Audio commentary on this verse

Note 2 at Rom. 8:19: The two English words "earnest expectation" were translated from the Greek word "apokaradokia." The word was only used twice in the New Testament (here and Phil. 1:20). This is a compound word meaning "intense anticipation" or as other scholars have translated it, "to strain forward" or lit. "await with outstretched head" (Sanday and Headlam); "to expect on and on, to the end" (Cremer). Fritz Rienecker says this word "denotes diversion from all other things and concentration on a single object."

Therefore, this verse makes it very clear that the whole creation is eagerly and intensely anticipating the day when the glory of God that is already deposited within God's saints (see note 1 at Rom. 8:18, p. 797) will be revealed. That day won't completely arrive until the second return of the Lord. but it is logical to think that creation rejoices to some degree every time some saint manifests His glory here on this earth.

Note 3 at Rom. 8:19: The Greek word "ktisis" was translated creature in verses 1921. This same word was translated "creation" in verse 22. It literally means "that which is created."

Note 4 at Rom. 8:19: The American Heritage Dictionary defines manifestation as, "the demonstration of the existence, reality, or presence of a person, object, or quality." You cannot manifest something that does not already exist. As the apostle John said, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be . . ." (1 Jn. 3:2). We are already the sons of God. This is not something that has yet to transpire. The whole creation is waiting for us to manifest what is already in us (see note 1 at Rom. 8:18, p. 797).