The Apostle Paul's Eschatological Intent in a
Soteriological Statement to the Saints in Rome
by Al Maxey
We are all familiar with the concept and practice of adoption, for it is known in virtually every society. Although there are varying customs and laws associated with this practice throughout the world and at various times throughout history, the basic concept is rather constant: it is the choosing of a child, who is not your offspring biologically, for inclusion into your family, and the raising of that child as your own. This is truly an act of self-sacrificial love, one that reflects the very nature of our divine Father. In light of the latter, I find it interesting that one of the synonyms for this term is "election." We are the children of God by divine selection; we are the "elect" of God due to His gracious choice, just as a child is chosen/selected by human parents to be a part of their family, even though that child was not theirs biologically. Little wonder, then, that adoption is a concept employed in the Scriptures to illustrate our immersion into a familial relationship with God the Father. By this divine act of election, this act of grace and love, we become a vital part of His Forever Family. Although Jesus may well be said to be, on at least a human level, the "only begotten" child of God through the impregnation of Mary by the Spirit, He is nevertheless not the only child of God, for such we are by means of adoption into the Father's household! "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1). "God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba, Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir" (Galatians 4:4-7). "Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:4-5). "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26). We are the chosen ones, the elect of God the Father. We are His beloved, pre-selected children: a free gift of grace we receive by faith! "So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son" (Ephesians 1:6). "Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance" (Ephesians 1:11). Therefore, as His beloved sons and daughters, by means of this marvelous action of adoption, we have "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven" for us, just waiting for our arrival (1 Peter 1:4).
This all seems rather clear and straightforward; it is easily grasped, for we are familiar with the concept and practice of adoption. However, there is a statement made by the apostle Paul that has troubled some disciples, for it seems, at least at first glance, to convey a somewhat contradictory concept than that presented above. The troubling passage is found in Romans 8, which is a powerful chapter detailing the awesome power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to transform our lives and conform them to the likeness of Jesus Christ. It is one of my favorite chapters in the New Covenant writings. Yet, it has a few "surprises" theologically with which some seem to struggle. In verses 18-25 of this chapter, Paul speaks of the contrast between our present sufferings in this life and the glorious future the Lord has prepared for His children. It is a future glorification and emancipation that not only we humans long for, but which the creation itself earnestly desires and for which it groans in anticipation (figuratively speaking). Thus, "we ourselves," just like the whole of creation, "groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently" (vs. 23-25). Do you see what has troubled some? In the previous passages noted above, the teaching seemed clearly to be that we are the adopted children of God right now, yet in Romans 8:23 Paul just as clearly states that our "adoption as sons" is something for which "we wait eagerly." It is something for which we all groan in anticipation of receiving, which we hope for, but which we do not yet have in our possession. There seems to be a huge contradiction here, right?! It behooves us, therefore, to take a closer look at what Paul is saying in Romans 8:23.
A few days ago, I received an email from a minister in which he wrote, in part, "Al, I was wondering if you had an article on God's adoption? I had a sermon I wanted to preach, and almost did, until I looked at Romans 8:23. I don't know how I've missed this over all these years that I have been preaching! I thought we were adopted as God's children when we were buried with Him in baptism. But when I read Romans 8:23, and the surrounding context, it certainly looks like our adoption has not yet happened, and won't until the resurrection! Al, I know you are busy, but if you've done some work on this, I would really appreciate a reference to where that work is. I think what has slowed me down is: if this is the way it really is, then what other teachings might be affected? And, do our people really understand God's adoption?! Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this, and thanks for all you do - consistently!" As a companion study to this passage, since there is a bit of a connection, I would suggest a reading of my study on Romans 8:24, for the King James Version has done a tremendous disservice to disciples of Christ by its horrendous rendering of a phrase in that verse ("Salvation by Hope: A Study of Romans 8:24" - Reflections #597).
With regard to this brother's statement, I would personally hesitate, based on my study, to assert that our adoption is acquired at the point of baptism in water. That, once again, tends to elevate this particular act of faith to a sacrament. I would suggest it is by faith that we received this gift of adoption into the Family of God. Nevertheless, this minister's question is a valid one: regardless of the time, place and methodology of our adoption, is our sonship something we already have, or is our adoption by the Father still future? There are many passages, as noted above, that affirm rather forcefully that we are indeed now His children: His beloved sons and daughters; a gift of grace we receive here and now by faith. Yet, the apostle Paul, just as clearly, or so it seems, told the saints in Rome that this adoption is a reality not yet seen or experienced, and is a blessing we "wait for eagerly," as does all of creation, which will receive renewal at that same time. Although this appears to be a contradiction in Paul's teaching (Paul, by the way, is the only NT writer to use the Greek word for "adoption": "huiothesia," which appears only 5 times: Romans 8:15, 23; 9:4; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5), it really is not a contradiction at all. It is merely our failure to perceive that adoption is a process. Even in our own secular societies, we understand that even though we may have selected, chosen a specific child to adopt, and may have filled out some of the paperwork, and may even have the child living in our home, there is still a period of time that will pass before the adoption is finalized. We still view the chosen child as a son or daughter, and relate to them as such, yet we also realize that the fullness and finality of that adoptive process may still be weeks, months, or even years in the future. A very similar situation is the betrothal process of the Jews during the time of Christ. The wedding festivities and feasts are in the future, yet the betrothal state is one in which the couple is viewed as husband and wife (they are even called such - i.e., Joseph and Mary). The fullness of that blessed state, however, is future. Thus, we need to realize that "Adoption as God's act is an eternal process of His gracious love" [The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. 1, p. 55].
God, from the beginning of creation, "elected" His children: His chosen ones. That calling goes out to all, and those who embrace that grace by faith are welcomed into His Family. Thus, by His grace and our faith, we ARE, even now, His adopted sons and daughters. Yet, the FULL and FINAL blessings of our sonship have yet to occur, for, as Paul states in our text, they are tied to our bodily resurrection on that last day. The same is true with the church, the bride of Christ. We are already His beloved bride (we are betrothed to Him), but it is only at His return that His bride (the church; the redeemed of all time) is escorted by Him to the Father, and the wedding feasts then begin. Paul does not deny the fact that we are NOW both the bride of Christ and the sons/daughters of the Father. Neither does he deny that there are blessings inherent in both states that are still future, and for which we eagerly wait. In Romans 8:23, Paul tells us that the full realization of our adoption, and the full experience of its divine blessings, will occur at the coming of the Lord and the bodily resurrection and redemption of our physical bodies. It is then that we gain the inheritance "reserved in heaven" for us; it is then that the fullness of sonship, what we have longed for eagerly as we live our lives in this earthly realm, will be experienced. The Spirit of God at present indwells us, and is transforming us, and is encouraging our hearts and minds with the assurance that we are His children and in a blessed relationship with God. "You have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:15-17). We are His heirs by virtue of being adopted as His sons, yet that inheritance awaits us, as Peter notes! Thus, there are aspects of our adoption, our sonship, that are future! When will this fullness be realized? At the coming of the Lord, at the resurrection, when our bodies are raised, redeemed from the grave, and transformed. THEN that which we now possess in part will be possessed in full. It is this of which Paul speaks in Romans 8:23.
Dr. James Strong, in analyzing this passage, wrote, "In Romans 8:23, the 'adoption' of the believer is set forth as still future, as it there includes the redemption of the body, when the living will be changed and those who have fallen asleep will be raised" [The New Strong's Expanded Dictionary of Bible Words, p. 1423]. "In the eschatological aspect, the entire creation will benefit from the adopted one receiving the deliverance of his body from decay and death (Romans 8:23)" [Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia, vol. 1, p. 27]. Dr. Joseph Henry Thayer, in his Greek-English Lexicon of the NT, informs us that the Greek word for adoption, as it is used by Paul in his epistle to the brethren in Rome, "also includes the blessed state looked for in the future life after the visible return of Christ from heaven; i.e., the consummate condition of the sons of God" [p. 634]. The Greek scholar Dr. Kenneth S. Wuest concurs: "They have already received adoption, and as led by the Spirit are sons of God; but only when their mortal bodies have been quickened, and the corruptible has put on incorruption, will they possess all that sonship involves. For this they wait and sigh, and the inextinguishable hope, born of the Spirit dwelling in them, guarantees its fulfillment" [Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek NT, vol. 1, p. 139]. "The future bodily resurrection of believers will be the full harvest of redemption" [The Expositor's Bible Commentary, vol. 10, p. 95]. "The adoption of Christians is not yet fully realized, for adoption is spoken of in Romans 8:23 as something in the future. It is the redemption of our body, and we are still waiting for it; it can be completely attained only at the general resurrection. The thought closely resembles that of 1 John 3:2 - 'Beloved, now we are children of God, but it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.' Our sonship will then be perfected" [Dr. James Hastings, Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. 1, p. 42]. The apostle John, right after the above quote, continues, "And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:3), which is precisely how Paul continues: "...waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved" (Romans 8:23b-24).
"There is an eager longing for the fuller enjoyment promised. We are alreadyadopted children, but rather in expectation than in realization. When the full adoption comes, we will not have these poor, frail, dying bodies, subject to weakness, sinfulness and decay" [Dr. B. W. Johnson, The People's New Testament, vol. 2, p. 43]. "The adoption process will be finalized when God restores all creation, giving His children resurrection bodies" [Holman Bible Dictionary, p. 21]. This is one of the reasons, quite frankly, that the Good News is tied so intimately to the coming resurrection of our physical bodies (a truth some so-called "Gospel" preachers and teachers are denying; some even suggesting it all happened back in 70 A.D.). Luke informs us that when Paul went forth with the Good News, "he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection" (Acts 17:18). Some didn't like it then, and some don't like it now. In fact, Paul was amazed that some brethren in the city of Corinth were doing this very thing: "How can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead?!" (1 Corinthians 15:12). The Message nailed it here when they have Paul saying to these people, "If there's no resurrection, everything we've told you is smoke and mirrors, and everything you've staked your life on is smoke and mirrors." Our Christian "hope" is not in a maybe, it is in a certainty, and the Spirit within us affirms that truth to our hearts and minds, giving us a confident expectation of what is to come: a resurrection reality that we, and all of creation, await eagerly. Yes, we are sons and daughters of the Father; we are the elect, the chosen, the adopted. We are also heirs, even though that aspect of our sonship remains at present reserved for us in heaven. But, take heart, be filled with hope, there's a great day coming! A "great gettin' up morning," when hope is realized! I can't wait!! "Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens. ... These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting ... and the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along!" (Romans 8:22-26, The Message).
This all seems rather clear and straightforward; it is easily grasped, for we are familiar with the concept and practice of adoption. However, there is a statement made by the apostle Paul that has troubled some disciples, for it seems, at least at first glance, to convey a somewhat contradictory concept than that presented above. The troubling passage is found in Romans 8, which is a powerful chapter detailing the awesome power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to transform our lives and conform them to the likeness of Jesus Christ. It is one of my favorite chapters in the New Covenant writings. Yet, it has a few "surprises" theologically with which some seem to struggle. In verses 18-25 of this chapter, Paul speaks of the contrast between our present sufferings in this life and the glorious future the Lord has prepared for His children. It is a future glorification and emancipation that not only we humans long for, but which the creation itself earnestly desires and for which it groans in anticipation (figuratively speaking). Thus, "we ourselves," just like the whole of creation, "groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently" (vs. 23-25). Do you see what has troubled some? In the previous passages noted above, the teaching seemed clearly to be that we are the adopted children of God right now, yet in Romans 8:23 Paul just as clearly states that our "adoption as sons" is something for which "we wait eagerly." It is something for which we all groan in anticipation of receiving, which we hope for, but which we do not yet have in our possession. There seems to be a huge contradiction here, right?! It behooves us, therefore, to take a closer look at what Paul is saying in Romans 8:23.
A few days ago, I received an email from a minister in which he wrote, in part, "Al, I was wondering if you had an article on God's adoption? I had a sermon I wanted to preach, and almost did, until I looked at Romans 8:23. I don't know how I've missed this over all these years that I have been preaching! I thought we were adopted as God's children when we were buried with Him in baptism. But when I read Romans 8:23, and the surrounding context, it certainly looks like our adoption has not yet happened, and won't until the resurrection! Al, I know you are busy, but if you've done some work on this, I would really appreciate a reference to where that work is. I think what has slowed me down is: if this is the way it really is, then what other teachings might be affected? And, do our people really understand God's adoption?! Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this, and thanks for all you do - consistently!" As a companion study to this passage, since there is a bit of a connection, I would suggest a reading of my study on Romans 8:24, for the King James Version has done a tremendous disservice to disciples of Christ by its horrendous rendering of a phrase in that verse ("Salvation by Hope: A Study of Romans 8:24" - Reflections #597).
With regard to this brother's statement, I would personally hesitate, based on my study, to assert that our adoption is acquired at the point of baptism in water. That, once again, tends to elevate this particular act of faith to a sacrament. I would suggest it is by faith that we received this gift of adoption into the Family of God. Nevertheless, this minister's question is a valid one: regardless of the time, place and methodology of our adoption, is our sonship something we already have, or is our adoption by the Father still future? There are many passages, as noted above, that affirm rather forcefully that we are indeed now His children: His beloved sons and daughters; a gift of grace we receive here and now by faith. Yet, the apostle Paul, just as clearly, or so it seems, told the saints in Rome that this adoption is a reality not yet seen or experienced, and is a blessing we "wait for eagerly," as does all of creation, which will receive renewal at that same time. Although this appears to be a contradiction in Paul's teaching (Paul, by the way, is the only NT writer to use the Greek word for "adoption": "huiothesia," which appears only 5 times: Romans 8:15, 23; 9:4; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5), it really is not a contradiction at all. It is merely our failure to perceive that adoption is a process. Even in our own secular societies, we understand that even though we may have selected, chosen a specific child to adopt, and may have filled out some of the paperwork, and may even have the child living in our home, there is still a period of time that will pass before the adoption is finalized. We still view the chosen child as a son or daughter, and relate to them as such, yet we also realize that the fullness and finality of that adoptive process may still be weeks, months, or even years in the future. A very similar situation is the betrothal process of the Jews during the time of Christ. The wedding festivities and feasts are in the future, yet the betrothal state is one in which the couple is viewed as husband and wife (they are even called such - i.e., Joseph and Mary). The fullness of that blessed state, however, is future. Thus, we need to realize that "Adoption as God's act is an eternal process of His gracious love" [The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. 1, p. 55].
God, from the beginning of creation, "elected" His children: His chosen ones. That calling goes out to all, and those who embrace that grace by faith are welcomed into His Family. Thus, by His grace and our faith, we ARE, even now, His adopted sons and daughters. Yet, the FULL and FINAL blessings of our sonship have yet to occur, for, as Paul states in our text, they are tied to our bodily resurrection on that last day. The same is true with the church, the bride of Christ. We are already His beloved bride (we are betrothed to Him), but it is only at His return that His bride (the church; the redeemed of all time) is escorted by Him to the Father, and the wedding feasts then begin. Paul does not deny the fact that we are NOW both the bride of Christ and the sons/daughters of the Father. Neither does he deny that there are blessings inherent in both states that are still future, and for which we eagerly wait. In Romans 8:23, Paul tells us that the full realization of our adoption, and the full experience of its divine blessings, will occur at the coming of the Lord and the bodily resurrection and redemption of our physical bodies. It is then that we gain the inheritance "reserved in heaven" for us; it is then that the fullness of sonship, what we have longed for eagerly as we live our lives in this earthly realm, will be experienced. The Spirit of God at present indwells us, and is transforming us, and is encouraging our hearts and minds with the assurance that we are His children and in a blessed relationship with God. "You have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:15-17). We are His heirs by virtue of being adopted as His sons, yet that inheritance awaits us, as Peter notes! Thus, there are aspects of our adoption, our sonship, that are future! When will this fullness be realized? At the coming of the Lord, at the resurrection, when our bodies are raised, redeemed from the grave, and transformed. THEN that which we now possess in part will be possessed in full. It is this of which Paul speaks in Romans 8:23.
Dr. James Strong, in analyzing this passage, wrote, "In Romans 8:23, the 'adoption' of the believer is set forth as still future, as it there includes the redemption of the body, when the living will be changed and those who have fallen asleep will be raised" [The New Strong's Expanded Dictionary of Bible Words, p. 1423]. "In the eschatological aspect, the entire creation will benefit from the adopted one receiving the deliverance of his body from decay and death (Romans 8:23)" [Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia, vol. 1, p. 27]. Dr. Joseph Henry Thayer, in his Greek-English Lexicon of the NT, informs us that the Greek word for adoption, as it is used by Paul in his epistle to the brethren in Rome, "also includes the blessed state looked for in the future life after the visible return of Christ from heaven; i.e., the consummate condition of the sons of God" [p. 634]. The Greek scholar Dr. Kenneth S. Wuest concurs: "They have already received adoption, and as led by the Spirit are sons of God; but only when their mortal bodies have been quickened, and the corruptible has put on incorruption, will they possess all that sonship involves. For this they wait and sigh, and the inextinguishable hope, born of the Spirit dwelling in them, guarantees its fulfillment" [Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek NT, vol. 1, p. 139]. "The future bodily resurrection of believers will be the full harvest of redemption" [The Expositor's Bible Commentary, vol. 10, p. 95]. "The adoption of Christians is not yet fully realized, for adoption is spoken of in Romans 8:23 as something in the future. It is the redemption of our body, and we are still waiting for it; it can be completely attained only at the general resurrection. The thought closely resembles that of 1 John 3:2 - 'Beloved, now we are children of God, but it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.' Our sonship will then be perfected" [Dr. James Hastings, Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. 1, p. 42]. The apostle John, right after the above quote, continues, "And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:3), which is precisely how Paul continues: "...waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved" (Romans 8:23b-24).
"There is an eager longing for the fuller enjoyment promised. We are alreadyadopted children, but rather in expectation than in realization. When the full adoption comes, we will not have these poor, frail, dying bodies, subject to weakness, sinfulness and decay" [Dr. B. W. Johnson, The People's New Testament, vol. 2, p. 43]. "The adoption process will be finalized when God restores all creation, giving His children resurrection bodies" [Holman Bible Dictionary, p. 21]. This is one of the reasons, quite frankly, that the Good News is tied so intimately to the coming resurrection of our physical bodies (a truth some so-called "Gospel" preachers and teachers are denying; some even suggesting it all happened back in 70 A.D.). Luke informs us that when Paul went forth with the Good News, "he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection" (Acts 17:18). Some didn't like it then, and some don't like it now. In fact, Paul was amazed that some brethren in the city of Corinth were doing this very thing: "How can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead?!" (1 Corinthians 15:12). The Message nailed it here when they have Paul saying to these people, "If there's no resurrection, everything we've told you is smoke and mirrors, and everything you've staked your life on is smoke and mirrors." Our Christian "hope" is not in a maybe, it is in a certainty, and the Spirit within us affirms that truth to our hearts and minds, giving us a confident expectation of what is to come: a resurrection reality that we, and all of creation, await eagerly. Yes, we are sons and daughters of the Father; we are the elect, the chosen, the adopted. We are also heirs, even though that aspect of our sonship remains at present reserved for us in heaven. But, take heart, be filled with hope, there's a great day coming! A "great gettin' up morning," when hope is realized! I can't wait!! "Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens. ... These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting ... and the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along!" (Romans 8:22-26, The Message).
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