Romans 8:22
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now--If for man's sake alone the earth was cursed, it cannot surprise us that it should share in his recovery. And if so, to represent it as sympathizing with man's miseries, and as looking forward to his complete redemption as the period of its own emancipation from its present sin-blighted condition, is a beautiful thought, and in harmony with the general teaching of Scripture on the subject. (See on Pe2 3:13).
Open source ↗The apostle, having fully explained the doctrine of justification, and pressed the necessity of sanctification, in this chapter applies himself to the consolation of the Lord's people. Ministers are helpers of the joy of the saints. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people," so runs our commission, Isa 40:1. It is the will of God that his people should be a comforted people. And we have here such a draught of the gospel charter, such a display of the unspeakable privileges of true believers, as may furnish us with abundant matter for joy and peace in believing, that by all these immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation. Many of the people of God have, accordingly, found this chapter a well-spring of comfort to their souls, living and dying, and have sucked and been satisfied from these breasts of consolation, and with joy drawn water out of these wells of salvation. There are three things in this chapter: I. The particular instances of Christians' privileges (v. 1-28). II. The ground thereof laid in predestination (Rom 8:29, Rom 8:30). III. The apostle's triumph herein, in the name of all the saints (Rom 8:31 to the end).
Open source ↗8:22 The pains of childbirth is a metaphor for the longing of creation (see also Matt 24:8; Mark 13:8; John 16:20-22).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field be withered? Because of the evil of its residents, the animals and birds have been swept away, for the people have said, “He cannot see what our end will be.”
They have made it a desolation; desolate before Me, it mourns. All the land is laid waste, but no man takes it to heart.
A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world.
if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Trembling seized them there, anguish like a woman in labor.
She was pregnant and crying out in the pain and agony of giving birth.