Romans 8:18-27

Future Glory

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time _n are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for _o the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation _p was subjected to futility, not willingly, but _q because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that _r the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²² For we know that _s the whole creation _t has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³ And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have _u the firstfruits of the Spirit, _v groan inwardly as _w we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, _x the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For _y in this hope we were saved. Now _z 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 _a wait for it with patience.

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For _b we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but _c the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And _d he who searches hearts knows what is _e the mind of the Spirit, because ₁ the Spirit _f intercedes for the saints _g according to the will of God.

1. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 4:17
   For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.
   1 Peter 1:5 - 6
   Who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
   
2. Cross References
   1 Peter 4:13
   But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
   1 Peter 5:1
   So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:
   1 John 3:2
   Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
   Romans 2:7
   To those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
   
3. Cross References
   Genesis 3:18 - 19
   Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.
   Ecclesiastes 1:2
   Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
   
4. Cross References
   Genesis 3:17
   And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life.
   
5. Cross References
   Acts 3:21
   Whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
   
6. Cross References
   Mark 16:15
   And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
   
7. Cross References
   Jeremiah 12:4
   How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field wither? For the evil of those who dwell in it the beasts and the birds are swept away, because they said, "He will not see our latter end.
   Jeremiah 12:11
   They have made it a desolation; desolate, it mourns to me. The whole land is made desolate, but no man lays it to heart.
   
8. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 5:5
   He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
   James 1:18
   Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
   
9. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 5:2
   For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling.
   2 Corinthians 5:4
   For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened - not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
   
10. Cross References
    Romans 8:19
    For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
    Romans 8:25
    But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
    Isaiah 25:9
    It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord ; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
    Galatians 5:5
    For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.
    
11. Cross References
    Romans 7:24
    Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
    Luke 21:28
    Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
    
12. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 1:3
    Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
    1 Thessalonians 5:8
    But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
    
13. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:18
    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.
    Hebrews 11:1
    Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
    
14. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 1:3
    Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
    1 Thessalonians 5:8
    But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
    
15. Cross References
    Matthew 20:22
    Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able.
    James 4:3
    You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
    
16. Cross References
    Zechariah 12:10
    And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
    Ephesians 6:18
    Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
    John 14:16
    And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.
    
17. Cross References
    1 Samuel 16:7
    But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on hi...
    1 Chronicles 28:9
    And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your f...
    Proverbs 15:11
    Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord ; ho...
    Proverbs 17:3
    The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is ...
    Jeremiah 11:20
    But, O Lord of hosts, who judges righteously, w...
    Jeremiah 17:10
    "I the Lord search the heart and test the mind,...
    Luke 16:15
    And he said to them, "You are those who justify...
    1 Thessalonians 2:4
    But just as we have been approved by God to be ...
    
18. Cross References
    Romans 8:6
    For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
    
19. Cross References
    Romans 8:34
    Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
    
20. Cross References
    1 John 5:14
    And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.