Romans 8:23 NLT,NIV,ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:23

And we too, while in this mortal body, must needs share in this universal groaning; but, having already the firstfruits of the Spirit—the earnest already of a diviner life—we especially yearn all the more for deliverance, and expect it hopefully. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 8:23

And not only they - Not only the creation in general. “But ourselves also.” Christians.Which have the first-fruits of the Spirit - The word used ἀπαρχὴ aparchē denotes properly the first-fruits of the harvest, the portion that was first collected and consecrated to God as an offering of gratitude, Deuteronomy 26:2; Exodus 23:19; Numbers 18:13. Hence, the word means what is first in order of time. Here it means, as I suppose, that the Christians of whom Paul was speaking had partaken of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 8:23

Romans 8:23. And not only they The unenlightened and unrenewed part of mankind; but we ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit Because first-fruits signify the best things of their kind, some think that the apostles, and such as possessed the most excellent spiritual gifts, are spoken of in this passage. But as the privileges described Rom 8:24-26 equally belong to all, it seems more probable that the apostle speaks of believers in general, who had the gifts of the Spirit... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Romans 8:18-39

Christian confidence (8:18-39)Whatever sufferings believers may experience, they are of little significance when compared with the glory to be revealed on the day of final victory (18). On that day the physical creation, which from the time of Adam has suffered because of human sin (cf. Genesis 1:28-30; Genesis 3:17-18), will enter its full glory along with redeemed human life (19-22). All the effects of sin will be removed, and believers will be raised from the dead in imperishable spiritual... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 8:23

firstfruits of the Spirit . The gifts of the Holy Spirit as the foretaste and pledge of the eternal inheritance. Compare Ephesians 1:14 .Hebrews 6:5 . See Exodus 23:19 . Leviticus 23:10 , &c. firstfruits . Greek. aparche. Occurs here, Romans 11:16 ; Rom 16:5 . 1 Corinthians 15:20 ; 1 Corinthians 15:23 ; 1 Corinthians 16:15 .James 1:18 . Revelation 14:4 . groan . Greek. stenazo. Here, Mark 7:34 . 2 Corinthians 5:2 , 2 Corinthians 5:4 .Hebrews 13:17 . James 5:9 . Compare Romans 8:21 . ... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 8:23

And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.But ourselves also ... Alas, not even Christians are exempt from the tragic consequences of Adam's transgression. Universal sighing is also our lot. As Brunner expressed it:Of course, we have already become sons or children of God; but the effect of the redemption and the full realization of the sonship are still... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 8:19-23

Romans 8:19-23.— I must think, that it was quite to the Apostle's purpose in this place to point at the common calamities of mankind. Christians ought not to be uneasy if they are exposed to sufferings on account of religion; for this world is a state of suffering and distress, and all mankind are groaning under various pressures. That the Apostle in these verses does not mean only the Christian world or creation, seems evident; because first, that even the creature itself, or even the very... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Romans 8:23

Romans 8:23. And not only they, but ourselves also— That this is meant of the Apostles, appears plain from the following reasons: First, But ourselves also,—even we ourselves,—are very emphatical expressions, and direct our thoughts to some persons of distinction and eminence. Secondly, there will be little or no argument in this verse, if it be understood of the whole body of Christians: it will be only telling them what is supposed to be already known,—that they were in a state of affliction,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 8:23

23. And not only they, but ourselves also—or "not only [so], but even we ourselves"—that is, besides the inanimate creation. which have the first-fruits of the Spirit—or, "the Spirit as the first-fruits" of our full redemption (compare :-), moulding the heart to a heavenly frame and attempering it to its future element. even we ourselves—though we have so much of heaven already within us. groan within ourselves—under this "body of sin and death," and under the manifold "vanity and vexation of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 8:18-25

3. Our present sufferings and future glory 8:18-25Paul proceeded to expound on the thought that he introduced at the end of Romans 8:17. This passage gives a very wide perspective of God’s great plan of redemption, which is the heart of Paul’s theology. [Note: See Don N. Howell Jr., "The Center of Pauline Theology," Bibliotheca Sacra 151:601 (January-March 1994):50-70.] read more