Romans:8:21-23
rwp@Romans:8:21 @{The creation itself} (\aut h ktisis\). It is the hope of creation, not of the Creator. Nature "possesses in the feeling of her unmerited suffering a sort of presentiment of her future deliverance" (Godet).
rwp@Romans:8:22 @{Groaneth and travaileth in pain} (\sunstenazei kai sundinei\). Two more compounds with \sun\. Both rare and both here alone in N.T. Nature is pictured in the pangs of childbirth.
rwp@Romans:8:23 @{The first fruits} (\tn aparchn\). Old and common metaphor. {Of the Spirit} (\tou pneumatos\). The genitive of apposition. The Holy Spirit came on the great Pentecost and his blessings continue as seen in the "gifts" in strkjv@1Corinthians:12-14|, in the moral and spiritual gifts of strkjv@Galatians:5:22f|. And greater ones are to come (1Corinthians:15:44ff.|). {Even we ourselves} (\kai autoi\). He repeats for emphasis. We have our "groaning" (\stenazomen\) as well as nature. {Waiting for} (\apekdechomenoi\). The same verb used of nature in verse 19|. {Our adoption} (\huiothesian\). Our full "adoption" (see verse 15|), "the redemption of our body" (\tn apolutrsin tou smatos hmn\). That is to come also. Then we shall have complete redemption of both soul and body.