NOTES for Rom 8:19

Behind these words of apostle Paul stands his perception that the process of creation is not ended yet, but two creative powers act from the creation of man: Divine and human. It is very conformable to the description of the creation in the first two chapters of the book of Genesis (Gen. 1-2), where it is shown that all creation is directed to man, created in God’s image, it is exactly to man that was asked to cultivate and protect any creature of the world (" the garden "), it is exactly man who gives names, that is gives a raison d’être to all other living beings. But man himself, falling into sin, brings changes in the creation conceived by God as “co-œuvre” of God and man. That is why as Paul says in one of the following verses (verse 22): "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now". And doesn’t travail only, but "in earnest expectations waits". What waiting? What Paul speaks of in the previous verse and here, - that in us will open the glory, there will be manifestations, our revelation as sons of God. Wherefore when it will occur, two creative powers of creation will begin to act side by side and the Grace of God will fill the whole world without obstacles.

Thus, Paul's words give a universal meaning to our conversion, to our knowledge of God's will through Jesus Christ, to the transformation of our life by the action the Holy Spirit.