Devine Scripture

Romans 8:22

What does Romans 8:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 8:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 8:22 means

Paul summarizes the present condition: the whole creation groans and suffers labor pains together until now. The imagery of childbirth is deliberate—pain that signals imminent life. Creation’s groaning is not the last word; it anticipates a joyful outcome. The present age is marked by natural disorder, decay, and catastrophe, but these are not random; they point to a world awaiting renewal. This perspective both dignifies creation’s sufferings and instills hope. Believers are to interpret the world’s brokenness in light of God’s promise, not as proof of his absence but as a reminder that the new creation is on the horizon, aligned with the revealing of God’s sons.

Romans 8:22 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 we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For we are conscious that all living things are weeping and sorrowing in pain together till now.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for we have known that all the creation doth groan together, and doth travail in pain together till now.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For we know that every creature groaneth and travaileth in pain, even till now.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For we know that the whole creation groans together and travails in pain together until now.

Context

After describing the ultimate hope for creation (v. 21), Paul characterizes the current state as collective groaning like labor pains. This image bridges to verse 23, where he affirms that believers, too, groan while possessing the first-fruits of the Spirit, longing for bodily redemption. The sequence maintains a dual focus: cosmic and personal, present pain and future glory, which will transition into the theme of hope’s unseen nature in verses 24–25.

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.

v.22This passage

v.23And 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.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 16:15

    And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

  • Jeremiah 12:4

    How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither? for the wickedness of them that dwell therein, the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our latter end.

  • Romans 8:20

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

  • Psalms 48:6

    Trembling took hold of them there, Pain, as of a woman in travail.

  • Revelation 12:2

    and she was with child; and she crieth out, travailing in birth, and in pain to be delivered.

  • John 16:21

    A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world.

Sermon ideas from Romans 8:22

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

  • What Romans 8:22 teaches us about justification

  • What Romans 8:22 teaches us about indwelling spirit

  • What Romans 8:22 teaches us about adoption

  • What Romans 8:22 teaches us about final perseverance

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