Devine Scripture

Romans 8:20

What does Romans 8:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 8:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 8:20 means

Creation’s current frustration is traced to God’s judicial act: it was subjected to futility, not because creation chose it, but because God appointed it in response to human sin. Yet this subjection was not hopeless; it was done “in hope,” signaling God’s purpose to restore. The futility includes decay, disorder, and thwarted flourishing—effects of the fall that touch every part of the natural world. By attributing this to God’s sovereign act, Paul shows that the current state is neither accidental nor ultimate. The same God who judged has also embedded a promise of renewal, ensuring that the story of creation will move from frustration to freedom when redemption is consummated.

Romans 8:20 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 creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For every living thing was put under the power of change, not by its desire, but by him who made it so, in hope

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for to vanity was the creation made subject--not of its will, but because of Him who did subject <FI>it<Fi> --in hope,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the creature was made subject to vanity: not willingly, but by reason of him that made it subject, in hope.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for the creature has been made subject to vanity, not of its will, but by reason of him who has subjected [the same], in hope

Context

Verse 20 explains the reason behind creation’s longing (v. 19): divine subjection to futility as a consequence of human sin, yet with embedded hope. This sets up verse 21, which describes the nature of creation’s coming freedom—deliverance from decay into the liberty accompanying the glory of God’s children. The logic moves from cause (subjection), to posture (hope), to outcome (liberation), framing the believer’s own groaning and hope in verses 22–23.

v.19For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God.

v.20This passage

v.21that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.

Cross references

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

  • Hosea 4:3

    Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

  • Isaiah 24:5

    The earth also is polluted under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.

  • Jeremiah 14:5

    Yea, the hind also in the field calveth, and forsaketh her young, because there is no grass.

  • Romans 8:22

    For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

  • Jeremiah 12:11

    They have made it a desolation; it mourneth unto me, being desolate; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.

  • Ecclesiastes 1:2

    Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.

Sermon ideas from Romans 8:20

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

  • What Romans 8:20 teaches us about justification

  • What Romans 8:20 teaches us about indwelling spirit

  • What Romans 8:20 teaches us about adoption

  • What Romans 8:20 teaches us about final perseverance

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