Romans 8:22

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

Romans 8:22 (KJV)

Context

Romans 8 focuses on life in the Spirit and the hope found in Christ. In this verse, Paul addresses the suffering and longing experienced by the entire creation, building on what he has just said about creation being subjected to futility and waiting for liberation.

Meaning

The verse begins with “For we know,” indicating that Paul is reminding believers of something they have come to understand. “The whole creation groaneth” suggests that all of creation, including the natural world, longs for something, experiencing dissatisfaction, frustration, and brokenness. The phrase “and travaileth in pain together” emphasizes the intensity and shared nature of this suffering, drawing imagery from childbirth, where labor pains are a shared experience leading to the birth of something new. This pain is not purposeless; it is like labor that precedes birth, pointing toward future transformation and redemption. The phrase “until now” implies that this groaning has been ongoing from the fall up to the present time, indicating a continuous state of longing and anticipation throughout history.

Biblical connections

This groaning of creation is not without hope. It connects to the broader biblical narrative of creation’s fall due to sin and its promised restoration. The imagery of childbirth also appears in other translations, such as the ESV, CSB, and NRSV, reinforcing the metaphor of creation’s pain as a precursor to renewal. This verse sets the stage for the subsequent verses in Romans 8, which discuss the redemption and liberation of creation through Christ.

Application

For believers, this verse assures us that the brokenness we see in the world is not the final word. Creation is groaning in anticipation of renewal, and we are part of that story. As we experience suffering and longing, we can remember that God has not abandoned the created order; He is working toward its restoration. This hope calls us to live as people who await the revealing of the children of God, participating in God’s redemptive purposes even now.

Reflection

How does knowing that all creation shares in this groaning change the way you view your own struggles? Take time to thank God that He is faithful to complete the work He has begun, and ask Him to help you live in hopeful anticipation of the day when all things will be made new.