For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (19) For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, (21) Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (23) 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. (24) For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? (25) But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (26) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Under this part of the Chapter, we have a vast fulness of subject, which, if prosecuted through all its different bearings, would of itself form a volume. I must study shortness for the Poor Man's Commentary, while omitting nothing that is important to dwell upon.
The Apostle begins this passage with stating his views of the disproportioned estimate, between the sufferings of the present life to the Church and to all the members of it, how great or numerous soever they might be, and the glory which is to follow. And this is so plain and obvious as to require no enlargement. For, as the present time-state of the Church, compared to eternity is no more than a grain of sand to the earth: So, the sorrows of such a state can bear no greater proportion than a drop of rain to the ocean. There is a vast beauty in the expression, the glory which shall be revealed in us: meaning Christ. The Son of God in our nature glorified in his saints. In him, and through him, the in-dwelling of God in his threefold character of Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, will be the glory revealed. Our utmost conceptions can go but a very little way in this subject. The Lord Jesus hath graciously opened to us the blessed contemplation, in what he said to his Father. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be one even as we are one, John 17:22. And what a glory the Lord hath indeed already given his regenerate? What a glory is it to contemplate the union of Christ and his Church, from one eternity to another! Reader! have you ever studied the glory of the Church, what it was before all worlds in Christ? What it was during the time-state of Jesus appearing on earth in the Church's union with Christ? What it is now in heaven, in being represented there by Christ? And what heart shall conceive, what it will be, in the glory, as Paul here speaks, which shall be revealed in us from Christ; in his dwelling in his Church, and his Church in him to all eternity! I in them (said the Lord) and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me, John 17:23
Concerning the creature here spoken of, waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God, being made subject to vanity, under the bondage of corruption, and groaning and travailing together in pain until now; various have been the opinions of various persons, but all entangled with difficulty in the apprehension. Some have referred it to angels, some to the brute creation, some to the world of intelligent creatures partaking in the common event of the fall. But the Holy Ghost hath not been pleased to throw a light upon it sufficient to determine with any certainty. But it is a sweet consolation, be it what it may, the promise that follows, that this creature shall ultimately be delivered, from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. So the Holy Ghost hath said by the Apostle in another scripture. All things shall be finally gathered in Christ, Ephesians 1:10
But I pass by many other considerations, to call the Reader's attention to what is said in those verses, concerning the love, and grace, and mercy of God the Holy Ghost. The Apostle saith, that the Spirit helpeth our infirmities, for we are ignorant how to pray; but He maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered: and that He who searcheth the hearts, knoweth the mind of the Spirit, and maketh intercession for the saints, according to the will of God. Here is a vast depth of Scripture here, as it relates to the Person, Godhead, and Ministry, of the Holy Ghost. But I must not indulge myself in entering into the whole particularly. A few observations only shall I offer.
And first, Here are the infirmities of God's children considered, which rendereth the help of the Holy Ghost so truly blessed. They know not the extent of their own fallen nature. They are ignorant of the power of Satan. When they would pray, they are too often faint, and unable. And, though a throne of grace is open before them; yet they want words, and they want faith to come as they ought, to the mercy-seat, to seek mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Secondly. Here is the Holy Ghost very blessedly set forth in his sweet office-character, namely, the helper of our infirmities in prayer. Thus the Lord the Spirit was promised, Zechariah 12:10, And thus he is found to his people, John 15:26-27
But thirdly. It is very blessed to have a right apprehension how God the Holy Ghost helpeth the Lord's people in prayer; that when they are ignorant what to pray for, how to plead, and with what words to come before the Lord; God the Spirit puts the cry into their heart, and a spirit of wrestling in their souls, that they may plead like wrestling Jacob, and come off like prevailing Israel. This scripture shews. When we know not what we should pray for as we ought, (which we never can know but by his teaching), the Spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Not that the Holy Ghost groans, but he gives a fervency of prayer in the souls of his people, which can only express itself in groans, not in words. Not that the Holy Ghost makes intercession for them, (for this is the sole office of Jesus the High Priest), but with them. The Spirit pleads with them, and not with God. He indites their prayers. He teacheth how to pray, and what to pray for. And what He teacheth them to ask upon earth, is in exact correspondence to what Jesus their Great High Priest is interceding for them in Heaven. The prayer taught by God the Holy Ghost in their hearts, is like an echo to the intercession of Jesus before the throne. And this receiveth another blessed testimony, because it is not only in perfect unison to the intercession of Christ and the inditing of the Holy Spirit; but it is in exact uniformity to the will of God, He who searcheth the heart of the poor petitioner knoweth the mind and will of God. So that all is harmonious, the Father, Son, and Spirit, in the precious work and grace; and all concur in those blessed purposes of salvation.
In the verse which speaks of the highly privileged lovers of God, who are the called according to God's purpose; we can only stay to notice, that it comprehends all the blessings of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. All things work together for good. God himself in his threefold character of Persons, and in all his Covenant offices, and relations: the Father in his everlasting love and purpose: the Son in his fullness, suitableness, and all-sufficiency: and the Holy Ghost in his operations, graces, and influences: all minister to this end, in every department of nature, providence, grace, and glory. And, the call implies the freedom of it, the fullness of it, the unmerited, unexpected, unlooked for, mercifulness of it: and all referred into the divine purpose, not human deservings; not man's merit, but God's mercy.
Neither doth the cause of those distinguishing blessings which is related in the verses which follow, strike the mind with less conviction of God's sovereignty and favor; namely, Jehovah's foreknowledge, fore-appointment, and eternal design of the Church to those mercies; that the glorious Head, and his highly favored members, might have a conformity. everything is here shewn to have been arranged and ordained in one continued train of order, that all should be to Christ, and from Christ, and for Christ; and all leading from the original and eternal design, through all the gradations of being predestinated to the being called, and from being called to the being justified, and from the being justified to the being glorified. Reader! ponder well these precious things, and call to mind the Apostle's advice, 2 Peter 1:10-11.