Romans 8:20-21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 8:17-25

In these words the apostle describes a fourth illustrious branch of the happiness of believers, namely, a title to the future glory. This is fitly annexed to our sonship; for as the adoption of sons entitles us to that glory, so the disposition of sons fits and prepares us for it. If children, then heirs, Rom. 8:17. In earthly inheritances this rule does not hold, only the first-born are heirs; but the church is a church of first-born, for they are all heirs. Heaven is an inheritance that all... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 8:18-25

8:18-25 For I am convinced that the sufferings of this present age cannot be compared with the glory which is destined to be disclosed to us. The created world awaits with eager expectation the day when those who are the sons of God will be displayed in all their glory. For the created world has been subjected to chaos, not because of its own choice, but through him who passed the sentence of such subjugation upon it, and yet it still has the hope that the created world also will be liberated... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 8:20

For the creature was made subject to vanity ,.... This designs the vanity and emptiness of the minds of the Gentiles, who were without God and Christ, and the Holy Spirit, without the law and Gospel, and grace of God; also the vain conceits they had of themselves, of their wisdom, knowledge, learning, and eloquence; likewise their vain philosophy, particularly their gross idolatry, their polytheism, or worshipping of many gods; together with their divers lusts and vices, to which they were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 8:21

Because the creature itself also ,.... The phrase in hope, which stands in our version, at the end of the preceding verse, should be placed in the beginning of this, and be read in connection with Romans 8:19 being a parenthesis, thus: "the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God, in hope that the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption"; and so it is placed in some copies, and in the Syriac version: that is, "the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 8:20

For the creature was made subject to vanity - The Gentile world were subject to vanity of mind; but how? not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same. May we not say, it became vain willingly, but was made subject to vanity unwillingly? For, let us recur to the origin of Gentilism, the confusion of languages, by reason of the attempt to build the tower of Babel; and though there are some passages in the gloss of the Targumists upon this matter that are sufficiently... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 8:21

Because the creature - This and the preceding verse should be thus connected: in hope That ( ὁτι ) the creature itself also shall be delivered. The word φθορα denotes, very frequently, sinful corruption. So, 2 Peter 1:4 ; : Corruption through lust, της εν επιθυμια φθορας . 2 Corinthians 11:3 ; : Lest your minds should be corrupted. 1 Corinthians 15:33 ; : Evil communications corrupt good manners. The sense, therefore, of the apostle in this place seems to be: the Gentile world... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 8:20

Verse 20 20.For to vanity has the creation, etc. He shows the object of expectation from what is of an opposite character; for as creatures, being now subject to corruption, cannot be restored until the sons of God shall be wholly restore; hence they, longing for their renewal, look forward to the manifestation of the celestial kingdom. He says, that they have been subjected to vanity, and for this reason, because they abide not in a constant and durable state, but being as it were evanescent... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 8:21

Verse 21 21.Because the creation itself, etc. He shows how the creation has in hope been made subject to vanity; that is, inasmuch as it shall some time be made free, according to what Isaiah testifies, and what Peter confirms still more clearly. It is then indeed meet for us to consider what a dreadful curse we have deserved, since all created things in themselves blameless, both on earth and in the visible heaven, undergo punishment for our sins; for it has not happened through their own... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:1-39

( c ) The blessed condition and assured hope of such as are in Christ Jesus. The summary of the contents of this chapter, which follows the Exposition, may be referred to in the first place by the student, so as to assist comprehension of the line of thought. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:12-30

The privileges and responsibilities of the children of God. The apostle in these verses makes a high claim for believers—the claim of being children of God. In this eighth chapter he unfolds, as in a panoramic view, the whole plan of salvation. He begins with the idea that those who are in Christ Jesus are delivered from condemnation. But salvation is something more than that. It means sonship also. And step by step, verse by verse, the apostle advances, at each step unfolding some fresh... read more

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