Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 8:23
23. And not only they, but ourselves also—or "not only [so], but even we ourselves"—that is, besides the inanimate creation. which have the first-fruits of the Spirit—or, "the Spirit as the first-fruits" of our full redemption (compare :-), moulding the heart to a heavenly frame and attempering it to its future element. even we ourselves—though we have so much of heaven already within us. groan within ourselves—under this "body of sin and death," and under the manifold "vanity and vexation of... read more
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 8:22
22. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now—If for man's sake alone the earth was cursed, it cannot surprise us that it should share in his recovery. And if so, to represent it as sympathizing with man's miseries, and as looking forward to his complete redemption as the period of its own emancipation from its present sin-blighted condition, is a beautiful thought, and in harmony with the general teaching of Scripture on the subject. (See on :-). read more