^8:18For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared²³ to the glory that will be revealed to us. ^8:19For the creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the sons of God. ^8:20For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly but because of God²⁴ who subjected it—in hope ^8:21that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. ^8:22For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now. ^8:23Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,²⁵ groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption,²⁶ the redemption of our bodies.²⁷^8:24For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? ^8:25But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with endurance.²⁸

^8:26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray,²⁹ but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. ^8:27And he³⁰ who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit³¹ intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will.

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Romans 8:23: And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Footnotes

23 Grk “are not worthy [to be compared].”
24 Grk “because of the one”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
25 Or “who have the Spirit as firstfruits.” The genitive πνεύματος (pneumatos) can be understood here as possessive (“the firstfruits belonging to the Spirit”) although it is much more likely that this is a genitive of apposition (“the firstfruits, namely, the Spirit”); cf. , .
26 See the note on “adoption” in v. .
27 Grk “body.”
28 Or “perseverance.”
29 Or “for we do not know what we ought to pray for.”
30 he refers to God here; Paul has not specifically identified him for the sake of rhetorical power (for by leaving the subject slightly ambiguous, he draws his audience into seeing God’s hand in places where he is not explicitly mentioned).
31 Grk “he,” or “it”; the referent (the Spirit) has been specified in the translation for clarity.