Romans 8:22

KJV

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} we know {G1492} that {G3754} the whole {G3956} creation {G2937} groaneth {G4959} and {G2532} travaileth in pain together {G4944} until {G891} now {G3568}.

Complete Jewish Bible

We know that until now, the whole creation has been groaning as with the pains of childbirth;

Berean Standard Bible

We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.

American Standard Version

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 8:22 presents a profound theological truth: the entirety of the created order, from the smallest organism to the vast cosmos, is not exempt from the pervasive effects of sin. Paul vividly portrays this universal impact through the imagery of a collective, agonizing cry and the intense, purposeful pains of childbirth. This suffering is not a sign of futility but rather an expectant longing, a shared anticipation alongside humanity for the ultimate redemption and glorious liberation that awaits in God's future.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 8:22 is situated within a pivotal section of Paul's letter to the Romans, often celebrated as the "Magna Carta of Christian Liberty" or the "chapter of the Holy Spirit." Having established the believer's freedom from condemnation in Christ and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (see [Romans 8:1-17](/romans/8-1-17 "Romans 8:1-17 - Life in the Spirit")), Paul shifts his focus to the future hope and glory that awaits both believers and the wider created order. Verses [Romans 8:18-25](/romans/8-18-25 "Romans 8:18-25 - Future Glory and Present Suffering") form a coherent unit, contrasting present suffering with future glory, emphasizing that creation itself eagerly anticipates the "revealing of the sons of God" ([Romans 8:19](/romans/8-19 "Romans 8:19 - Creation's Eager Expectation")). This verse, therefore, highlights the cosmic scope of God's redemptive plan, extending beyond humanity to encompass the entire physical world, and sets the stage for the Spirit's intercession in [Romans 8:26-27](/romans/8-26-27 "Romans 8:26-27 - The Spirit's Intercession").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul wrote his letter to the church in Rome, a diverse community comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers, likely from Corinth or Cenchreae around AD 57. The concept of a suffering creation would resonate with both backgrounds. For Jewish readers, it would recall the [curse on the ground in Genesis 3:17-19](/genesis/3-17-19 "Genesis 3:17-19 - The Curse on the Ground"), where the earth itself was affected by humanity's sin. For Gentile readers, particularly those familiar with Greco-Roman thought, the idea of creation's state might evoke philosophical discussions about the nature of the cosmos, though Paul's theological framework provides a distinct, biblically rooted perspective. The imagery of "travail" or "birth pains" was a universally understood metaphor for intense, purposeful suffering preceding a significant, often joyous, new beginning. This metaphor was also commonly used in Jewish apocalyptic literature and by Jesus himself to describe the [signs of the end times](/matthew/24-8 "Matthew 24:8 - Birth Pains of the End Times").
* **Key Themes:** Romans 8:22 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Paul's theology and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **cosmic impact of sin**, demonstrating that the consequences of humanity's fall are not confined to human experience but permeate the entire physical world, leading to a state of brokenness and decay. Secondly, it powerfully conveys the theme of **anticipation and hope**, portraying creation's groaning not as a cry of despair but as an intense, purposeful longing for liberation, akin to labor pains preceding new life. This suffering is thus framed as a temporary, necessary stage leading to a glorious future. Thirdly, the verse reinforces the **hope for future glory and restoration**, pointing towards the ultimate renewal of all things, where the present pain will give way to the "freedom of the glory of the children of God" ([Romans 8:21](/romans/8-21 "Romans 8:21 - Creation's Hope for Freedom")). Lastly, the emphasis on "together" highlights the **shared experience** of suffering and hope between humanity and creation, binding them in a common destiny that awaits God's ultimate redemption.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **creation (Greek, _ktísis'_):** From the root `ktízō` (to build, found, create), this term refers to the "original formation" or "the thing created." In this context, it signifies the entire non-human world, the physical cosmos, distinct from humanity but intrinsically linked to its destiny. Paul uses `ktísis` to emphasize the universal scope of the suffering and the subsequent redemption, indicating that not just humans, but the very fabric of the universe, is under the curse of sin and awaits liberation.
* **groaneth (Greek, _systenázō'_):** This compound verb, formed from `sýn` (with, together) and `stenázō` (to groan, sigh deeply), means "to moan jointly" or "to experience a common calamity." It vividly portrays a collective, shared lament, a deep, inarticulate sigh of distress that emanates from all of creation. This groaning is not merely a sound but an expression of profound suffering and longing, mirroring the Spirit's own groaning in intercession for believers ([Romans 8:26](/romans/8-26 "Romans 8:26 - The Spirit's Intercession")).
* **travaileth in pain together (Greek, _synōdínō'_):** Another powerful compound verb, derived from `sýn` (with, together) and `ōdínō` (to have labor pains, travail), meaning "to have (parturition) pangs in company (concert, simultaneously) with." This word paints a striking metaphor of childbirth, where intense, painful contractions precede the bringing forth of new life. It suggests that the present suffering of creation is not meaningless or futile but a purposeful, necessary pain, a "birth pang" leading to a glorious "birth" – the new creation and the manifestation of God's children.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For we know"**: Paul begins with a declaration of confident theological certainty. This is not a speculative thought but an established truth, deeply understood by those who grasp God's redemptive plan. The "we" likely refers to believers who, through the Spirit, have insight into divine realities.
* **"that the whole creation groaneth"**: This clause introduces the cosmic scope of suffering. "The whole creation" (Greek: `pâs ktísis`) signifies every part of the non-human world, from the smallest atom to the most distant galaxy. The verb "groaneth" (Greek: `systenázō`) personifies creation, attributing to it a deep, collective sigh or moan of distress, indicative of its current state of brokenness and subjection to futility, a direct consequence of the Fall.
* **"and travaileth in pain together"**: This phrase intensifies the imagery of suffering, employing the powerful metaphor of childbirth. "Travaileth in pain together" (Greek: `synōdínō`) describes the intense, agonizing contractions experienced during labor. The "together" emphasizes that this experience is shared by all of creation, binding it with humanity in a common, purposeful suffering. This pain is not terminal but anticipatory, a necessary precursor to new life and a glorious birth.
* **"until now."**: This concluding phrase provides a crucial temporal marker. It highlights the present reality of creation's ongoing suffering, indicating that this state has persisted since the Fall. However, "until now" also implies a future cessation, a definite end point to this period of groaning and travail, pointing forward to the coming redemption and renewal.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent literary devices in Romans 8:22 to convey his profound theological message. The most prominent is **Personification**, where the inanimate "whole creation" is given human attributes: it "groaneth" and "travaileth in pain." This device makes an abstract concept tangible and evokes empathy, allowing the reader to grasp the depth of creation's suffering as if it were a sentient being. Closely related is the **Metaphor** of childbirth, specifically "travailing in pain." This powerful image transforms suffering from a sign of futility into a purposeful, hopeful process. Just as labor pains precede the joyous arrival of new life, creation's agony is depicted as the necessary prelude to its glorious liberation and the birth of a renewed cosmos. The phrase "the whole creation" also functions as **Hyperbole** or **Cosmic Scope**, emphasizing the universal and pervasive nature of sin's effects, extending beyond humanity to every corner of the physical world. This highlights the vastness of God's redemptive plan, which encompasses not only humanity but all of creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 8:22 underscores the profound theological truth that the effects of humanity's fall in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall") were not limited to human beings but permeated the entire created order. The "curse" on the ground ([Genesis 3:17-19](/genesis/3-17-19 "Genesis 3:17-19 - The Curse on the Ground")) subjected creation to futility, causing it to share in the brokenness introduced by sin. This verse reveals that creation is not merely a passive backdrop but an active participant in the cosmic drama of sin and redemption, eagerly awaiting its own liberation. It connects the present groaning of the world to the ultimate hope of a renewed cosmos, where the pain of this age will give way to the glorious freedom of God's children and the restoration of all things. This future hope is not a distant, detached concept but an active, present reality, shaping our understanding of suffering and our role in God's redemptive plan.

* [Romans 8:19](/romans/8-19 "Romans 8:19 - Creation's Eager Expectation")
* [Romans 8:26](/romans/8-26 "Romans 8:26 - The Spirit's Intercession")
* [Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - A New Heaven and New Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 8:22 offers a profound perspective on suffering, reminding us that the pain we experience, both personally and globally, is not meaningless but part of a larger, purposeful process. It reframes suffering as "labor pains," a temporary, intense period preceding the glorious "birth" of a new creation. This understanding can cultivate a resilient hope within believers, enabling us to endure present difficulties with the assurance that they are leading to a promised future of complete restoration. Furthermore, this verse calls us to a deeper sense of responsibility for the created world. Recognizing that creation itself groans under the weight of sin should inspire us to be faithful stewards of the environment, participating in its care as an act of worship and anticipation of its ultimate redemption. Our hope is not merely for personal salvation but for the renewal of all things, aligning our lives with God's comprehensive redemptive purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding creation's "groaning" change your perspective on the suffering and brokenness you witness in the world?**
* **In what ways can you actively participate in caring for creation as an expression of your hope in God's ultimate redemption?**
* **How does the metaphor of "birth pains" encourage you to endure present difficulties with a future-oriented hope?**

### FAQ
**Does Romans 8:22 imply that creation is sentient and consciously feels pain?**

Answer: While the language of "groaning" and "travailing in pain" is highly personified, it does not necessarily imply that creation possesses human-like consciousness or sentience in the way humans do. Rather, Paul uses this vivid imagery to convey the profound impact of sin on the entire created order. The "groaning" represents the objective state of brokenness, decay, and futility to which creation was subjected as a consequence of humanity's fall ([Romans 8:20](/romans/8-20 "Romans 8:20 - Creation Subjected to Futility")). It is a cosmic echo of the curse in [Genesis 3:17-19](/genesis/3-17-19 "Genesis 3:17-19 - The Curse on the Ground"), where the ground itself was cursed. The "pain" is purposeful, like labor pains, signifying an intense, expectant longing for liberation from this bondage to corruption, anticipating the glorious freedom that will come with the full redemption of God's children. Thus, it's a theological statement about creation's objective condition and its eschatological hope, rather than an assertion of its conscious suffering.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 8:22, with its depiction of a groaning creation awaiting liberation, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is not only the Redeemer of humanity but also the one through whom and for whom all things were created ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - All Things Created Through Christ")). His atoning death on the cross and triumphant resurrection are the foundational acts that secure not only human salvation but also the cosmic redemption of the entire created order. Just as sin's curse impacted all of creation, Christ's redemptive work is equally comprehensive, extending to "reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross" ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). He is the "firstborn from the dead" ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ, Head of the Body")), the inaugurator of the new creation, and the one who will ultimately "make all things new" ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - God Makes All Things New")). The groaning of creation, therefore, is a testament to the ongoing efficacy of Christ's work, a purposeful pain that will culminate in the glorious revelation of God's children and the complete restoration of a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells and there will be no more curse ([Revelation 22:3](/revelation/22-3 "Revelation 22:3 - No More Curse")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 12:4

How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.

Jeremiah 12:11

They have made it desolate, [and being] desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth [it] to heart.

John 16:21

A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

Romans 8:20

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope,

Colossians 1:23

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, [and] which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Revelation 12:2

And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

Mark 16:15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.