GOD'S CREATURES

Romans 8:19-23 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Looking to biblical scholars for knowledgeable insight into the lesson text it seems to be unanimous that there is no common agreement. Although closely allied in overall meaning, common agreement on specific word translations and meanings are numerous. Disagreement lays predominately in the meaning of the word translated "creature" in verses 19, 20, and 21, and the use of "creation" in verse 22. The root word ktisis is translated, in the KJV, as both creature and creation, while in the NKJV both are translated creation. Whether the word translated is creature or creation doesn't seem to be the area of disagreement, but rather the meaning of the word. In his commentary, Adam Clarke tells us some of the many different meanings attached to the word by various students of the bible. He says, "Some think that by it the brute creation is meant; others apply it to the Jewish people; others to the godly; others to the Gentiles; others to the good angels; and others to the fallen spirits, both angelic and human. Dissertations without end have been written on it; and it does not appear that the Christian world has come to any general agreement on the subject." Regardless of the lack of consensus, numerous lessons are found in this text.

Whether it is one creature, or God's entire creation, referred to in verse 19, we know that it refers to mankind, rather than other animal or plant life. Why? It is because this passage refers only to those capable of mental reasoning. Although there are many opinions regarding this text, it seems that the difference between the two words, creature and creation, is only in number. God's creation is made up of every creature,andeach creature is included in God's creation. Paul wrote to the church at Colosse that the gospel, which ye have heard, ...was preached to every creature, which is under heaven (Col. 1:23). Also, notice how Christ gave the "Great Commission" to His apostles, as recorded by Matthew: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matt. 21:19). Here, all nations refer to the entirety of God's humancreation - all people of the world. Yet, Mark records the same "Great Commission" in this manner: And He (Jesus Christ) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (Mark. 16:15-16). Here God's creation means the people that inhabit all the world, but are referred to individually as every creature.

The creature and creation, referred to in the lesson text, are further identified as those being God's children - those that are heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ (Vs. 17) - those in whom the spirit of God dwells (Vs. 9) - those that reside in the body of Christ, meaning those that have been baptized into His body, the church of Christ (Vs. 10). These creatures - these within God's creation - are the ones, and the only ones, that have the hope of salvation. Verse 19 refers to these as having the earnest expectation of inheriting eternal life in heaven as joint-heirs with Christ,at the timewhen God's will is fully manifested on His chosen Day of Judgment. Although every Christian is subjected to the vanities of the world, hope still remains that they will be delivered from the bondage of (worldly) corruption, and will become liberated children of God (Vss. 20-21).

The bondage of sin is an extremely heavy load for the whole creation, that is, all mankind, to bear. It is made evident by the groaning and travail caused by the burdens of life. And not only they (unsaved sinners of the world) groan under these heavy burdens, but ourselves also, ...the first fruits of the Spirit (those baptized into the body of Christ - heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ), also groan within ourselves. What each of God's creatures - each of His adopted children that make up the body of Christ, enjoy that is not available to the rest of the world, is the redemption of our body - resurrection of the soul of God's children, that inherit eternal salvation in heaven. For this all of God's creatures are thankful.