Discovery BoxRomans 8:20-24 
Context8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility – not willingly but because of God 1 who subjected it – in hope 8:21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now. 8:23 Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, 2 groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, 3 the redemption of our bodies. 4 8:24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees?
1 tn Grk “because of the one”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
2 tn Or “who have the Spirit as firstfruits.” The genitive πνεύματος (pneumatos) can be understood here as possessive (“the firstfruits belonging to the Spirit”) although it is much more likely that this is a genitive of apposition (“the firstfruits, namely, the Spirit”); cf. TEV, NLT.
3 tn See the note on “adoption” in v. 15.
4 tn Grk “body.”
