Romans 8:22 says, “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” This verse paints a picture of all creation groaning and suffering like a woman enduring intense labor pains before giving birth. But what exactly does this mean?
To understand this verse, we need to look at the context of Romans chapter 8. The overall theme of this chapter is the future glory that believers in Christ will experience. Paul writes about how those who are in Christ have been adopted as God’s children and are heirs with Christ (Romans 8:14-17). Though we suffer in this present world, we have the hope and assurance that we will share in Christ’s glory in the world to come (Romans 8:18-21).
This brings us to verse 22. Paul personifies all of creation as groaning together in labor pains. The image depicts the suffering and decay that exists in the world now as it awaits the glorious freedom that will come when God’s children are revealed. Just as a woman endures intense labor pains before the joy of childbirth, creation is enduring present sufferings before the joyful day when believers will experience their full adoption as God’s children. On that day, creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of God’s children (Romans 8:21).
Why does creation groan and suffer? Because it has been subjected to frustration and decay as a result of humanity’s fall into sin (Genesis 3:17-19, Romans 8:20-21). All of the natural world is tainted by the effects of sin and death. There is pain, disease, natural disasters, and the constant cycle of growth and decay. Creation is not as God intended it to be.
So all of creation anxiously longs for the day when sin and death will be no more, when God’s children will be revealed in their glory. It is like creation is crying out, waiting expectantly for the glorious freedom of the children of God so that it too can be liberated from its groaning pain. Just as a woman endures pain while awaiting the birth of her baby, creation endures suffering, awaiting the day believers receive their full adoption.
This powerful metaphor contains great hope for believers. We can endure present sufferings with patience and endurance, knowing that amazing glory is coming for us and for all creation. The pain we experience now cannot compare to the joy that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). And creation itself eagerly awaits this coming day of freedom and redemption.
The takeaway is this: Present suffering is a reality, but we can take heart because it is not meaningless. Our present groaning is like labor pains preceding the joy of new life. For creation and for the children of God, a day of freedom and glory is coming that will make all the present struggles worth it. This truth should give us tremendous hope as we aim to faithfully walk with Christ now in the midst of a fallen, groaning world.
1. The current state of creation
To comprehend the meaning of Romans 8:22, we first need to understand the current state of creation according to the Bible. When God originally created the world, everything was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). The world was untainted by sin, death, and decay. God and humanity lived in perfect harmony with one another and creation.
But this all changed when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). When humanity rebelled against God, all of creation was impacted. God cursed the ground because of man’s sin, bringing thorns and thistles into creation (Genesis 3:17-18). Humanity’s relationship with the natural world was disrupted. Paul summarizes it this way in Romans 8:20-21:
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 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.
Sin disrupted the natural order. Creation was subjected to futility, corruption, and bondage. Creation is no longer pristine like in Eden. It is under the curse of humanity’s sin. Disease, natural disasters, predation, and death entered the world, disrupting God’s original “very good” design. All of creation is tainted by the effects of the Fall.
2. Creation presently groans
This leads us to Paul’s statement in Romans 8:22: “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” Creation is personified as groaning in labor pains. The present suffering and corruption of creation is pictured vividly as the groans and pains of childbirth.
Just as a woman suffers intense pains while birthing a child, creation is enduring intense pains and groanings. The difference is a woman endures labor pains in anticipation of the joy of giving birth. She knows agony will turn to ecstasy. Creation’s groaning is different. It is enduring the continual sufferings of living under the curse of sin and decay, without any hope of escape in the present (Romans 8:20).
Examples of creation’s groaning are apparent all around us. Animals live in fear of predators and death. Natural disasters like fires, floods, and earthquakes bring destruction and ruin. Disease and pestilence damage lives and food sources. Sin has introduced pain, suffering, violence, and death into God’s good world.
Nature is in disharmony with itself. Things are not the way they are supposed to be. The world is broken and warped by sin. This indeed is tragic, frightening, and heartbreaking. Creation has been groaning under the weight of sin since humanity’s rebellion against God in the Garden.
3. The coming hope of new life
Yet there is hope nestled within the groans of creation. Romans 8:22 says creation groans as in the pains of childbirth. There is an anticipation of coming new life even amidst the groaning.
Paul ties the hope of creation’s future directly to the revelation of the children of God in glory on resurrection day (Romans 8:19, 23). When believers in Christ are raised to immortality, creation itself will experience renewal and liberation from the curse (Romans 8:21). Sin, satan, and death itself will be defeated.
As John MacArthur explains, “The whole world feels the birth pangs as it awaits its renewal. The entire universe will have its rebirth when Christ returns.” Just as labor pains lead to new life, creation’s present groans will lead to a new world free from the curse of sin.
The connection between humanity’s future resurrection and the restoration of all creation shows that God cares deeply for the natural world he created. His redemptive purpose encompasses not just individual souls, but the entire cosmos. Fallen humanity’s relationship with nature will be renewed and restored in harmony.
In the new creation, there will be no more curse, violence, death, or pain (Revelation 21:1-5, 22:3). The world will be restored to God’s original “very good” design before sin distorted everything. Believers can eagerly anticipate this coming day of restoration and freedom not just for themselves, but for all of God’s creation.
4. Present groaning and future glory
Pulling this all together, the groaning of creation vividly depicts the suffering and pain of living in a fallen world tainted by sin, while also pointing forward to the hope of future deliverance. For believers in Christ, we can endure present groaning knowing our pain is like labor pains preceding coming glory.
Paul makes this point explicit in Romans 8:18: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” As we walk with Christ, we will experience sufferings in this fallen age. But these present pains cannot remotely compare with the infinitely greater weight of glory to come for those who follow Jesus.
We presently groan inwardly as we eagerly await resurrection life in immortal bodies free forever from the presence of sin (Romans 8:23-25). Even the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in our weakness with groanings too deep for words as we long for the day of redemption (Romans 8:26-27).
Like giving birth, getting from the groaning agonies of the present fallen world to the glory of resurrection and new creation will be hard. But the coming joy will make every struggle more than worthwhile. This truth gives hope to believers as we navigate a groaning world. The pains and problems we experience now are preparing us for coming glory.
5. Longing for renewal and redemption
The groaning of creation is a reminder that this world is not how it is supposed to be. When we see and experience the damage sin has done to lives and to the world at large, we should feel a sense of grief and longing for things to be made right. We should ache for the day when God will undo every effect of the curse.
As 2 Peter 3:13 (ESV) says, “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” Followers of Christ can feel hopeful as we wait expectantly for the renewal of all things. The day is coming when God will wipe every tear, remove all pain, reverse every consequence of sin, and make everything new.
The groaning of creation highlights our need for rescue and redemption. Thankfully, we can look forward to the return of Christ when all groaning will turn to joy as believers and creation together experience the glorious freedom of the children of God forever.
6. Implications for how we live
Realizing that all creation groans as a result of humanity’s fall into sin has several implications for how we should live as believers:
- We should treat God’s creation with respect and care, rather than exploit it for selfish gain. Our stewardship of the environment and resources should reflect that we value what God has made.
- We should be motivated to spread the Gospel, knowing that Christ’s redemptive work will eventually bring restoration and renewal to the natural world damaged by sin.
- We should avoid despair, knowing that present groaning will one day be replaced by freedom and glory. The curse will not last forever.
- We should look forward to the second coming of Christ which will liberate creation from its groaning as we experience resurrection life.
- We should live holy lives that reflect our status as God’s redeemed children and do not add to the world’s brokenness.
Overall, properly understanding the fate of the natural world and its connection to humanity should give us an eternal perspective that shapes how we live now as followers of Jesus.
7. Waiting with hope-filled patience
In summary, the groaning of creation highlights the immense impacts of sin while also looking forward to the hope of redemption. NRSV translates the end of Romans 8:22 as follows: “We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.”
As believers who have God’s Spirit within us, we wait with hope-filled patience for the fullness of adoption and resurrection life. We can endure the groaning world around us and our own sufferings with joy, knowing our present struggles as God’s children are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us.
The redemption we have through Christ not only impact us, but the entire cosmos. Followers of Jesus can look forward to the day when God’s creation will be released from its bondage and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. Although we presently groan, we know brighter days are coming by God’s grace when all creation will experience renewal.
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!