Friday, September 26, 2008

Romans 8:19

Romans 8:19

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

a. NLT: For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.

b. NIV: For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

c. YLT: for the earnest looking out of the creation doth expect the revelation of the sons of God;

d. Amplified Bible Classic:  For [even the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God’s sons to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship].

e. Worrell Translation: For the earnest longing of the creation is waiting for the revelation of the sons of God.

1.”For the earnest expectation of the creature…”

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. earnest expectation [603 * apokaradokia; apo-from; kara-the head; dokeo-to look, to watch] [Zodhiates: Attentive or earnest expectation or looking for, as with the neck stretched out and the head thrust forward.] [Strong: from a comparative of 575 and a compound of kara (the head) and 1380 (in the sense of watching); intense anticipation:--earnest expectation.]

c. of 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.

2). The only other time in the N.T. where apokaradokia i.e., “earnest expectation” is used is in Philippians.

a). Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so not also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be life, or by death.”

b). Paul used the same term to describe his earnest expectation of glorifying Christ in his body and creations anticipation of waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God.

2. “…waiteth for the manifestation of…”

a. waiteth for [553 * apekdechomai] [Zodhaites: To expect, to look for, used as a suitable expression for the Christians hope…realized in the redemption of the body.] [Strong: from 575 and 1551; to expect fully:--look (wait) foreign.]

1). [Don Costello: “The above is true, but in the context Paul is not talking about the Christians hope of the redemption of the body. Paul is referring to creations expecting, looking for the manifestation of the sons of God, i.e., the transformation of the believers physical body into a glorified one, the return of Christ and all the promises of redemption that accompany it.”]

b. the manifestation [602 * apokalupsis] [Zodhiates: Revelation, uncovering, unveiling, disclosure. One of three words referring to the Second coming of Christ. [Don Costello: The second coming of Christ is actually a series of events, the first of which is the coming of Christ in the clouds to get his church, the “rapture”.

3. “…the sons of God.”

a. the sons [5207 * huios] [Zodhiates: Generally, male offspring. Christians.]

  1. of God [2316 * theos] [Strong:  of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

1). One becomes a son of God accepting and receiving Jesus Christ as Lord.

a). John 1:12, 13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

2). A son of God is a debtor to live after the Spirit.

a). Romans 8:9-14 But ye  are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness.
8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
8:12 Therefore, brethren we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

3). Right now, we are the sons of God, but we are not in the state that we shall be. We do not have the glorified body we are going to get at the rapture. When the rapture occurs, the “sons of God” will be manifested.

a). 1 John 3:1-3 Beloved, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”
3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

4). All of creation is awaiting expectantly the rapture of the Church, the manifestation of the sons of God.

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