Romans 8:20-22
Was subjected ( υπεταγη ). Second aorist passive indicative of υπατασσω (cf. verse 7).To vanity ( τη ματαιοτητ ). Dative case. Rare and late word, common in LXX. From ματαιος, empty, vain. Eph 4:17; 2Pe 2:18.
Not of its own will ( ουχ εκουσα ). Common adjective, in N.T. only here and 1Co 9:27. It was due to the effect of man's sin.
But by reason of him ( αλλα δια τον ). Because of God.
In hope that ( εφ' ελπιδ οτ ). Note the form ελπιδ rather than the usual ελπιδ and so εφ'. Hοτ can be causal "because" instead of declarative "that."
The creation itself ( αυτη η κτισις ). It is the hope of creation, not of the Creator. Nature "possesses in the feeling of her unmerited suffering a sort of presentiment of her future deliverance" (Godet).
Groaneth and travaileth in pain ( συνστεναζε κα συνωδινε ). Two more compounds with συν. Both rare and both here alone in N.T. Nature is pictured in the pangs of childbirth.
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