Creation to be Liberated
Excerpt
Paul introduces a theme that is basic in Jewish thought, and he relates it to the Christian hope. According to the Genesis account, man and the world in which he lives are so closely bound together that man’s sin brings a curse on the entire created order. According to Jewish thought, the reverse is also true; that is, when man is redeemed the universe in which he lives will share his destiny. Paul personifies the created order and depicts it as waiting with eager longing for that moment to take place. In keeping with his Christian conviction, Paul affirms that it will take place when God reveals his sons. The phrase that the TEV translates God to reveal his sons (so JB) is literally “for the revelation of the sons of God.” The logic behind this translation is in the observation that “revelation” describes an event rather than an object. And so the phrase “revelation of the sons of God” means “God will reveal his sons.” More
Newman, Barclay Moon, and Eugene Albert Nida. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. New York: United Bible Societies, 1973. Print. UBS Handbook Series.
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