Romans 8:20 – Imperishable Expectation
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;
Truth to Learn
We live within perishable bodies in a dying and decaying world, but some day God will make all things imperishable.
Behind the Words
The word translated “subjected” is the Greek word hupotassō, which we have looked at before. It is a military term meaning to place in order (or rank) under another. It is often translated as “submit.”
“Futility” is translated from the Greek word mataiotēs, which is a form of mataios, meaning “without purpose, fruitless, aimless or empty.” It refers to “labor which is done with no purpose in mind” or, as is probably the meaning that Paul intended here, “a perishable and decaying condition.”
The word translated “willingly” is hekōn, which means “voluntarily, willingly, or without coercion.”
“Hope” is another word which we looked at back in chapter five. It comes from the Greek word elpis, which means “hope” or “anticipation.” In English when we think of “hope,” we think of desiring something but not really expecting it to happen, or at best, thinking that there is a chance of it happening. This Greek word, however, means, “the desire of something with the expectation that it will happen.” It is more than just simple hope, it is expectant hope. For this reason, this word is often translated as “faith.”
Meaning Explained
When Paul says that creation was “not willingly subjected to futility” he is saying that it was placed in a state or condition where it is perishable and decaying, and that this condition was imposed on creation; it wasn’t voluntary. The subjection of all creation to a state of perishableness and continual decay was imposed by the only one who could impose it: God. This very likely is referring to the curse that God placed on the ground when Adam and Eve sinned:
Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. (Genesis 3:17-18)
This subjection of all of creation as a result of Adam’s sin was done by God with the promise that someday there would be a Redeemer who would conquer death and sin and who would restore all of creation to its former condition. I believe that is what Paul is referring to in the second half of this verse.
Paul will continue this thought in the next verse.
Application
The beauty of this verse is the promise of hope. No matter what happens to us, we always have the hope of God’s eventual triumph over evil, and we will share in that triumph with Him! And, even though we now exist in a perishable body in a dying and decaying world, we have expectant hope that God will honor his faithful children with a glorious body and a glorious creation, neither of which will ever decay or perish again.
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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