Audio commentary on this verse

Note 2 at Ro 8:19: The two English words "earnest expectation" were translated from the Greek word "APOKARADOKIA." This Greek word was only used twice in the New Testament (here and Php 1:20). This is a compound word meaning "intense anticipation" (Strong's Concordance). Other scholars have translated it as "to strain forward," "a watching with outstretched head" (Vine's Expository Dictionary), and "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 all of 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 Ro 8:18) will be revealed. That day won't completely arrive until the Second Coming of the Lord, but it is logical to think that creation rejoices to some degree every time a saint manifests His glory here on this earth.

Note 3 at Ro 8:19: The Greek word "KTISIS" was translated "creature" in Ro 8:19-21. This same word was translated "creation" in Ro 8:22. It literally means "original formation (properly, the act; by implication, the thing, literally or figuratively)" (Strong's Concordance).

Note 4 at Ro 8:19: The American Heritage Dictionary defines "manifestation" as "an indication of the existence or presence of something." Something that does not already exist cannot be manifested. As the Apostle John said, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be" (1Jo 3:2). We are already the sons of God. This is not something that has yet to transpire. All of creation is waiting for us to manifest what is already in us (see note 1 at Ro 8:18).