The whole creation groaning and travailing means creation is suffering under the curse of sin and is waiting for the day it will be delivered from that curse.
Because of Adam's sin, the curse fell on everything—animate and inanimate (Clip 5). So the whole creation has been under bondage to corruption, under constant duress, and has travailed in pain together until now (Clip 1; Romans 8:22). Yet God made a plan of redemption, and creation eagerly waits for the day it will be delivered into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Clip 6; Romans 8:21).
Romans 8:22 — This verse explicitly states that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now, which is the heart of the question.
Romans 8:20-21 — These verses explain why creation groans: it was made subject to vanity under the curse, and it will be delivered from bondage into glorious liberty.
In Romans 8:19-23, Paul describes present creation as waiting with earnest expectation for the manifestation of the sons of God. The creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who subjected the same in hope. Verse 21 promises that the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Verse 22 says, "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." Verse 23 adds that believers who have the firstfruits of the Spirit also groan within themselves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of the body.
Les teaches that the whole creation—rocks, rivers, trees, birds, fish, animals, and believers—is looking forward to the day the curse will be lifted. He notes that while the KJV uses the word "creature," the marginals show a better word is "creation" (Clip 0). Creation groans because it is under the curse that fell when Adam sinned, and it is under constant duress, always searching for food and trying to protect itself from becoming food (Clips 1, 5). God immediately promised a Redeemer after the curse fell and made a plan of redemption to bring back everything that was lost (Clips 6, 7). Les says the tribulation will pay off the curse, and the world will be delivered from it (Clip 5). The creation will be delivered when Christ rules as King of kings and believers rule and reign with Him in dominion over the new creation (Clip 3). Believers themselves also groan, having the firstfruits of the Spirit, waiting for the adoption—the redemption of the body—which will complete our salvation (Clips 2, 4).
Romans 8:20 says the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly. Les explains that the moment Adam sinned, the curse fell and everything came under it—inanimate and animate, the birds, the fish, everything. It is the curse that causes deserts and the terrible conditions of the present world.
Romans 8:21 says the creation itself will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Les says this happens when Christ rules as King of kings and believers rule and reign with Him. He also states that the tribulation will pay off the curse and the world will be delivered from it.
Yes. Romans 8:23 says believers who have the firstfruits of the Spirit also groan within themselves, waiting for the adoption—the redemption of the body. Les says that when this great transaction happens, believers will be ushered into the glorious rule and reign with Christ, and that will complete our redemption.
Les says "whole creation" includes the rocks, the rivers, the trees, the birds, the fish, the animals, as well as believers. He describes animals like a little cottontail being under constant duress, searching for food and trying to avoid becoming food—that is what it means to travail in pain together until now.
Creation Waits for the Manifestation of God's Children
Paul's word "creature" is better translated "creation," and the creation eagerly waits for believers to be put in the spotlight when we enter Christ's kingdom reign.
The Whole Creation Groans Under the Curse
Creation includes rocks, rivers, trees, birds, fish, and animals, and they are all under constant duress, travailing in pain together under the curse.
Believers Also Groan for the Redemption of the Body
Believers, though saved and having the Spirit, still groan because we have not yet received the redemption of our body, which completes our salvation.
Creation Delivered When Christ Rules
Creation is waiting for the day Christ rules as King of kings and believers rule and reign with Him, bringing the creation out from under the curse.
Believers Await the Adoption and Reign
Not only creation, but believers also groan waiting for the adoption, the redemption of the body, which will usher us into the glorious rule and reign.
The Curse Fell on All Creation at Adam's Sin
When Adam sinned, the curse fell on everything—animate and inanimate—and the tribulation will pay off the curse so the world can be delivered.
God Gave Hope Right After the Curse
Creation was made subject to the curse not willingly, and when the curse fell God immediately promised a Redeemer, beginning His plan of redemption.
God's Redemption Plan Will Restore Creation
When God dropped the curse on the planet, He immediately made a plan to redeem everything He lost, including delivering creation from bondage into glorious liberty.
Romans 8:19: For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
This shows creation is actively waiting for the revealing of God's children.
Romans 8:20: For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Creation did not choose its suffering; it was subjected to vanity because of the curse, but in hope.
Romans 8:21: Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
This is the promised deliverance that creation is waiting for.
Romans 8:22: For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
This verse directly answers the question: all creation is groaning and travailing under the curse.
Romans 8:23: 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.
Believers also groan, waiting for the completion of redemption in the body.
Genesis 3:15: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Les refers to this as God's immediate promise of a Redeemer after the curse fell, giving creation hope.
Yes. Les says "whole creation" includes the rocks, the rivers, the trees, the birds, the fish, the animals, as well as believers. When Adam sinned, the curse fell on everything—inanimate and animate.
Creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but because of the curse that fell when Adam sinned. Les teaches that all of nature came under the awful effect of the curse, and it groans while waiting for deliverance.
The creation is waiting for the manifestation of the children of God and for the day when it will be delivered from the curse into the glorious liberty of God's children. Les says this will happen when Christ rules and believers reign with Him.
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