Devine Scripture

Romans 8:19

What does Romans 8:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 8:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 8:19 means

Creation is depicted as straining forward in eager expectation for the revealing of the sons of God. The world God made is not indifferent to human destiny; it is bound up with it. When God’s children are fully manifested in glory, creation’s own renewal will follow. Paul personifies creation to show the intensity of its longing and the certainty of God’s plan. The reversal of sin’s curse is not merely spiritual and private; it will be public and cosmic. The future unveiling of believers’ status will signal a new era where the effects of the fall are undone and the harmony of creation is restored under God’s rule.

Romans 8:19 in context

Romans 8 — No Condemnation, No Separation

The high-water mark of Paul's letters. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. The Spirit of life sets us free from the law of sin and death; the same Spirit cries 'Abba, Father' in our hearts and assures us we are children and heirs. Suffering is real, but the glory ahead is incomparably greater. All things work together for good to those who love God. And nothing — neither death nor life nor angels nor things present nor things to come — shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • Justification
  • Indwelling Spirit
  • Adoption
  • Final perseverance

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For the strong desire of every living thing is waiting for the revelation of the sons of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for the earnest looking out of the creation doth expect the revelation of the sons of God;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the expectation of the creature waiteth for the revelation of the sons of God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For the anxious looking out of the creature expects the revelation of the sons ofGod:

Context

Coming after the assurance that future glory outweighs present suffering (v. 18), verse 19 introduces creation’s eager stance toward that coming glory. It anticipates verses 20–21, which explain why creation longs: it was subjected to futility by God but in hope of liberation. Together, these verses expand the believer’s horizon beyond personal salvation to include the created order’s participation in God’s redemptive purpose, preparing for the shared language of groaning in verses 22–23.

v.18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward.

v.19This passage

v.20For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 3:21

    whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old.

  • 1 John 3:2

    Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is.

  • Malachi 3:17

    And they shall be mine, saith Jehovah of hosts, even mine own possession, in the day that I make; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

  • Matthew 25:31

    But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory:

  • Romans 8:23

    And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

  • Isaiah 65:17

    For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Sermon ideas from Romans 8:19

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Romans 8:19 teaches us about justification

  • What Romans 8:19 teaches us about indwelling spirit

  • What Romans 8:19 teaches us about adoption

  • What Romans 8:19 teaches us about final perseverance

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