Romans 8:18-21, Future Glory Part III

Verses 20 and 21 then explain about creation:

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. Adam’s sin meant not only that he and Eve were expelled from the garden, but that the earth itself would produce thorns and thistles.

Genesis 1 and 2 describe the launching of a project, not a static state of affairs. Creation was supposed to be the start of something even greater that would happen through God’s image-bearers. Their rebellion meant that the project was thwarted. It suffered from frustration and futility. Without wise, obedient humans to guide it, creation went nowhere. When Paul says “not of its own volition,” he rules out any Platonic notion that the created order is by its own very nature futile and corrupt. Rather, God the creator has ordered it this way because his creation was designed to flourish under the authority of genuine God-reflecting humans, and until such are found it will stay frustrated.

Then in verse 21, Paul declares that creation will be set free from its slavery to decay; and this will happen when the Messiah’s people are glorified, raised from the dead and thereby given their always-intended authority over the world. This is the glory that will be revealed upon us in verse 18. This is the revelation of God’s children from verse 19. Verse 21 then means, “Creation will enjoy the freedom that comes when God’s children are glorified. The final new creation, with us playing our glorious part, will be so spectacular that no present suffering can weigh against it.