The Birth-Pangs of Immortality.
Romans 8:18. These present sufferings are light beyond comparison, in view of the glory awaiting us at the coming revelation. The destined glory is hidden under a fleshly veil (see Romans 8:10, Php_3:21, Colossians 3:3 f.; also 1 John 3:2).
Romans 8:19; Romans 8:22. With this mystery all creation is pregnant, in strained expectancy awaiting the revelation of the sons of God, sighing and groaning in travail-pains.
Romans 8:23. Though sons of God, having the Spirit as a first-fruit of our estate, we await a further adoption, viz. the redemption of our body (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:14; Ephesians 4:30).
Romans 8:20 f. From no will of its own, the creation has been blighted and baulked with hope, however, that it will be delivered from its bondage to decay, to share the liberty and shine in the glory of God's children. This apocalypse brings the world of Nature, as Romans 5:12-21 brought the world of History, into the scope of Christ's redemption.
Romans 8:24 f. We are far from seeing this emancipation (cf. Hebrews 2:8); but hope forecasts the not-seen and sustains endurance.
Romans 8:26 f. Meanwhile our weakness is helped through prayer prompted by the indwelling Spirit.In like fashion moreover: for the Spirit's speechless sighings are in concert with the sighings of our hearts and of creation around us (Romans 8:22 f.). Paul and his readers discern a Mind beneath their own consciousness (cf. Romans 8:16), prompting inexpressible heavenward longings. God interprets the Spirit's pleadings on the saints-' behalf, for He is their source. True prayer is the mystic utterance, Divinely prompted, of the soul of man and nature.