Romans 8:23
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλὰ
they but
G235
ἀλλὰ
they but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
4 of 24
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοὶ
ourselves
G846
αὐτοὶ
ourselves
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπαρχὴν
the firstfruits
G536
ἀπαρχὴν
the firstfruits
Strong's:
G536
Word #:
8 of 24
a beginning of sacrifice, i.e., the (jewish) first-fruit (figuratively)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματος
of the Spirit
G4151
πνεύματος
of the Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
10 of 24
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
ἔχοντες
which have
G2192
ἔχοντες
which have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
11 of 24
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοὶ
ourselves
G846
αὐτοὶ
ourselves
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἑαυτοῖς
ourselves
G1438
ἑαυτοῖς
ourselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
16 of 24
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
στενάζομεν
groan
G4727
στενάζομεν
groan
Strong's:
G4727
Word #:
17 of 24
to make (intransitively, be) in straits, i.e., (by implication) to sigh, murmur, pray inaudibly
υἱοθεσίαν
for the adoption
G5206
υἱοθεσίαν
for the adoption
Strong's:
G5206
Word #:
18 of 24
the placing as a son, i.e., adoption (figuratively, christian sonship in respect to god)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπολύτρωσιν
to wit the redemption
G629
ἀπολύτρωσιν
to wit the redemption
Strong's:
G629
Word #:
21 of 24
(the act) ransom in full, i.e., (figuratively) riddance, or (specially) christian salvation
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Hebrews 9:28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.Ephesians 1:14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.Ephesians 4:30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.Romans 7:24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?Titus 2:13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;Romans 8:19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.Luke 20:36Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.Galatians 5:5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.1 John 3:2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.Luke 21:28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Historical Context
Gnostic dualism despised the body as prison; salvation meant escape. Paul affirms the body's redemption—Christianity is holistic, redeeming whole persons (body and soul). The early church's insistence on bodily resurrection (despite Greek mockery, Acts 17:32) preserved biblical anthropology against Platonic soul-body dualism.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you experience the tension between possessing the Spirit's "firstfruits" and groaning for consummation?
- What does "redemption of our body" mean practically—how will resurrection bodies differ from present ones?
- How does certainty of bodily resurrection affect how you treat your physical body now?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves (ou mónon, allà kai autoì tḕn aparchḕn toû pneúmatos échontes, kaì hēmeîs autoì en heautoîs stenázomen)—Believers join creation's groaning. Aparchḕn toû pneúmatos ("firstfruits of the Spirit") indicates the Spirit is down payment, guarantee of full inheritance (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14). We have the Spirit now; we await fullness then. The repetition autoì...hēmeîs autoì ("ourselves...we ourselves") is emphatic: even those possessing the Spirit groan.
Waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body (huiothesían apekdechómenoi, tḕn apolútrōsin toû sṓmatos hēmōn)—Huiothesía ("adoption") here is consummation of what began at conversion (v. 15). We are adopted now (legal status) but await adoption's full manifestation (bodily resurrection). Apolútrōsis toû sṓmatos ("redemption of the body") is resurrection—not escape from bodies but transformation of bodies into glorified, immortal state (1 Corinthians 15:42-44; Philippians 3:21).