TEACHING NOTES Introduction Paul’s letter to the Romans is one of the most popular books of the Bible. The eighth chapter of Romans contains some of the best news for those of us who have trusted in Christ. So far in this series we have learned: (1) There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (2) we have been set free for sin and death, and (3) we have been adopted by God. Today, we continue the Good News by learning how to think about our present suffering. ‌ The Context of Romans: Sometime between AD 41-53, all of the Jews had previously been expelled from Rome for almost a year and had recently been allowed to come back when Paul wrote Romans. At that time Rome did not see Christianity as a separate religion from Judaism, but as two groups worshiping the same Creator God. Therefore, even Christian Jews were exiled from Rome. Luke mentions this exile from Rome in Acts 18:1-2. The Roman church began as a group of Jewish Christians, but when they were exiled from Rome the church became a Gentile church. When the Jewish Christians returned to Rome, problems arose between the Jewish and Gentile Christians. The main problem is that the Gentile Christians were not following the Torah laws (circumcision, Sabbath, holidays, diet), which made the Jewish Christians uncomfortable. Paul’s letter to the Romans is addressing a church that had been experiencing division between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Paul’s purpose is to explain how Jesus fulfilled the Torah and that Jewish and Gentile Christians must practice unity in the church. Paul also wants to teach the Jewish Christians that the Torah has been fulfilled in Christ. He refers to Jews that continue to follow the Torah laws as “the weak,” because they felt that they needed the Torah laws to be a good Christian. Paul refers to Gentile believers as “the strong” because they do not need the Torah laws, but have been boasting about their freedom from the Torah laws to the Jewish believers. Paul wants both of these groups to understand that they are both wrong in how they are treating each other. This is the main problem that Romans is addressing. ‌ Romans 8:18 ESV 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ‌ I consider = Grk. logizomai - to ponder, to keep mental record, to remember. This could be translated, “I continually remind myself...” ‌ Sufferings = Grk. pathemata - misfortune, whether inward or outward. ‌ This present time = Grk. tou nyn kairou - this current era, of right now. In Paul’s “present time” the church is Rome had been dealing with persecution. The Jewish believers had been exiled from Rome and recently allowed to return. Gentile believers were losing their jobs because they refused to worship the Roman gods. Later (AD 64), the emperor Nero would brutally persecute the Christians in Rome. ‌ Not worth comparing = Grk. ouk axia pros - not deserving of equal status. Paul is saying that our present suffering is worthy of the same attention that we should give to God’s plan for us. ‌ The glory to be revealed to us = “Glory” (Grk. doxa) literally means “splendor, brightness, radiance” but is often used as a metaphor for honor or transcendence. Just as Jesus was glorified and given the highest place of honor at the right hand of God’s throne, so also we will be glorified and given honor in God’s presence. However, we must remember that Jesus suffered before He was glorified. Paul wants us to understand that we suffer for Christ now, but we will be glorified with Christ in the end. ‌ What is our present suffering? Some are still recovering from the recent hurricane. Others are dealing with the closing of our local mill. Still others may be dealing with a medical issue. No matter the form of our suffering, this passage is still true. Our present suffering is difficult, but it is never eternal. Suffering is temporary, no matter the outcome. ‌ Prayer Exercise: Make a list of your worries and struggles and put the day’s date at the top. In prayer, read that list to God and be honest about how you feel. Then hold that list up toward heaven and say, “Father I believe that you care about my life. I believe that you are actively working for my good. I cast my cares on you.” The next day, make a new list with the date and repeat the process. After a week or two, look back at these lists and think about how God is answering your prayers. Then thank Him for all that He has done. ‌ Romans 8:19–21 ESV 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ‌ The revealing of the sons of God = The first “son of God” was Adam, who sinned and subjected creation to the consequences of sin. Had Adam not sinned, everyone would have been considered children of God as Adam and Eve were “fruitful and multiplied.” But as the Old Testament progresses, people get further and further away from God and ruled by sin. However, another Son of God came and “be fruitful and multiply.” ‌ The creation was subjected to futility = “Futility” (Grk. mataioteti) refers to ineffectiveness or decay. Paul is referring back to Gen. 3:17 when Adam sinned and the ground (earth) was cursed. The curse is that the ground would not produce like it did in Eden. One of the consequences of sin is that the creation in unable to do or be what was originally intended. ‌ Him who subjected it, in hope = When Adam sinned, God subjected the creation to the consequences of sin. In Gen. 3:17, God told Adam that the ground (earth) is now cursed because of sin. The earth would not produce easily as it did in the Garden of Eden. God’s “hope” or "expectation” is that the consequences of sin, or suffering of sin, will lead us to desire His goodness and grace. The purpose of the curse was NOT punishment, but was meant to drive us back to God. ‌ Creation will be set free = God’s hope or plan for creation is to be set free from its bondage to corruption (decay). In “this present time” creation is in a state of corruption and decay. Everything in this current creation and everyone living in this creation is dying. Even the stars in the universe are dying. But God’s plan is to make a new creation—a new heavens and new earth. In Revelation 21-22, John sees a vision of a renewed heavens and earth. The current creation will be “set free” from decay and renewed to a perfect and eternal state. In other words, the end will be what was intended in the beginning. ‌ Obtain the freedom of the children of God = Notice that God’s plan for creation is connected to His children. The first son of God (Adam) failed, but the Son of God (Jesus) has recreated a new family of God. God makes His family a new creation first (2 Cor. 5:17) and then He will make a new creation for His new family to live. ‌ Romans 8:22–23 ESV 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 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. ‌ The whole creation groans together = Not only are humans suffering, but the earth itself groans. Paul may be using this “groaning” to refer to tragic events in nature (like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, violent storms, etc.). These tragic events in nature also cause suffering for humans, which is why Paul says that we are “groaning together” with creation. Paul will continue this “groaning” language in Rom. 8:26, where the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. ‌ Pains of childbirth = Paul uses the process of childbirth to illustrate God’s process of creating a new family. Paul gets this illustration from Jesus, who used childbirth as an analogy for His mission (John 16:21-22). In childbirth, water and blood flow from the body as the child is born. On the cross, water and blood flowed from Jesus’ body as He “gave birth” to God’s new family (John 19:34). ‌ Firstfruits of the Spirit = The apostles were the first to receive the Holy Spirit. In this way, they were the “firstfruits of the Spirit.” But every piece of fruit has a seed that reproduces itself. The apostles spread the Gospel and planted the seeds of the Spirit, which was fruitful and multiplied. ‌ Adoption as sons = Referring back to Rom. 8:14-17. In that culture, only the sons received an inheritance. But in God’s family, every believer (male and female) are equal heirs of God. Everyone in Christ is given the inheritance of Christ, which is the kingdom of God. ‌ The redemption of our bodies = The redemption of our bodies is the solution to the problem Paul presented in Rom. 7:24. In Romans 7, Paul describes how our current bodies are enslaved to the law of sin and death. It is only Jesus who saves us from sin and death and will resurrect us into an incorruptible body. Our resurrected bodies will not be subject to sin, sickness, or death. ‌ Romans 8:24–25 ESV 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. ‌ In this hope we were saved = Paul is referring back to God’s hope in v. 20, where God subjected to the world to futility in order to lead us to salvation and redeem us to a resurrected body for a new creation. God’s purpose is to have eternal humans who live forever in His presence. The whole point of the Bible is that God wants to be with us forever. ‌ Hope that is seen is not hope = Literally speaking, we don’t hope for something we already have, but for something we do not yet have. Although we have been saved from sin and death, our salvation is not yet finished. We still hope for the return of Christ, our resurrection, and the new creation. ‌ We wait with patience = While we wait for our salvation to be completed, we trust that God will keep His promise. While we wait, we continue is faithfulness as seen in Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” While we wait, we live in faith, which means to stay faithful to Jesus. ‌ Alternative translations of Heb. 11:1 would be, “Faithfulness is the realization of what we hope for, the proof of things unseen.” “Faithfulness makes our hope real, and is the evidence of things unseen.” “Faithfulness is the action of our hope, the evidence of the unseen.” ‌ 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. ‌ Conclusion Today we can trust in God’s promises, even in hard times. The truth of God’s Word is all we have to hold on to. Therefore, we respond with repentance, worship, and Communion. We take time to pray for ourselves and for those who are suffering. ‌