Romans 8:20

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.