall be dissolved, what mannerof persons ought ye to be inall holy conversation and godliness, …

the manifestation.

Malachi 3:17,18
And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him…

Matthew 25:31-46
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: …

1 John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

in eager expectation
The term "eager expectation" conveys a sense of hope and longing. This expectation is not passive but active, indicating a forward-looking anticipation. In the cultural context of the time, this would resonate with the Jewish hope for the coming of the Messiah and the restoration of Israel. Theologically, it reflects the Christian hope for the ultimate redemption and renewal of all things, as promised in the eschatological visions of the prophets (Isaiah 65:17,Revelation 21:1).

for the revelation of the sons of God
This phrase points to a future event when the true identity and glory of the children of God will be fully disclosed. In the New Testament, believers are often referred to as "sons of God" (John 1:12,Galatians 3:26), indicating their adoption into God's family through faith in Christ. The "revelation" suggests a future unveiling, which is linked to the second coming of Christ and the final redemption of believers (1John 3:2,Colossians 3:4). This revelation is not only for the benefit of believers but also for the entire creation, which will be liberated from its bondage to decay and share in the freedom and glory of the children of God (Romans 8:21).

Romans 8:19 opens with, “The creation waits ….” Scripture often speaks of the natural world as if it were alive and responsive to God’s plans.Genesis 1:31 shows that at the start, “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good,” yetGenesis 3:17-19 reveals that sin subjected creation to frustration. Now all that God has made—earth, heavens, plants, animals, even the cosmic order—is pictured as waiting.Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God,” and here that same creation is portrayed as leaning forward, longing for the next chapter of that glory story.

The phrase continues, “ … in eager expectation ….” Paul paints creation craning its neck, straining forward.Philippians 3:20 uses a related image of believers “awaiting a Savior,” andHebrews 9:28 promises Christ “will appear a second time … to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Just as believers actively anticipate Christ’s return, so the entire universe is pictured as sharing that patient but excited readiness.Isaiah 35:1-2 foreshadows this hope when it says, “The desert and parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.”

Creation is not waiting for a vague event; it is fixed on “the revelation.”Colossians 3:4 promises, “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Similarly,1 Peter 1:5 speaks of “a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” This unveiling will be public and unmistakable, marking the moment when God’s redemptive work in His people is put on full display.Revelation 21:1-5 ties that unveiling to the renewal of heaven and earth—once God’s children are revealed, creation itself will be liberated.

Who are these “sons of God”?Romans 8:14-17 already declared that “all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God,” and that believers “await our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”1 John 3:2 affirms, “We are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed.” At Christ’s return, glorified believers will be openly identified as God’s family. When that happens,Romans 8:21 says, “The creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” Creation’s liberation is linked directly to ours.

Romans 8:19 pictures the whole created order straining forward, eagerly awaiting the day when God’s redeemed children are openly unveiled in glory. On that day, believers will experience full adoption and bodily redemption, and creation itself will be released from the curse and share in that freedom. The verse invites confidence that, just as surely as God called us His children, He will one day make that identity visible to all—and when He does, every part of creation will rejoice.

"Mid onward sloping motions infinite,

Making for one sure goal."

The whole creation is looking earnestly and intently for the same manifestation of glory as ourselves.

Earnest expectation--A single word in the Greek, and a very striking one. It means, literally, a straining forward with outstretched head, just as we might imagine the crowds outside a race-course straining over the ropes to catch a sight of the runners; an eager, intent expectation. The same word is used once again in the New Testament (Philippians 1:20).

Creature.--Creation, the whole world of nature, animate and inanimate.

Waiteth for.--Another strong word, "waits with concentrated longing and expectancy."

Manifestation.--Translate rather by the ordinary word,revelation, as in the last verse ("glory which shall berevealed"). TheParusia, or Coming of Christ, is to be accompanied by an appearance of the redeemed in glorified form.

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