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.
Parallel translations
- WEB Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.
- BSB Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
- NKJV Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
- NASB And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body.
- NLT And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Believers, having the Spirit's firstfruits, also groan inwardly as we await adoption and the redemption of our bodies. We long for the completion of our salvation in bodily resurrection.
Overview
Paul turns from creation's groaning to that of believers, who already possess the Spirit as a foretaste. Yet we still await the consummation of our adoption, which is the redemption of our bodies at the resurrection. This 'already and not yet' tension fuels the believer's hope and longing.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 21
- Phil 3:20–21For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
- 2 Cor 5:2–5For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
- Heb 9:28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
- Titus 2:13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
- Eph 1:14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
- Eph 4:30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
- Rom 7:24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
- Gal 5:5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
- 1 Jn 3:2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
- Rom 8:19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
- Luke 20:36Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
- Phil 1:21–23For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
- Rom 8:15–16For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
- Rom 8:25–26But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
- Luke 21:28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
- Gal 5:22–23But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
- Eph 5:9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
- 1 Pet 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
- 2 Tim 4:8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
- Rom 5:5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
- 2 Cor 7:5For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 8:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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