The Expectation of the Creature
Romans 8:19-23
For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.…


The Greek for "expectation" is one of those admirable words which that language easily forms. It is composed of three elements: κάρα, the head; δοκέω δοκόω δοκέω to wait for, espy; and ἀπό, from, from afar; so "to wait with the head raised and the eye fixed on that point of the horizon from which the expected object is to come." What a plastic representation! An artist might make a statue of hope out of this term. The verb "longeth for" is not less remarkable; it is composed of the simple verb δέχομαι, to receive, and ἐκ, out of the hands of, απο, from, from afar; so "to receive something from the hands of One who extends it to you from afar." The substantive and the verb together vividly describe the attitude of the suffering creation, which in its entirety turns, as it were, an impatient look to the expected future.

(Prof. Godet.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

WEB: For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.




The Expectation of the Creature
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