8:18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to
be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us.
8:19. For the expectation of the creature waiteth for the revelation of
the sons of God.
The expectation of the creature, etc. . .He speaks of the corporeal
creation, made for the use and service of man; and, by occasion of his
sin, made subject to vanity, that is, to a perpetual instability,
tending to corruption and other defects; so that by a figure of speech
it is here said to groan and be in labour, and to long for its
deliverance, which is then to come, when sin shall reign no more; and
God shall raise the bodies and unite them to their souls never more to
separate, and to be in everlasting happiness in heaven.
8:20. For the creature was made subject to vanity: not willingly, but
by reason of him that made it subject, in hope.
8:21. Because the creature also itself shall be delivered from the
servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the glory of the children
of God.
8:22. For we know that every creature groaneth and travaileth in pain,
even till now.
8:23. And not only it, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of
the Spirit: even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the
adoption of the sons of God, the redemption of our body.
8:24. For we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen is not hope. For
what a man seeth, why doth he hope for?
8:25. But if we hope for that which we see not, we wait for it with
patience.
8:26. Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity. For, we know not
what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit himself asketh for
us with unspeakable groanings,
Asketh for us. . .The Spirit is said to ask, and desire for the saints,
and to pray in us; inasmuch as he inspireth prayer, and teacheth us to
pray.
8:27. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what the Spirit
desireth: because he asketh for the saints according to God.
8:28. And we know that to them that love God all things work together
unto good: to such as, according to his purpose, are called to be
saints.
8:29. For whom he foreknew, he also predestinated to be made
conformable to the image of his Son: that he might be the Firstborn
amongst many brethren.
He also predestinated, etc. . .That is, God hath preordained that all
his elect should be conformable to the image of his Son. We must not
here offer to pry into the secrets of God's eternal election; only
firmly believe that all our good, in time and eternity, flows
originally from God's free goodness; and all our evil from man's free
will.
8:30. And whom he predestinated, them he also called. And whom he
called, them he also justified. And whom he justified, them he also
glorified.
8:31. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who is
against us?
8:32. He that spared not even his own Son, but delivered him up for us
all, how hath he not also, with him, given us all things?
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