The First-fruits of the Spirit Romans 8:23

Paul the apostle told the people in Rome, “we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-three of Romans, Paul wrote to his readers about, “the first-fruits of the Spirit” where we read:

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

The verse begins, “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit,...” Paul began with the words, “and not only they” which means “and not solely the creation alone groans and travails”, “but” or “nevertheless, notwithstanding, moreover and” “ourselves also” which refers to “Paul, his companions and his believing readers additionally”, “which have” or “who hold, obtain, claim and procure” “the first-fruits” which means “the beginning and superior productions of the earth which was offered to God” “of the Spirit” which refers to “pertaining to the third person of the triune God or the Holy Spirit who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son”. Paul told his readers how “he, his companions and his believing readers” identify with the “groaning and travailing” “creation” who have “obtained” the “first and best” production of “God's Spirit”.

The verse continues, “... even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Paul continued with the words, “even we ourselves” or “also and indeed “Paul, his companions and his believing readers” “groan” or “are in straits, sigh, grieve, grudge and murmur” “within ourselves” which means “inside of Paul, his companions and his believing readers”, “waiting” or “assiduously and patiently looking and longing” “for the adoption” which means “the blessed state looked for in the future life after the visible return of Christ from heaven”, “to wit” or “that is”, “the redemption” which means “the releasing effected by payment, deliverance and libation which is procured of ransom” “of our body” which refers to “pertaining to the corpse”. Paul shared how he, his companions and his believing readers also “moan within” as they “wait” for God to “deliver them” from their earthly bodies.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how all of “creation” including people who have been filled with “God's Spirit” “groan” to have God “deliver” them. Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33), and until He returns, the earth and the people within it shall long to have Him liberate them. People who have committed their lives to Jesus Christ, repented of their sins, asked Him for forgiveness and made Him “Savior and Lord” of their lives desire to be with Him. One day that hope shall be true, and until then, may all who know the Lord Jesus help others to know Him as well.

Next time Paul tells his readers, “we are saved by hope”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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