Devine Scripture

Romans 8:23

What does Romans 8:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 8:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 8:23 means

Believers, though possessing the first-fruits of the Spirit—a foretaste and guarantee of what is to come—also groan inwardly. We long for the fullness of adoption, defined here as the redemption of our bodies. Adoption is already real, but its consummation includes bodily transformation. The Spirit’s presence awakens deeper longing, not less. Our sighs are not despair but homesickness for the completion of God’s work. This verse balances present assurance with honest yearning, teaching us to interpret our frustrations and frailties as pointers to the promised resurrection. The Christian hope is embodied and concrete: God will make his children whole, inside and out, in the age to come.

Romans 8:23 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

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And not only so, but we who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we have sorrow in our minds, waiting for the time when we will take our place as sons, that is, the salvation of our bodies.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And not only <FI>so<Fi> , but also we ourselves, having the first-fruit of the Spirit, we also ourselves in ourselves do groan, adoption expecting--the redemption of our body;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And not only it, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit: even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of the sons of God, the redemption of our body.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And not only [that], but even we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, we also ourselves groan in ourselves, awaiting adoption, [that is] the redemption of our body.

Context

Following creation’s groaning (v. 22), Paul affirms believers’ parallel experience: already endowed with the Spirit, yet still longing for bodily redemption. This naturally introduces the concept of hope in verses 24–25—salvation is bound up with hopeful waiting for what is not yet seen, and such hope produces patient endurance. The movement goes from groaning to hoping to waiting, shaping a resilient posture amid present sufferings.

v.22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

v.23This passage

v.24For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?

Cross references

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

  • 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.

  • Romans 8:15

    For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

  • Luke 21:28

    But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh.

  • Romans 8:19

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

  • 2 Timothy 4:8

    henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.

  • Luke 20:36

    for neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

Sermon ideas from Romans 8:23

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

  • What Romans 8:23 teaches us about justification

  • What Romans 8:23 teaches us about indwelling spirit

  • What Romans 8:23 teaches us about adoption

  • What Romans 8:23 teaches us about final perseverance

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Romans 8

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Romans 8.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Romans 8:23.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary