Groaning in Hope

Romans: The Gospel for God’s glory
Romans 8:18-25
Groaning in hope
Creation groans and we groan in suffering as we wait eagerly for our glorification

What are ways we suffer?

1) Present sufferings are small compared to our future glory, 8:18.
How does v.18 relate to v.17?

2) All of creation eagerly waits for the revelation of God’s children, 8:19.
This is how central the glorification of the sons of God is to creation. All creation is “craning its neck” in eager longing to see the revelation of God’s kids.

3) Creation was subjected by God to futility not of itself but in hope, 8:20.
What does Paul mean by saying that creation was subjected by God to futility? Examples?

4) Creation’s hope is to be freed from decay into the freedom of the glory of God’s children, 8:21.
How does v.21 describe the hope that God designed for creation, even as he subjected it to futility?

5) All of creation groans and suffers birth pangs together until now, 8:22.
What are examples of creation “groaning in birth pangs”? Why is “birth pangs” a hopeful analogy?

6) We groan, having the Spirit, as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies, 8:23.
What does it mean that we have the firstfruits of the Spirit? How does having the “firstfruits of the Spirit” cause us to groan?

7) We were saved in hope, as we don’t yet see our hope fulfilled, 8:24.

8) We wait with patient endurance for the fulfillment of our unseen hope, 8:25.
According to vss.23-25, how can we “groan” and suffer in hope? How important is “waiting with patient endurance” to suffering/groaning in hope?

2 Peter 3:13–14 — 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

2 Corinthians 4:17, For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.