Romans 8:19

19. For In explanation of this inrevealed glory.

Earnest expectation The expressive Greek word implies an eager stretching forward of the head to watch the future.

The creature The created. The Greek word may designate any created thing or being, or the whole creation as one. Hence the term has been a battle-ground for critics, six of whose various opinions are given by Alford as to the present application of the term. Without discussing them in detail we give our own view, which slightly varies from any one of them.

In the present verse Paul applies the word primarily, we think, to himself and his fellow-Christians. He means the creature nature in us, (Romans 8:18,) as part of the creation, yet as human beings, and including essentially all humanity. That the human creature, the creature in humanity, is meant, is clearly evinced by the ascription of personal qualities, as expectation, waiteth willingly. This also consistently continues the subjective style of Romans 8:16-17, where our personal sufferings are contrasted with our own future glory. So Paul (Romans 8:13) uses the word the flesh, and the body, as a general term, indeed, yet now considered specially as ours. As creature we (the suffering us of the last verse) look forward to the promised renovation. This subjective sense continues until in Romans 8:22 Paul momentarily takes in the whole creation, and then returns to his fellow-Christians (and himself) exclusively, (Romans 8:23.)

Manifestation At the final renovation, the sons of God will be made manifest by their renewal in the glorious likeness of Christ, (Romans 8:30.) For this as creature they wait.