Romans 8:18
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.
Romans 8:18 (KJV)
Context
In Romans 8, Paul describes the assurance believers have through the Holy Spirit. He has just explained that those who are led by the Spirit are children and heirs of God. This verse follows his statement that believers are heirs with Christ, provided they suffer with Him so that they may also be glorified with Him. Paul now offers a reasoned conclusion about the relationship between that present suffering and the glory yet to come.
Meaning
Paul begins with the phrase “For I reckon,” which signals a deliberate, reasoned judgment rather than a passing emotion. The Greek word behind “reckon” (logizomai) means to calculate or take into account. Paul, writing from his own experience of hardship, is making a measured comparison between two realities: the sufferings of this present time and the glory that will be revealed in believers.
The sufferings Paul refers to are real and varied. They include persecution, trials, hardships, and the general effects of living in a fallen world. These can be physical, emotional, or spiritual. Paul does not dismiss them as trivial. Instead, he places them in a larger framework, insisting that they are temporary and cannot be weighed against the glory that awaits.
That future glory is the complete fulfilment of God’s promises: eternal life in God’s presence, the full restoration of creation, and the perfection of the believer. It will be fully realised when Christ returns and establishes His kingdom. Paul’s point is not that suffering is easy, but that it is not worthy to be compared with what God will reveal.
Biblical connections
This verse directly addresses the suffering that believers endure as part of their union with Christ, following the condition stated in Romans 8:17. The glory to be revealed is not something believers achieve but something God reveals in them, indicating that it is His work. This same chapter shows creation itself groaning for redemption (Romans 8:19-22) and assures believers that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). The present reality of being God’s children (Romans 8:16) is the seed form of that glory, which awaits full consummation.
Application
Romans 8:18 calls believers to maintain an eternal perspective when facing present hardship. Present difficulties should not overshadow the hope that is in Christ. By focusing on the future glory and the promises of God, believers can find strength and encouragement to persevere. This verse also invites a practical calculation: measure current circumstances against the eternal reward that awaits those who follow Christ.
Believers are encouraged to view temporary trials in light of the eternal promises of God.
Reflection
The verse does not minimise suffering but recontextualises it within the certainty of future glory. It is a call to faith, to trust that God’s promises are more real and more weighty than present circumstances. The glory to be revealed is not only a future hope but also a present reality in seed form, since believers are already children of God, yet it awaits full consummation. This verse is a foundation for Christian endurance and hope, reminding believers that present trials are not the final word.
