“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. — The στενάζω (stenazō, "groan") of the κτίσις (ktisis, "creation")—likened to ὠδῖν τέκνον (ōdīn teknon, "birth pangs")—witnesses to the world's travail. This is not death's finality but labor; eschatological transformation is imminent. The groaning is productive suffering.
Church Fathers on Romans 8:22
“For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.” Observe, how he shames the hearer, saying almost, Be not thou worse than the creation, neither find a pleasure in resting in things present. Not only ought we not to cling to them, but even to groan over the delay of our departure hence. For if the creation does this, much more ought thou to do so, honored with reason as you are. But as this was not yet enough to force their attention, he…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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