Board index ‹ Specific Bible verses, texts, and passages ‹ Romans

[Mel B]

Just that: What’s the meaning of Roman’s 8:20-21?

[jimwalton]

Great question. Good to hear from you again, btw.

Paul has been working his logic through Romans to show that we have all sinned and we all need to be redeemed. Jesus Christ is the only hope for redemption, and it’s available to all. It sets us free from both sin and death and brings us into a glorious relationship with God.

Chapter 8 is the top of the mountain—arguably one of the most significant passages in the whole Bible. He explains how we are free from the curse, from sin, from death, from the law, from works, and even from our sinful flesh because of Christ.

In vv. 20-21, Paul is showing us that God’s redeeming power is so strong and great that it will reach beyond humanity and include all of creation. Creation has never been all that God meant it to be, but God intends to make it that way. There will eventually be a new Heaven and new Earth (Rev. 21.1).

Meanwhile, though, the Earth is not yet complete, not yet redeemed, and not yet ideal. That’s what Paul’s talking about here. Just like people, all creation is lacking perfection. The power of sin has affected everything, but eventually God’s power will overcome it all, and all will be exactly the way it was always intended. In the meantime, creation is metaphorically groaning, just like humans, wanting so be complete.