GLORY AND SUFFERING
Romans 8:18-23
Filename: Sermon
Introduction:
Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
Illustration: A physical fitness trainer might say to a beginning student after the first few days of exercise, ““If you are sore, don’’t be discouraged because that is a necessary part to becoming healthy and toned muscularly. The teacher is not expressing doubt about a students soreness, that’’s a given. He is only trying to encourage the student by relating what the soreness means. This is what Paul us doing for us in this verse. He is saying that we should not be discouraged by the hardships of this present life since they necessarily precede the future glory of being a child of God. We can actually rejoice in our sufferings because our hope for the future is certain. (Romans 5:3-5)
I. THE PROPER ANALYSIS OF SUFFERING
Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Peterson: don’’t think there’’s any comparison
between the present hard times and the coming good times.
Vincent “I reckon” logizomai (our word “logic”)
It implies reasoning. "I judge after calculation made"
Larry Sarver: Paul uses the word ““consider”” in
verse 18. In the original Greek this was an accounting term that meant to calculate something. Paul says that he has done the math and added it all up. He has added up all the sufferings of this life on one side of life’’s ledger and he has added up all the glories of the future life on the other side of the ledger and the glory far exceeds the pain. The suffering in this world is nothing compared to the glory of the next!
Christians need to do this spiritual math. We need to look at our problems from an eternal perspective. Yes we need to recognize that there are real hurts and pains in life. There is the hurt of losing a loved one. There is the hurt of sickness, infirmity and physical pain. There is the hurt of rejection. There is the hurt of poverty and lack. There is the hurt of broken relationships and the disappointments of life. We must recognize these things as present realities but we must also look ahead to the glory to come. Only then will we be able to have the attitude of hope and patience that Paul calls for in verse 25.
Martin Lloyd Jones: If you are really suffering as a Christian it is a proof that you are a Christian, that you are a child of God. The thing inevitable. We must suffer if we are Christians. This is an absolute rule. As he suffered, so shall we. So if we are suffering because of our relationship to Him, and as Christians, it is an absolute proof of our relationship to him.
Present Time : kairou (NT:2540)] - `of the present
season’ or `period;’ this word being chosen to remind the Christian reader of its definite and transitory character, in contrast with the eternity of the future glory;
JFB The proper perspective of time is so important. We are the instant generation. We want everything faster. We have instant coffee, fast food, canned biscuits, fast computers, high speed internet, jet travel, and don’t forget consumer credit that allows you to have everything you want right now.
The very thought of patience is anathema. You are foolish to wait. You are foolish to wait til marriage to have sex. You are foolish to deprive yourself of the nice things of life while you are young. You are foolish to bear down to hard tasks when you could be having fun.
Sarver: Many Christians today are disillusioned and discouraged because they have unbiblical expectations of a trouble free life and because they are looking only at the present situation. They say things like, ““If I am a child of God how come I still get sick?”” ““How come I still suffer pain?”” ““How come Christians still die?”” ““How come Christians experience famine and poverty?”” (Genuine, faith-filled, and mature Christians do experience all these things!) Their expectations are not met and they grow discouraged and disillusioned because they are looking for the full benefits of being a child of God now when the Bible teaches that we are not to fix our eyes on the present situation but are to look ahead in faith to eternal glory. We wait in faith for the full benefits and inheritance of being a child of God to take place.
The answer is found in Philippians
Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name
II. THE UNIVERSALITY OF SUFFERING
A. The Travail of the World at Large
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
Groans sustenazo (soos-ten-ad’-zo); from T:4862 and NT:4727; to moan jointly, i.e. (figuratively) experience a common calamity:
Strongs Labors sunodino– to feel the pains of travail with, to be in travail together 2)metaphorically,to undergo agony (like a woman in childbirth) along with
Barnes: It refers to the whole animate creation; to all living beings; to the state of all created things
here, as in a condition of pain and disorder, and groaning and death. Everything which we see; every creature which lives, is thus subjected to a state of servitude, pain, vanity, and death.
Matthew Henry : Sin is a burden to the whole creation; There is a general outcry of the whole creation against the sin of man: 31:38.
Why there is any beauty of goodness now
MacArthur: In spite of this curse, however, much of the beauty, grandeur, and benefits of the natural world remains. Although they all deteriorate, flowers are still beautiful, mountains are still grand, forests are still magnificent, the heavenly bodies are still majestic, food still brings nourishment and is a pleasure to eat, and water still brings refreshment and sustains life. Despite the terrible curse that He inflicted on the earth, God’s majesty and gracious provision for mankind is still evident wherever one looks.
B. The Believer’s Travail- v.23
Rom 8:23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
Groan = i.e. (by implication) to sigh, murmur, pray inaudibly: KJV - with grief, groan, grudge, sigh.
2 Cor 4:8-11 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
John 15:18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 17:14 the world has hated them because they are not of the world
2 Tim 3:12 all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
1 Peter 4:13 Beloved, do not think it strange
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
Joel Sanabria: The circumstances of a believer’’s life are ordained by God. In the life of the believer there is no such thing as chance. God by His providence brings you into circumstances that you cannot understand at all, but the Spirit of God understands. God is bringing you into places and among people and into conditions in order that the intercession of the Spirit of God in you may take a place. Never put your hand in front of the circumstances and say, I am going to be my own providence. All your circumstances are in the hand of God, so never think it strange concerning the circumstances you are in.
“Waiting for the adoption. . redemption of our body
Adoption = huiothesia the placing as a son, i.e. adoption
III. THE INCOMPARABLE GLORY THAT IS COMING
A. The Wonderful Promises of God
Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Rom 8:18 the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us AMPLIFIED
Rom 8:14 for I have come to a reasoned conclusion that the sufferings of the present season are of no weight in comparison to the glory which is about to be revealed upon us. Wuest’s Translation
>Logi/zomai ga\r o%ti ou)k a&cia ta\ paqh/mata tou= nu=n kairou= pro\$ th\n me/llousan do/can a)pokalufqh=nai ei)$ h(ma=$.
Rom 8:21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Peterson: 20 Everything in creation is being more or
less held back. God reins it in 21until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.
Wycliffe Bible Commentary,
How should one view the sufferings of the present? They are to be viewed in the light of the glory that is about to be revealed in us (v. 18).
A.T. Robertson: We shall be included in the
radiance of the coming glory which will put in the
shadow the present sufferings.
Matthew Henry It surpasses all that we have yet
seen and known: there is something to come, something behind the curtain, that will outshine all.
Acts 3:18-22 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
Sibylline Oracle: And the cities shall be full of good things, and the fields rich; neither shall there be any sword throughout the land or battle-din; nor shall the earth be convulsed any more with deep-drawn groans. No war shall be any more, nor shall there be any more drought throughout the land, no famine, or hail to work havoc on the crops" (Sibylline Oracles 3: 744--756).
2 Cor 5:1-5 we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
Barclay: "Change and decay in all around I see." The world is one where beauty fades and loveliness decays; it is a dying world; but it is waiting for its liberation from all this and the coming of the state of glory.
Col 3:3-4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
2 Thess 1:9-10 the majesty of his power 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.
1 Peter 1:13 set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1 Peter 4:13-14 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
Rom 8:32-33 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Heb 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.
Heb 11:35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
B. The Eager Expectation of the Resurrection
Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
ga\r a)pokaradoki/a th=$ kti/sew$ th\n a)poka/luyin tw=n ui(w=n tou= qeou= a)pekde/xetai
Expectation = apokaradokia– anxious and
persistent expectation -Thayer "earnest expectation"[apekdechetai (NT:553)] denotes `awaiting with eagerness’
In the original language, the word translated as eager expectation means ““to watch with the neck outstretched and the head erect.
Creation = NT:2937 ktisis (ktis’-is);original formation (properly, the act; by implication, the thing, literally or figuratively): KJV - creation, creature,
Matthew Henry on “creature”
By the creature here we understand the whole frame of nature, especially that of this lower world
Barnes on “creature the Christian is waiting for his future glory and is, desirous of obtaining the full development of the honors that await him as the child of God; Rom 8:19.
Sarver: When that final curtain falls, God’’s true sons and daughters will be revealed for who they truly are. Right now Jesus Christ’’s followers look just like other people do. We get sick, just like other people. We experience heartbreak, failure, broken relationships, anger, frustration, and all the other things that are characteristic of the human condition. But one day the curtain will be pulled away, and who we really are will be revealed: God’’s adopted sons and daughters.
MacArthur believes it’s the whole creation in this passage as in v.22
Even non-biblical Jewish writings reflect that longing. The Apocalypse of Baruch describes an expected and long-awaited future utopia:
Eagerly waits apekdechomai– assiduously and
patiently waiting for Thayer
Manifestation = NT:602 apokalupsis
(ap-ok-al’-oop-sis); from NT:601;
disclosure: KJV - appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.
Rom 8:19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. NAS
Rom 8:19 For all creation is waiting patiently and hopefully for that future day when God will resurrect his children. TLB
The Message 19The created world itself can hardly wait for what’’s coming next.
Wiersbe When Christ finally imprisons Satan, He will deliver the entire creation from this bondage, and all nature will enjoy with us “the glorious liberty of the children of God”
Rom 8:23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
CHILD OF GOD TAKE COMFORT
Ps 30:5 Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning .
Lloyd Jones: Here in Romans sufferings and glory are brought together once more. Whenever the Word talks about the glory it immediately talks about the suffering, in order that unenlightened Christian people might be put right on this matter, and therefore might never become prey to the devil and all his wiles and subtleties. Because you are suffering with Him, he says to you Christians, you are certain to be glorified with Him.
The Christian must never be taken by surprise by suffering and led to question the truth of salvation because he is suffering.
Kent Hughes writes, “No matter what we have gone through, are presently going through, or will go through, the sum total is not worth comparing with the glory that awaits us.
Dr. John F. MacArthur, Jr. stated the following:
You will never know all the benefits of the power of suffering until you realize that a sovereign God is providentially ordering everything for your good and His glory. Once you come to accept that God is in control of all things, you will be that much better prepared to deal with whatever hardships and sufferings He may choose to send your way
Day By Day
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best.
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He Whose Name is Counselor and Power;
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"
This the pledge to me He made.
Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
Ever to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.
