Section 8:18–30

God promises to us help today and glory later

In this section Paul said that the things that cause us suffering are only small compared to the glory that God will give us in the future, renewed world. The created world waits for God to reveal us, his adopted children, in our new bodies, because he will also renew the created world at that time. We and the created world groan waiting for that renewal. Paul then described what hope is.

The Holy Spirit helps us where we are weak. He also helps us to pray and intercedes for us. God causes all things to work for our good. He chose us to become like Jesus in word and deed, and become like him like a brother is like his brother. He chose us before the creation of the world, called us, made us righteous, and has glorified us.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

We wait for God to give glory to us
-or-
Later we will be together with God in his glory
-or-
The Holy Spirit helps us today and God will glorify us in the future

Paragraph 8:18–23

8:18a

The Greek of 8:18a begins with a word that is usually translated as “For.” Here this word introduces a sentence that says more about suffering and glory. It is not clearly introducing an explanation or a result, so many English versions omit this word here, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

I consider: The Greek word here indicates that Paul thought about the sufferings of this present time and decided that what he said in 8:18b–c is true. Here are other ways to translate this word:

In my estimation (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I think
-or-
I know
-or-
I am assured

8:18b

our…sufferings: Here this word refers to things that cause us trouble or pain (physical or emotional). Some scholars think it refers here to all troubles of this life, including those that come to us because we are believers in Jesus. Other scholars think it refers only to the troubles that come to us because we are believers in Jesus. Translate in a way that allows for either interpretation.

present: This phrase refers to life here on earth before Jesus returns. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

during this time here ⌊on earth⌋
-or-
that we experience on this earth

are not comparable to: Here this phrase indicates that our suffering might be very bad, but the benefits of the glory to come will greatly exceed the difficulty of that suffering. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

are as nothing compared to (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
be as if it were just nothing when we (incl.) think of
-or-
are extremely small if we should compare them to
-or-
is a small thing, it cannot be measured against

8:18c

the glory that will be revealed in us: The glory referred to here is the same as in 8:17, where God will give glory to us. Here Paul spoke of God revealing to us exactly what that glory is. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to a glory different than that of 8:17. If that is true in your language, clearly refer to the glory of 8:17. For example:

that glory, which is to be revealed to us
-or-
that glory, and it will be revealed to us ⌊at that time⌋

that will be revealed: The words will be revealed is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

that ⌊God⌋ will reveal

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