Romans 8:18-21, Future Glory Part I

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility [enslaved to malignant powers], not willingly, but because of him [not Adam or Satan but God] who subjected it, in hope [see Genesis 3:15] ²¹ that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God [who are the firstfruits].

This is Wright’s translation of these verses:

¹⁸ This is how I work it out. The sufferings we go through in the present time are not worth putting in the scale alongside the glory that is going to be unveiled for us. ¹⁹ Yes: creation itself is on tiptoe with expectation, eagerly awaiting the moment when God’s children will be revealed. ²⁰ Creation, you see, was subjected to pointless futility, not of its own volition, but because of the one who placed it in this subjection, in the hope ²¹ that creation itself would be freed from its slavery to decay, to enjoy the freedom that comes when God’s children are glorified.

Paul announced, in verse 17, the theme of suffering and glory: And if we’re children, we are also heirs: heirs of God, and fellow heirs with the Messiah, as long as we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. He will return to suffering in verse 22 after focusing on glory. The primary meanings of “glory” in this passage are, simultaneously, the glorious presence of God himself dwelling within us by the Spirit, and the wise, healing, reconciling rule of God’s people over the whole creation. These two—God’s presence and human rule—are made for each other. “Glory”—“doxa” in Greek, “kabod” in Hebrew—signifies “dignity,” “worth,” and/or “status.” The Hebrew carries the notion of “weight,” as we might speak about the “weighty presence” of a powerful figure. The “glorification” of God’s children, however, is not about faithful Christians going to heaven. It is about creation being rescued from corruption. While verse 19 looks like a non sequitur, it is not. It is God’s children who will reveal God’s glory.

Caesar Augustus (27 BC to AD 14) solidified his imperial rule through symbolic statues. One was the Ara Pacis, the altar of peace that declared symbolically that with Augustus as emperor, there was a new era of peace, harmony, and fruitfulness—what we would call a return to Eden. The ground would bring forth all that humans could desire. The public relations campaign was: “You’ve never had it so good—and it’s all because Caesar’s heir is on the throne, bringing peace and justice to the world!” The subtext was: settle down and get used to Roman rule!

Throughout his ministry, Paul reacted against this pagan propaganda. He strategically visited key centers of Roman influence, such as Ephesus, Corinth, and Philippi. He intended to visit Spain, the western most Roman outpost. His tactic was to announce Jesus as the world’s true Lord, in places where Caesar’s lie had been established. Rome’s supposed glory was built on ruthless military conquest, often backed up by crucifixions. Rome’s rule was always as precarious as the next provincial rebellion, or the next riot over food shortages if the grain ships failed to arrive on time.

For Paul, the “nature” the Roman propaganda spoke about was not an independent peaceful matriarch. The wider world, from his biblical and Jewish perspective, was not a self-supporting “nature.” It was “creation,” the good world made by the good creator God, but now groaning in labor pains, longing to give birth to the real new age as opposed to the glossy fake one imagined by the Roman court poets and artists. The Roman dream of the present imperial utopia was built on violent military conquests. The Hebraic and Jewish vision of future glory emerged through a time of intense suffering. The early Christians believed that, led by the Spirit, this new creation was powerfully at work both in faithful human beings and through them to the wider world. Hence creation awaited their revealing.