What are believers waiting for according to Romans 8:23?
Romans 8:23 says believers who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan within themselves while waiting for the adoption. The context explains that the soul and spirit are already redeemed, but the body is the part still waiting to be consummated at the eternal state.
Les explains that Romans 8:22 describes the whole creation groaning and travailing in pain together until now. In verse 23, believers also groan within themselves, having the firstfruits of the Spirit, and are waiting for the adoption. Earlier he notes that in the eternal state believers will be body, soul, and spirit; since the soul and spirit are totally redeemed, the body is what remains to be consummated. He also previews that at death the believer is immediately in the presence of the Lord, a subject for a later program.
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
In Romans 8:23, who are 'they' and who are 'ourselves'?
In Romans 8:23, 'they' refers to the whole creation—the things of nature—groaning under the curse, while 'ourselves' refers to believers who have the firstfruits of the Spirit. Only believers can eagerly await the Lord's coming, unlike unbelievers who shrink from it.
What is the world moving toward according to Romans 8?
The world is moving toward the final moment when Christ will intervene in human history and set things straight. Romans 8 shows creation groaning under the curse, awaiting its lifting, and believers with the firstfruits of the Spirit eagerly looking forward to the Lord's coming, while unbelievers shrink from it.
What are believers who have the firstfruits of the Spirit waiting for?
Believers who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan within themselves and are waiting for the adoption. Their soul and spirit are already redeemed, but the body remains to be consummated. Creation itself groans and travails in pain until now, and believers wait for that final completion.
More Questions
What is the redemption that believers are still waiting for in Romans 8?
The redemption believers are still waiting for is the redemption of the body, not merely the salvation or redemption of the soul.
In Romans 8:23, who are 'ourselves also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit'?
In Romans 8:23, 'not only they' refers to the things of nature, while 'ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit' refers only to believers.