Romans 8:20
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly,
but by reason of him who subjected the same in hope.
a. NLT: Against its will, all
creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope,
b. NIV: For the creation was
subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who
subjected it, in hope
c. YLT: for to vanity was the
creation made subject -- not of its will, but because of Him who did
subject it -- in hope,
d. Amplified Bible Classic: For
the creation (nature) was subjected to frailty (to futility, condemned to
frustration), not because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the
will of Him Who so subjected it—[yet] with the hope
e. Worrell Translation: For the
creation was made subject to vanity, not of choice, but by reason of Him Who
subjected it, in hope.
1.”For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly…”
a. for [1063 * gar] [Strong: a
primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation
or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but,
even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]
b. the creature [2937 * ktisis]
[Zodhiates: creation.] [Strong: from 2936; original formation (properly, the
act; by implication, the thing, literally or figuratively):--building,
creation, creature, ordinance.] [Thayer:
the act of founding, establishing, building etc, the act of creating,
creation, creation i.e. thing created, of individual things, beings, a
creature, a creation, anything created, after a rabbinical usage (by which a
man converted from idolatry to Judaism was called), the sum or aggregate of
things created, institution, ordinance.]
1). Marvin R. Vincent Commentary: The interpretations vary: 1. The whole
unredeemed creation, rational and irrational. 2. All creation, except humanity.
The point of difference is the inclusion or exclusion of humanity. The second
explanation is preferable, the non-rational creation viewed collectively,
animate and inanimate. Equivalent to all nature
c. made subject [5293 * hupotasso;
hupo-under; tasso-to arrange] [Thayer: to arrange under, to subordinate, to
subject, put in subjection, to subject one's self, obey, to submit to one's
control, to yield to one's admonition or advice, to obey, be subject.] [Strong:
from 5259 and 5021; to subordinate; reflexively, to obey:--be under obedience
(obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in
subjection (to, under), submit self unto.] [W.E. Vine: a military term, to rank
under.]
d. to vanity [3153 * mataiotes] W.E.
Vine: emptiness as to results, of the creation as failing of the results
designed, owing to sin.] [Strong: from 3152; inutility; figuratively,
transientness; morally, depravity:--vanity.]
e. not [3756 * ou, also (before a vowel) ouk, and
(before an aspirate) ouch] [Strong: a primary word; the absolute negative
(compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man),
none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]
f. willingly[1635 * hekon] [Strong:
of uncertain affinity; voluntary:--willingly.] [Vine: Out of free will,
voluntary.] [Thayer: unforced, voluntary, willing, of one's own will
of one's own accord.]
1). When God created the universe
He did so with the foreknowledge it would fail. The plan of redemption is older
than the physical universe.
a). 1 Peter 1:18-20 Forasmuch as ye know that
ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your
fathers;
1:19 But with the precious blood
of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1:20 Who verily was foreordained
before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for
you,
b). The partial development of
that thought is found in the next verse. As we shall see in the next section of
this verse it was in the plan of God to do so.
2. “…but by reason of him who subjected the same in hope.”
a. but [235 * alla] [Strong: neuter
plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many
relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no,
notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]
b. by reason [1223 * dia] [Strong:
a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide
applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to
avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by
occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though,
through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same
general importance.]
c. of him who subjected [5293 *
hupotasso] [Strong: from 5259 and 5021; to subordinate; reflexively, to
obey:--be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make)
subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.]
d. the same [1909 * epi] [Strong: a
primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order,
etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon,
etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the
accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after,
against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-,
(where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of,
(up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out),
(un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at,
upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).]
e. in hope [1680 * elpis] [Strong:
from a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation
(abstractly or concretely) or confidence:--faith, hope.]
1). God is in control. It is God
that subjected his creation to vanity, It is God that says here and in other
passages that he will redeem his creation. Before the creation was ever spoken
into existence God had a plan of redemption.
a). 1 Peter 1:18-20 Forasmuch as
ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,
from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1:19 But with the precious blood
of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1:20 Who verily was foreordained
before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for
you,
2). Immediately after the fall, God
Almighty, El Shaddai revealed the hope, “the seed of the woman”. The hope of
course is Jesus Christ our redeemer.
a). Genesis 3:15 And I will put
enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall
bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
3). I believe Scripture reveals
that before creation the three persons of the Godhead planned the redemption of
mankind down to the most intricate detail.
a). Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we
have obtained an inheritance, being
predestined according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the
counsel of his own will:
4). The end result or “the hope” of
God creating all of creation subject to failure is that in the end because of
the shed blood of Christ on the cross to redeem mankind all of creation would
be redeemed also.
