The Scope of Redemption

In yesterday’s study, we briefly noted that God’s plan of redemption is more encompassing than the salvation of His people. In today’s passage, Paul begins to show us this bigger picture.

The apostle begins this passage with a curious statement in verse 19: “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” Paul is personifying the physical universe, saying that if it were possible for animals, plants, and inanimate things to experience emotions and desires, they would be longing for the day when God will bestow glory on His people. Why? To answer that question, we must return to the earliest Biblical history—and Paul does just that in verse 20, saying, “the creation was subjected to futility.” He is referring to the events recorded in Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and brought God’s judgment upon themselves and their posterity. But human beings were not alone in judgment; creation, too, was condemned. God said to Adam, “ ‘Cursed is the ground because of you’ ” (Gen. 3:17, NIV). Dr. James M. Boice writes: “Nature had not sinned; Adam had. But nature was subjected to a downgrading because of him and thus entered into his judgment.” This is why Paul writes that creation was subjected “not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it.” In other words, creation did not willingly rebel against God as man did; it was placed under divine curse as part of the punishment of the human race. Under God’s judgment, creation began to experience “the bondage of corruption” (or “decay,” specifically death) and “futility” (or “frustration,” the feeling that results from bondage).

Yet creation was subjected to this judgment “in hope,” Paul adds. God’s very words of judgment against the Serpent, Eve, and Adam in Genesis 3 contained a prophetic announcement of future mercy (the “Seed” of the woman). The extension of that mercy eventually will include the renewal of creation, the lifting of the curse on the universe. Thus, when the day finally arrives for God to close history and completely glorify His people, Paul writes, “Creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Like God’s people, creation at last will be liberated from sin and its effects.