“For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,”
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in the hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay. — The κτίσις (ktisis, "creation") was ὑποτάσσω (hypotassō, "subjected") to ματαιότης (mataiotēs, "futility") by God's decree (presumably through Adam's sin and its cosmic consequence). Yet this subjection carries ἐλπίς (elpis, "hope")—the creation will be freed from φθορά (phthora, "decay"). Creation's liberation is eschatologically linked to human redemption.
Church Fathers on Romans 8:20
“For the earnest expectation of the creation waits,” he says, “for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who has subjected the same in hope.” And the meaning is something of this kind. The creation itself is in the midst of its pangs, waiting for and expecting these good things whereof we have just now spoken. For “earnest expectation” (ἀ ποκαραδοκία, looking out) implies expecting intensely. And…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!