Romans 8:22-25
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The word "together" is crucial here, emphasizing that creation's groaning isn't a solitary cry but a shared, unified experience. This profound image highlights that the entire created order, animate and inanimate, participates in this suffering, reflecting a cosmic solidarity in its longing for redemption.
For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is explaining that the groaning believers experience isn't isolated; it's part of a universal suffering that began when humanity fell and corrupted God's creation. This deep, aching sense of incompleteness is shared by the entire created order, waiting for its ultimate redemption.
Ever notice how brokenness seems to permeate everything, not just human hearts? Paul says there's a reason for that.
Paul uses a powerful image here: creation itself is groaning and in labor pains. This isn't just about people; it's about the entire created order, from the smallest ant to the vastest ocean.
A World Aching
Because of humanity's fall into sin (as detailed in Genesis 3), the whole of creation was subjected to 'vanity' or futility. This means it's no longer functioning as God originally intended. It's in a state of disorder, decay, and suffering.
Not Its Fault!
Paul emphasizes that this suffering isn't creation's fault. It groans 'not willingly,' but 'because of him who subjected it.' This points to God's judgment on humanity's sin, which impacted everything.
The Pain of Waiting
The 'groaning' and 'travailing' are likened to the intense pains of childbirth. This imagery signifies not just suffering, but a suffering with a purpose – it's leading towards a future, glorious delivery. Creation is aching, but it's an ache that anticipates a great rescue.
If everything is groaning, why isn't it just a hopeless wail? Paul gives us a crucial piece of the puzzle.
The imagery of childbirth is key here. It's not just about pain; it's about a pain that leads to something new and wonderful. Creation's groaning isn't a sign of despair, but a sign of its longing for redemption.
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A Future Transformation
Paul tells us that creation 'groaneth and travaileth' specifically 'until now,' implying that this state is temporary. It is waiting for a future liberation – the 'glorious liberty of the children of God.'
Anticipating the Sons of God
This groaning is directly linked to the 'earnest expectation' of creation for the 'manifestation of the sons of God' (Romans 8:19). When God's redeemed children are fully revealed in their glory, creation itself will be freed from its bondage to decay.
God's Purpose in the Pain
This shared suffering under sin highlights the profound impact of humanity's rebellion. But it also points to God's ultimate plan to restore not just humanity, but the entire created order. The current suffering is a prelude to a renewed creation, free from corruption.
Understand the original words
pneuma · Greek Noun
The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who indwells believers. The term describes the Spirit as the initial installment or guarantee of the complete redemption and future inheritance awaiting God’s people.
aparchē · Greek Noun
The initial portion or the first installment of a harvest, serving as a pledge or promise of the full harvest to come. It represents the present blessing of the Spirit as a down payment on future glory.
huiothesia · Greek Noun
The formal act of being placed as a son in a family with all the rights and privileges thereof. In theology, it refers to the status believers receive from God, both as a present standing and a future physical realization.
apolutrōsis · Greek Noun
The act of being bought back or released from bondage, typically through the payment of a ransom. It signifies the complete restoration of the person, including the physical resurrection and glorification of the body.
elpis · Greek Noun
A confident expectation and longing for future good promised by God. Unlike modern wishes, biblical hope is a firm assurance based on the character and word of God.
hypomonē · Greek Noun
Endurance, constancy, or steadfastness. It refers to the character trait of remaining patient and faithful while waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled, especially under trial.
Paul's powerful imagery of creation groaning in 'pains of childbirth' speaks to a world burdened by sin and decay since the fall. This isn't just abstract theology; it's a reflection of the very real suffering and disorder that humanity and the entire natural world have experienced since Adam's disobedience, a condition that believers, even with the 'firstfruits' of the Spirit, still keenly feel.
c. 1400 BC
Israel Enters the Promised Land
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites, after 40 years in the wilderness, crossed the Jordan River to begin their conquest and settlement of Canaan. This event marked a pivotal moment in their history, establishing their national identity and relationship with God in a specific territory.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its citizens. This event led to the loss of the ten northern tribes and a significant disruption of Israel's national and religious life.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar II, destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining Judeans. This catastrophe marked the end of the Davidic monarchy and a profound crisis for Jewish identity and worship.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, Cyrus the Great issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marked the beginning of the post-exilic period, with a renewed, albeit smaller, community.
c. 167-164 BC
Maccabean Revolt
The Maccabean Revolt erupted against the Seleucid Empire's attempt to Hellenize Judea and suppress Jewish religious practices. The successful revolt led to a period of Jewish independence under the Hasmonean dynasty.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The central events of Christianity: Jesus of Nazareth was crucified and, according to Christian belief, resurrected from the dead. This event forms the theological foundation of the Christian faith.
c. AD 50-60— this verse
Paul's Ministry and Epistles
The Apostle Paul conducted missionary journeys, establishing churches throughout the Roman Empire and writing epistles to guide and encourage these communities. His writings, including Romans, address theological issues and practical Christian living.
This passage describes the immediate consequence of humanity's sin on the natural world, introducing the 'curse' that leads to thorns and thistles and toil, directly aligning with the 'groaning' and 'pain' of creation mentioned in Romans.
Psalm 96:11-12This psalm poetically depicts the natural world's joyful response to God's coming rule, echoing the idea of creation's anticipation, albeit with a focus on joy rather than present pain as in Romans 8:22.
Isaiah 11:6-9This prophecy presents a future vision of restored harmony in creation, where even dangerous animals live peacefully, illustrating the ultimate 'deliverance' and 'glorious liberty' that creation yearns for.
John 16:20-22Jesus uses the analogy of a woman in labor pains to describe the disciples' sorrow, which will be followed by joy, a powerful parallel to the 'groaning' and 'travailing' of creation leading to its ultimate delivery.
2 Peter 3:13This verse speaks of the future promise of 'new heavens and a new earth,' which is the ultimate hope for creation's redemption and the culmination of the groaning described in Romans.
meyerRomans 8:22: "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."
Romans 8:22 . Proof, not of the ἀποκαραδοκία τῆς κτίσεως (Philippi), which is much too distant , and whose goal remains quite unnoticed here; nor yet of the δουλεία τῆς φθορᾶς (Zahn), which was not the point of the foregoing thought at all; but of what was announced by ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι , ὅτι κ . ἀ . ἡ κτ . ἐλευθρωθήσεται κ . τ . λ . For if that hope of glorious deliverance had not been left to it, a…
bensonRomans 8:22: "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."
Romans 8:22 . For we know that the whole creation — Ever since the first apostacy of our nature from God; groaneth — Suffers a variety of miseries; and travaileth — Συνωδινει , literally, is in the pains of childbirth, to be delivered from the burden of the curse; until now — To this very hour, and so on to the time of deliverance. “According to some commentators, the words πασα η κτισις denot…
The word "together" is crucial here, emphasizing that creation's groaning isn't a solitary cry but a shared, unified experience. This profound image highlights that the entire created order, animate and inanimate, participates in this suffering, reflecting a cosmic solidarity in its longing for redemption.
Paul is explaining that the groaning believers experience isn't isolated; it's part of a universal suffering that began when humanity fell and corrupted God's creation. This deep, aching sense of incompleteness is shared by the entire created order, waiting for its ultimate redemption.
Paul is explaining that the groaning believers experience isn't isolated; it's part of a universal suffering that began when humanity fell and corrupted God's creation. This deep, aching sense of incompleteness is shared by the entire created order, waiting for its ultimate redemption.
"For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as son…" — The word "together" is crucial here, emphasizing that creation's groaning isn't a solitary cry but a shared, unified experience. This profound image highlights that the entire created order, animate…
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Last reviewed October 2026
